• Saturday 20th December 2015 SOSSA PELAGIC TRIP, KIAMA, NSW, AUSTRALIA.

    BOAT TRIP DATA SHEET
    SOSSA (02) 4271 6004 FAX (02) 4272 4626 PO Box 142 Unanderra NSW 2526
    email sossa@tpg.com.au
    Date / Month 19th December 2015 Recorded by Lindsay Smith
    Counting method (circle) 270o 270 o bow other (specify)
    Location
    Air temp Water temp In Shore 19-20 Off Shore 24
    Air pressure Cloud cover
    Wind speed and direction N.E. 20 -25 knots Sea conditions Low swell 1-1.5mtrs from the East

    Comments
    Given the favourable weather and sea conditions and expected seasonal influx of tropical species failed to materialise. This particular trip was one of the quietest trips on record with very low numbers of birds recorded in general. Species diversity was also very low and most unusual for this time of the year.


    Grey-faced Petrel.

    After reviewing images of a possible Black Petrel (Procellaria parkinsoni), it was determined that the bird in question was not that species but was confirmed to be a Grey-faced Petrel (Pterodroma gouldi) the New Zealand breeding form of the Great-winged Petrel.


    Flesh-footed Shearwater.

    Species List
    Sp No Species Number
    075 Great-winged Petrel, Pterodroma macroptera 6
    069 Wedge-tailed Shearwater, Puffinus pacificus 40
    072 Flesh-footed Shearwater, Puffinus carneipes 3
    071 Short-tailed Shearwater, Puffinus tenuirostris 10
    Shy Albatross, Thalassarche cauta spp 1
    091 Shy Albatross, Thalassarche cauta 1
    100 Little Pied Cormorant, Phalacrocorax melanoleucos 1
    106 Australian Pelican, Pelicanus conspicillatus 1
    945 Pomarine Jaeger, Stercorarius pomarinus 3
    128 Arctic Jaeger, Stercorarius parasiticus 2
    125 Silver Gull, Larus novaehollandiae <10
    115 Crested Tern, Sterna bergii 6