| - 1 SPECTACLED PETREL
- 1 PINTADO PETREL
The last pelagic trip of the year was all set to be cancelled,
as the winds have been unbelievably strong in the Cape. However,
early on the morning 27 December, the skipper made the call
that we would attempt a trip, and hope that conditions were
at the best end of the predicted spectrum. Not even the recreational
fishing boats were heading out, a decision they would ultimately
rue! The bay was relatively calm, but the gale force winds
the previous 48 hours had driven some interesting birds inside.
We had around 20 Sooty Shearwaters and two Cory’s Shearwaters
before the point. But the real highlight was a dispersed school
of Common and Dusky dolphins cavorting near the point, bow-riding,
leaping out of the water and generally entertaining us! We
also encountered (relatively) huge numbers of Sooties just
beyond the point.
Conditions heading out to the deep were pretty rough and
a bit uncomfortable, but everyone on board was keen to keep
going so we persevered. Out luck was in, for we were heading
straight towards a trawler. We arrived a few minutes after
she had hauled her nests, and were greeted with hundreds of
albatrosses and hundreds of smaller seabirds tucking in to
the processed discards. We were able to get good views of
almost all the regular species for this time of year, although
there was only one of each Yellow-nosed albatross about, and
low numbers of Grear Shearwaters. Interestingly there were
no SubAntarctic Skuas and no Great-winged Petrels. However,
a lone PINTADO PETREL was very confiding and was an instant
favourite for the trip!
On the way home we passed a raft of White-chinned Petrels,
which took-off as we sped by. Our luck was definitely in,
as we were able to get a brief but conclusive view of a SPECTACLED
PETREL! We kept our sights on the bird amongst the flock of
its cousins and were able to chase it down and get a second
good look, before it turned into the wind and we had to let
it go. It was great to see this species again, and a nice
bonus on possibly the luckiest, definitely the pluckiest pelagic
trip of 2005!
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