12 August 2023 Report

OVERVIEW

19C. Fine. 5-10 knot winds. 1m seas. 18.8C sea surface temperatures.

It was a case of lightening striking twice on Saturday's pelagic off Sydney. Along with last month's ATLANTIC YELLOW-NOSED ALBATROSS we encountered another on this trip, once again at the shelf. The bird appears to be a different individual to the one seen in July. Otherwise it was a solid winter's trip with seven species of Albatrosses including Indian Yellow-nosed, Buller's, Campbell, Black-browed, Shy as well as a distant Wanderer. Providence Petrel at the shelf along with White-faced and Wilson's storm-petrels and Fairy Prions. Brown Skuas seen in deeper waters. Both Fluttering and Hutton's Shearwaters were seen midway to the shelf. The first Wedge-tailed Shearwaters of the season were encountered individually but in deeper waters. A BARC submission is being compiled for the AYNA.

BIRD LIST

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

Wilson's Storm Petrel	1	(1)
White-faced Storm Petrel	1	(1)
ATLANTIC YELLOW-NOSED ALBATROSS	1	(1)
Indian Yellow-nosed Albatross	7	(3)
Buller's Albatross	5	(2)
Shy Albatross	6	(2)
Black-browed Albatross	36	(25)
Campbell Albatross	1	(1)
Wandering Albatross (Gibson's)	1	(1)
Providence Petrel	9	(5)
Wedge-tailed Shearwater	4	(1)
Fluttering Shearwater	1
Fluttering-type Shearwaters	3	(3)
Fairy Prion	4	(4)
Australasian Gannet	28	(10)
Brown Skua	5	(2)
Silver Gull	38	(25)
White-fronted Tern	2
Greater Crested Tern	6	(3)

OTHER

Humpback Whale
Minke sp.
Short-fin mako	1

The next Sydney pelagic trip is scheduled for Saturday 26th August 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