• 12th February 2000, Sydney, Pelagic Trip Report, Sydney, NSW, Australia

    Sydney, NSW Pelagic Trip Report 12th February 2000

    Conditions,
    Departed at 7.15 am and returned at approx. 3.30 pm.
    Sea Conditions: Mainly Calm.
    Weather: Overcast
    Wind: Light winds to 10 Knots
    Water temperature 24.4 degrees C on the shelf
    Stopped at 34 00' x 151 30'


    Summary,
    As is often the case with February trips there were lots of Shearwater's - mainly Wedge-tailed and flesh-foots with feeding flocks of hundreds seen on the shelf. Great-winged Petrel numbers were thought to be less than usual with numbers estimated to be less than 50 for the day. Highlights included Tahiti Petrel of which two birds were seen (although they could have been the same individual), Gould's Petrel and Buller's Shearwater. Excellent views of SPOTTED DOLPHIN was an exciting mammal tick for most. These dolphins are particularly difficult to identify as the spots are not always visible. The tail shape, size, white lips and white tip to the beak helped to clench the identification.

    Birds,
    (Note: numbers in brackets = highest count at any one time)

    005 Little Penguin 1 (in the harbour)
    073 Great-winged Petrel 150-200+ (100+)
    078 Gould's Petrel 1
    920 TAHITI PETREL 1-2 (1)
    068 Fluttering Shearwater 4
    913 Hutton's Shearwater 8
    000 Flesh-footed Shearwater 600+
    075 Buller's Shearwater 1
    069 Wedge-tailed Shearwater 1000+
    070 Sooty Shearwater 4-5 (2)
    071 Short-tailed Shearwater 2
    115 Crested Tern 10+ (7)
    125 Silver Gull 50+ mostly in the harbour
    129 Pomarine Jaeger 8
    128 Arctic Jaeger 3
    000 Australian Darter 1
    099 Pied Cormorant 2
    106 Australian Pelican 4

    Mammals,
    SPOTTED DOLPHIN 10+