13 June 2026 Report

OVERVIEW

Fine, some cloud cover, 21C. 10 knot northerly winds increased to 15 knots at drift. Seas to <0.5m, increasing. 20C sea surface temperatures.

TRIP SUMMARY

As we left the heads we were met with relatively calm conditions. The wind gained strength by the time we reached the drift where it increased to 15 knots.

The first Albatrosses encountered were some 8NM offshore. Fortunately the birds were hungry so they continued to follow us on the outward leg. Around 12 NM we picked up an Indian Yellow-nosed Albatross which joined the few Black-browed Albtrosses we had in tow. Before 15NM we had four Indian Yellow-nosed Albatrosses. The only Buller's Albatross for the day made an appearance around 3/4 of the way out. It didn't hang around for long.

While on the journey out a Northen Giant-Petrel came in for a feed. We stopped the boat briefly to give everyone onboard a chance to see the bird. By about 18NM the Albatross numbers had dropped off to zero. Fortunately we encountered the first of the many Providence Petrels we were to see during the day.

At the shelf we set up the usual drift. There were quite a few fishing boats in the area but no birds. We did manage to conjure up a handful of Providence Petrels which worked the slick. A distant Grey-faced Petrel frustrated us as it was seen briefly but couldn't be enticed to come closer. Eventually a Storm-Petrel was spotted. It turned out to be a Wilson's. A little later a Pintado Petrel was seen zig-zagging from down wind. It was to hang around our slick for the remainder of the time at the drift. The only Albatross at the drift was a lone adult Campbell.

The return leg was a repeat of the journey out but in reverse. Near the heads we stopped to watch the handful of Humpback whales putting on a show. The other cetacean species was a pod of Pantropical spotted dolphins.

BIRD LIST

(Note that the numbers in parentheses represent the approximate maximum number of that species in view at one time)

Silver Gull	3	(2)
Greater Crested Tern	45	(35)
Indian Yellow-nosed Albatross	6	(4)
Buller's Albatross	1	(1)
Black-browed Albatross	9	(6)
Campbell Albatross	2	(2)
Wilson's Storm Petrel	2	(2)
Northern Giant Petrel	1
Pintado Petrel	1	(1)
Grey-faced Petrel	1	(1)
Providence Petrel	25	(12)
Fluttering-type Shearwaters	1
Australasian Gannet	22	(6)

OTHER

Spotted Dolphin	25
Humpback Whale	10

The next Sydney pelagic trip is scheduled for Saturday 11 July 2026 departing from Mosman at 6.45am and Double Bay at 7.00am.
All information on our trips including dates and contact details can be found on the website at sydneypelagics.info
Book at contact@sydneypelagics.info
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