13 May 2023 Report

OVERVIEW

18C, Overcast, storm system, producing lightening and water spouts, lingered ~5NM off Long Reef throughout the day. Multiple water spouts were observed from the seaward side of the system. Another storm system developed to the south while we were at the shelf. Rain squalls also encountered. Wind: stronger then forecast, reaching 20 knots on the way out. Settled once we were at the shelf. Sea surface temps: 21C. 1.5-2m seas.

A drift was set up at the shelf around 10:30am. The boat drifted WSW at around 0.5 knots/hr. Silver Gulls followed us all the way from the heads to the shelf. We picked up a Black-browed then a Campbell Albatross around 12NM which followed us to the shelf. Two very distant albatrosses remained unidentified due to the squalls. Other albatross spp. joined us at the shelf. Providence Petrels encountered at the shelf as expected. Short-tailed Shearwater joined the boat at the shelf.

BIRD LIST

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

Wilson's Storm Petrel20(14)
Indian Yellow-nosed Albatross5(4)
Buller's Albatross10(5)
Shy Albatross8(2)
Black-browed Albatross11
Campbell Albatross5(4)
Wandering Albatross (Gibson's)3(3)
Providence Petrel9(5)
Wedge-tailed Shearwater2
Short-tailed Shearwater 2(1)
Fluttering-type Shearwaters1
Australasian Gannet18(6)
Silver Gull120(90)
Greater Crested Tern8

OTHER

White shark1

The next Sydney pelagic trip is scheduled for Saturday 20th May 2023 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


(Photographs Dave Irving, Matthew Egan and Greg McLachlan).

Dave Irving
bird

Dave Irving
bird

Dave Irving
bird

Dave Irving
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Dave Irving
bird

Dave Irving
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Mathew Egan
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Mathew Egan
bird

Greg McLachlan
bird

Greg McLachlan
bird

Greg McLachlan
bird

Greg McLachlan
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