16 July 2023 Report

OVERVIEW

18C. Seas: Up to 15 knots decreasing to 5-10 knots. Sea surface temps: 18C at shelf.

We had a solid Winter's day on this rescheduled pelagic. There were good numbers of Indian Yellow-nosed Albatross encountered throughout the day. Buller's, Campbell, Black-browed and Shy Albatrosses were also seen with the single adult Campbell Albatross for the day added some 2NM off the heads on the return leg.

The highlight of the trip of course was an adult (or near) ATLANTIC YELLOW-NOSED ALBATROSS which joined us at the shelf soon after we'd set up a drift. We already had some 20 IYNA around the boat when the bird flew in accompanied by a few more IYNAs. Fortunately the albatross remained near the boat until we left the shelf, either on the water or circling us in flight.

The only pterodromas for the day were a dozen Providence Petrels, all seen beyond the shelf drop-off. The expected fluttering-type shearwaters were illusive with most encounters being of very distant individuals or pairs. All seen in shallower waters. A single Hutton's SW was identified though.

After setting up drifts over two hours and not seeing any new species we decided to head back into shallower waters where we added six Brown Skuas in one hit at around the 12NM mark. That tally grew to nine by the end of the trip. A diving-petrel (probably Common) was briefly seen (18NM) some distance from the boat but couldn't be relocated despite a short detour. Many Aus Gannets of varying ages seen as well. A marlin, Risso's dolphins and breaching Humpbacks added to an excellent day on the water. A BARC submission for the AYNA is being prepared for review.

BIRD LIST

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

ATLANTIC YELLOW-NOSED ALBATROSS	1	(1)
Indian Yellow-nosed Albatross	36	(22)
Buller's Albatross	5	(2)
Shy Albatross	2	(1)
Black-browed Albatross	11	(4)
Campbell Albatross	1	(1)
Providence Petrel	12	(6)
Hutton's Shearwater	1
Fluttering-type Shearwaters	11	(3)
Australasian Gannet	55	(10)
Brown Skua	9	(6)
Silver Gull	150	(70)
Greater Crested Tern	18	(6)

OTHER

Humpback Whale
Risso's Dolphin	2
Marlin

The next Sydney pelagic trip is scheduled for Saturday 22nd July 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 David Mitford, Martin Allen, Meysam Makvindi and Greg McLachlan).

David Mitford
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