Erect-crested penguin

Erect-crested penguin at The Skerries in East Gippsland. Good afternoon all After I read the report on Birdline Vcitoria of the Erect-crested penguin at The Skerries in East Gippsland posted last night but reported last week(Feb 19), I became very excited about the prospect of trying to find this bird. Hence, I am writing this for the benefit of other birders who may have had the same thoughts. I spent my lunchtime at work researching this report. It appears that ‘The Skerries’ are a small series of rock formations a few kilometres off shore from East Mallacoota. These formations host a breeding colony of Australian fur seals. They are only accessible by boat and landing on the formations is illegal. After some phone calls, I spoke to the charter operator who took 4 people out to these rock islands last Wednesday. His name is Jason York and runs Mallacoota Fishing Charters and Tours. He told me that he was commissioned to take 4 people out to carry out research on these rocks. He seems to think they were scientists and/or rangers and had the approval to do this. These people actually were able to land on the rocks and hence, stumble across the penguin. I asked him if it was possible to go out for a look and if he would be willing to take a small group of us there. He was but added that he had other commitments over the next two weeks so would not be able to do this for a while. He also said he had no idea where the bird was located so it may be difficult to track down. But if anyone has any information different to this, or has plans to see it through another way, please email on b.okeefe@cccc.vic.edu.aub.okeefe@cccc.vic.edu.au> I have a number of my close birding friends who would be willing to go also if you need numbers to cut down costs. Kind regards Bernie OKeefe Bernard O’Keefe VET, VCAL, Work Placement Manager [cid:image005.jpg@01CF3248.81DD45B0] Caroline Chisholm Catholic College 204 Churchill Avenue, Braybrook. 3019 T: 03 9296 5311 | F: 03 9296 5381 E: b.okeefe@cccc.vic.edu.aub.okeefe@cccc.vic.edu.au> W: www.cccc.vic.edu.au [cid:image005.jpg@01CF3248.81DD45B0] [cid:image006.jpg@01CF3248.81DD45B0] ————————————————————– This Email and any attachments may be confidential and, if you are not the intended recipient, you must not disclose or use the information in this mail. If received in error, please notify us immediately and delete the Email and all copies. Caroline Chisholm Catholic College does not guarantee that this Email is virus or error free. The attached files are provided and may only be used on the basis that the user assumes all responsibility for any loss, damage or consequence resulting directly or indirectly from the use of the attached files, whether caused by the negligence of the sender or not. The content and opinions in this Email are not necessarily those of Caroline Chisholm Catholic College. _______________________________________________ Birding-Aus mailing list Birding-Aus@birding-aus.org To change settings or unsubscribe visit: http://birding-aus.org/mailman/listinfo/birding-aus_birding-aus.org