Sections
CalendarDark-phased Pomarine Jaeger
Seas were slight, mostly a 1 metre swell, with the occasional higher set. Water temperature was 26.1 degrees at the shelf. For much of the morning it was 100% cloud cover and quite dull. In the afternoon there were occasional sunny periods. Winds were mostly below 10 knots.
Light-phased Pomarine Jaeger
The first chumming point was 32km east-north-east of Kiama Harbour, off Shellharbour, in 550 fathoms. The second was 27km offshore, off Minnamurra in 200 fathoms.
Species list
Birds
Wedge-tailed Shearwater - 300 (50) Scarce in the morning, but numbers built up from the second chumming point. Good numbers followed the boat back in.
Fluttering type Shearwaters - 10+ (4) Most thought to be Hutton's rather than Fluttering.
Hutton's Shearwater - 2+ (1) At least 2 were positively identified on the way back in.
Fluttering Shearwater - 1+ (1) At least 1 was positively identified on the way back in.
Buller's Albatross - 5 (1) Based on photos there were at least 2 individuals involved. Individual birds were seen at time throughout the day, both inshore and in pelagic waters.
Australian Gannet - 10+ (3) Both juveniles and adults, mainly inshore on the way out. Only 1 juvenile sighted on the way back in.
Crested Tern - 15 (3)
Black-browed Albatross - 1 (1) 1 adult sighted at the 1st chumming point. It came into the boat but didn't stay for long. Definitley Black-browed rather than Campbell's.
Indian Yellow-nosed Albatross - 1 (1) 1 adult sighted half way to the shelf in the am. It didn't stop.
Flesh-footed Shearwater - 40 (7) A few sighted on the way out and there were constantly low numbers of Flesh-footed Shearwaters around throughout the day.
Shy Albatross - 12 (3) Individuals around throughout the day. Maximum of 3 at the 2nd chumming point.
Short-tailed Shearwater - 4 (1) Sightings both inshore and pelagic.
Solanders Petrel - 20 (5) The first sighting was when we crossed the shelf. The majority were around the boat at the first chumming point. Many were in fresh plumage.
Grey-faced Petrel - 5 (2) Primarily seen at the second chumming point.
Pomerine Jaeger - 3 (2) A single Dark Phase and a Light Phased bird at the 2nd chumming point. Another Light Phased bird followed the boat back in.
Wilson's Storm-petrel - 7 (3) First sighted at the end of the 1st chumming point. They were also around at the 2nd point.
Sooty Shearwater - 1 (1) 1 sighted on the way back in.
Indian Yellow-nosed Albatross
Mammals
Common Dolphins 4+
Oceanic Botte-nosed Dolphins 3+