9 March 2019 Report

OVERVIEW

The forecast released late on the previous day showed the conditions to be marginal tending toward more favourable conditions in the afternoon. The prediction changed overnight. The updated forecast showed wind speeds to fall within the 10-15 knot range for most of the day with wave height up to 2 m however the on-sea conditions were quite different which forced us to turn back earlier than expected. We did however make it to the shelf. Sea surface temperatures were in the 24-25 deg C range with associated strong currents. Despite the conditions the birds were hungry and eager to follow the boat throughout the day.

TRIP SUMMARY

We motored away from Rose Bay aboard the MV Avalon just after 7am with a full complement of passengers on somewhat sloppy Harbour waters. A few Silver Gull came along for the journey out. Not long after leaving the relative safety of the Harbour we were greeted by half a dozen Great Cormorant rafting on the water. We had a similar experience on the previous pelagic. Soon after we encountered the first of the many Wedge-tailed Shearwater which were to be a constant presence throughout the day along with a Pomarine Jaeger.

We continued with the berley drawing the hungry contingent of Shearwater along with us. Once we were well underway and committed to the conditions Flesh-footed Shearwater joined the assemblage. The odd Australasian Gannet was seen well behind the boat with one individual venturing closer and cruising overhead. Short-tailed Shearwater were also seen briefly. Approaching the shelf a Noddy was seen off the port side well away from the boat. It turned out to be a Common Noddy. Grey-faced Petrel were now making an appearance with most staying clear of the boat. While continuing to motor around the shelf a swallow species was spotting flitting its way towards the boat only to quickly disappear after passing overhead. The conditions were atrocious. It was decided to turn around.

On the return journey the mix of Wedge-tailed Shearwater, Flesh-footed Shearwater and Pomarine Jaegers continued to follow eager to grab any of the available berley. Sooty Shearwater as well as Fluttering and fluttering-type Shearwaters were also seen. After several hours of beating our way through the seas we made it to the calmer waters of the Harbour. The trip turned out to be the last trip aboard the Avalon as we are moving to a new boat, the Sea Eagle.

BIRD LIST

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

Grey-faced Petrel	10	(4)
Wedge-tailed Shearwater	300	(150)
Flesh-footed Shearwater	40	(25)
Short-tailed Shearwater	6	(2)
Sooty Shearwater	1	(1)
Fluttering Shearwater	1	(1)
Fluttering-type Shearwaters	2	(1)
Australasian Gannet	3	(2)
Pomarine Jaeger	8	(4)
Common Noddy	1	(1)
Silver Gull	30	(20)
Greater Crested Tern	10	(4)

OTHER

The next Sydney pelagic trip is scheduled for Saturday 13th April 2019 departing from Mosman at 6.45am and Rose 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
You can also find us on Facebook and post photos at https://www.facebook.com/sydneypelagics

(Many thanks to Roksana & Terry and Prue Reid for photographs).

Roksana & Terry
bird