| - 3 PINTADO PETRELS
- 60 SOUTHERN GIANT PETRELS
- 10 GREAT-WINGED PETRELS
After another week of howling southeasters, the winds finally
calmed sufficiently for us to depart Simon’s Town harbour
on a Cape Town Pelagics trip, led by Ross Wanless. The almost
obligatory flocks of terns, cormorants and gannets just beyond
the point produced great views of two Arctic Skuas (both morphs),
a single Pomarine Skua, and a handful of Sooty Shearwaters.
About 10 miles off the point cetacean blows were sighted,
and we cautiously approached the area. We were treated to
a 15 minute spectacle of great rarity as a pod (10-15) of
the extremely elusive, ghost-like Risso’s Dolphins cruised
around our boat. These huge, scarred and pale dolphins could
easily be seen underwater from 30 m away, as their almost
white bodies seemed to glow electric blue in contrast to the
surrounding grey waters.
With some apprehension we headed beyond the 20 nm mark without
sight or suggestion on radars of trawlers. Skipper Dave Christie
got on to the radio and fortunately we were guided by some
recreational fishermen in the direction of what was probably
the only trawler within 12 miles. As we neared we began to
pick up more pelagic species, and somewhat unusually an Atlantic
Yellow-nosed Albatross was the first albatross for the day.
Our arrival was timed to perfection, for we got to the Boronia
just as she was hauling her nets. Soon we were in the thick
of things as hundreds of birds converged to compete for the
spoils. Everyone enjoyed watching huge Yellowfin Tuna breaking
the surface right behind the trawl bag, taking the fish as
they popped out of the nets. Highlights for the day included
at least three very late (over-summering?) Pintado Petrels,
excellent, close-up views of more than 10 Great-winged Petrels
and the most Southern Giant Petrels I have ever seen at one
time in these waters. There being no other vessels in the
vicinity, we trailed the Boronia until it was time to head
home, well satisfied with excellent numbers of birds seen,
including great views of all the usuals and some specials.
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