• 8th September 2001, Sydney, Pelagic Trip Report, Sydney, NSW, Australia

    Sydney, NSW Pelagic Trip Report 8th September 2001

    Conditions:
    Departed 7.15am and returned approx 2.30pm, NE winds to 25 knots more Westerly in the afternoon. Swell 2 Metres, fine. Ocean Temperature not measured but locals inform that sea temp is very warm for this time of year, particularly beyond the shelf. Primary chumming location S 33.57' – E 151.30'

    Summary:
    Somewhat choppy conditions, but a pleasant day, which turned out to be particularly rewarding due to Hal's chumming skills. The day started with a handful of Fluttering shearwaters and a few Wedge-tailed Shearwaters just outside the heads. A Wandering Albatross made a brief appearance in the distance but the real highlight was a very confiding juvenile Grey-headed Albatross. Also of interest was a first year Arctic Tern this bird was not seen well but the upperparts, short black bill, lack of a carpel bar and the white tail and rump strongly suggests this species. Very low numbers of Albatross and no Cape Petrels or Giant Petrels, being unusual for this time of year.

    Birds:
    Species code: Species name: Numbers:
    (Note: numbers in parenthesis = highest count at any one time)

    971 Providence Petrel 7-10+ (2+)
    083 Fairy Prion 3 (1)
    068 Fluttering Shearwater 20+ (10+)
    913 Hutton's Shearwater 2 (1)
    000 Fluttering/ Huttons Type unidentified 20+
    068 Wedge-tailed Shearwater 200+ (100+)
    072 Flesh-footed Shearwater 2 (1)
    847 Wandering Albatross 1 (stage 4 probably gibsoni)
    088 Black-browed Albatross 3 (1)
    091 Shy Albatross 1
    864 Yellow-nosed Albatross 26 (6)
    090 GREY-HEADED ALBATROSS 1 (1st year bird)
    065 White-faced Storm-Petrel 1
    104 Australasian Gannet 22 (17)
    980 Brown Skua 4 (2)
    981 Kelp Gull 3 (3)
    125 Silver Gull 100+ (50+)
    952 ARCTIC TERN 1 (1st year bird)
    115 Crested Tern 58 (35)

    In the harbour
    106 Australian Pelican 4
    Great Cormorant 1

    Mammals,
    Fur Seal 1
    Whale Sp - Possibly Hump-backed Whale 1-2

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