NSW, Sydney pelagic on Hal Epstein’s Halicat, 8th December 2012 (full report and link to pictures)

Sydney pelagic on Hal Epstein’s Halicat, 8th December 2012   A lingering, short ENE swell to 2 m made the ride a little uncomfortable. As predicted the winds built up slowly in strength from NE during the day getting up eventually to 18 knots (40 km/h) – fortunately when we were nearly back in the harbour.   Water temperature was over 20°C inshore and 21°C in the deep blue water off the shelf.     Inshore birds were few and far between with only the odd Wedge-tailed Shearwater, two Sooty Shearwaters and a lone Arctic Jaeger being seen until we reached 5-8 NM offshore, when flocks of migrating Short-tailed Shearwater appeared.  The waters off the shelf proved much more productive, with the predominant Grey-faced (Great-winged ssp. gouldi) Petrels responding well to our berley trail along with one lone White-chinned Petrel and a few Wilson’s Storm-Petrels. A full list of sightings is provided below.   Persistence pays off. After changing position to a few miles farther offshore, the large numbers of Great-winged Petrels that accompanied us from one spot to the other attracted several Wandering, Black-browed and Campbell Albatross, which settled on the water close to the boat.   The outward journey highlight was without doubt the close sighting of a large pod of approximately 30 Pygmy Killer Whales. On the return we were accompanied by quite a number of Short-beaked Common Dolphins riding the bow wave for several miles.   Here is a link to Raja’s photos of the day: http://www.adarman.com/Pelagics/New-South-Wales-Pelagics/2012-December-08-Sydney     Birds: Wilson’s Storm-Petrel: 5 (never more than two at a time) Wandering-type Albatross: 4+ (most likely all Gibson’s, one possibly Antipodean) Black-browed Albatross: 1 (1st/2nd year) Campbell Albatross: 3 (all 1st/2nd year) Shy Albatross: 2 (adult) White-chinned Petrel: 1 Wedge-tailed Shearwater: x Flesh-footed Shearwater: 2 (never more than one at a time – very low number) Sooty Shearwater: 2 (on the way out; didn’t get good looks – bulky appearance, heavy wing-load and contrasting silver flashes [the three parallel bars on the inner underwing coverts were not seen due to observation angle]) Short-tailed Shearwater: x (still southbound migration) Hutton’s Shearwater: 1 Grey-faced Petrel: x Providence Petrel: 1 (pristine plumage, late) Little Penguin: 1 (seen by only one observer) Australasian Gannet: 3 (2 adult, one 2nd year bird) Little Black Cormorant: 2 Pomarine Jaeger: 6 Arctic Jaeger: 2 Long-tailed Jaeger: 1 Sooty Tern: 1 Sterna spec.: 1 (very white secondaries, sharply defined narrow black trailing edge to primaries ruled out Common; looked a bit to bulky for Arctic; maybe late White-fronted? Unfortunately no photos were obtained) Crested Tern: x Silver Gull: only a few in the harbour   Mammals: Short-beaked Common Dolphin: 12 Pygmy Killer Whale: 30   Fish: Flying Fish spec.: 5 Sunfish: 3 (most likely all Mola ramsayi)