It is with some sadness that I have to inform birding-aussers that the MV Halicat has operated its last pelagic sea watch expedition from Sydney. Hal Epstein has sold the vessel and we understand that it will be moving away from Sydney on a permanent basis. The Halicat has been operating these trips for the best part of 20 years and I have been extremely fortunate to have been part of that operation for all of that time except when I was living in Perth in 1998-9. The scheduled pelagic trip on Saturday October 12th will proceed as usual in order to honour the bookings already in place and we will be using the MV Lormar for the day – it is a displacement vessel with a capacity of about 20 passengers. Since this trip next Saturday is almost fully subscribed, it is planned to run the November 9th trip on the same vessel, if there is sufficient interest. There are no arrangements in place to my knowledge for the continuation of the Sydney pelagic tradition and I have to say that, having reached a ‘certain age’ in life, I think that the future of seabird watching off Sydney should be in younger hands than mine. We have been very fortunate in having Hal as the key part of providing the vessel for these trips as he was prepared to go out even when numbers were not sufficient to make it financially viable and the Halicat was an exceptional platform for observation. A future organiser will have the task of finding a suitable vessel and figuring out how to handle the financial risk of the somewhat fickle Sydney market. Hal, Steve Anyon-Smith, David James and I would be more than happy to assist anyone trying to get something organised and to pass on all our knowledge of boats, bookings, locations, sourcing berley material, and the like. Finally, a big thank you to all those birders who have supported the Sydney pelagic in the past. I really hope that we can get an alternative operation running off Sydney – it is too important to our knowledge of seabirds to give up on it. Cheers Roger McGovern =============================== To unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message: unsubscribe (in the body of the message, with no Subject line) to: birding-aus-request@vicnet.net.au http://birding-aus.org ===============================
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5 responses to “Sydney Pelagics – The end of an era”
I now feel fortunate that for the first time in many years I recently went on a Sydney pelagic, not knowing that it was to be one of the last. The flat seas in the lee of New Zealand’s Stewart Island suited me better for sea-spotting. I am rarely if ever physically sick at sea but frequently feel less than average, hence my very infrequent appearances on the ocean. :-(( Hal, Roger and others have contributed hugely to our avian knowledge and I for one greatly respect that. Let’s hope that others can fill the gap. Andy On 07/10/2013, at 1:41 PM, Roger McGovern <roglou@bigpond.net.au> wrote: Andy Burton 0431 550 105 9416 2636 =============================== To unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message: unsubscribe (in the body of the message, with no Subject line) http://birding-aus.org ===============================
You will be missed Roger —– Original Message —– Sent: Monday, October 07, 2013 1:41 PM =============================== To unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message: unsubscribe (in the body of the message, with no Subject line) http://birding-aus.org ===============================
Hi Everyone, It is sad indeed. I too would like to take this opportunity to thank Hal for his generosity and helpfulness throughout and wish him all the very best. Also thanks to Roger, Steve and all the patrons over the years , the number of great people I have met, the number of fantastic birds and cetaceans from the Halicat over the years really is quite remarkable. I have so many fond memories it far outweighs my battles with seasickness. This part of the east coast is clearly one the most important seabird areas in the world today and as Roger pointed out – it is too important to give up on. Thanks again, Tony —–Original Message—– [mailto:birding-aus-bounces@lists.vicnet.net.au] On Behalf Of Roger McGovern Sent: Monday, 7 October 2013 1:41 PM It is with some sadness that I have to inform birding-aussers that the MV Halicat has operated its last pelagic sea watch expedition from Sydney. Hal Epstein has sold the vessel and we understand that it will be moving away from Sydney on a permanent basis. The Halicat has been operating these trips for the best part of 20 years and I have been extremely fortunate to have been part of that operation for all of that time except when I was living in Perth in 1998-9. The scheduled pelagic trip on Saturday October 12th will proceed as usual in order to honour the bookings already in place and we will be using the MV Lormar for the day – it is a displacement vessel with a capacity of about 20 passengers. Since this trip next Saturday is almost fully subscribed, it is planned to run the November 9th trip on the same vessel, if there is sufficient interest. There are no arrangements in place to my knowledge for the continuation of the Sydney pelagic tradition and I have to say that, having reached a ‘certain age’ in life, I think that the future of seabird watching off Sydney should be in younger hands than mine. We have been very fortunate in having Hal as the key part of providing the vessel for these trips as he was prepared to go out even when numbers were not sufficient to make it financially viable and the Halicat was an exceptional platform for observation. A future organiser will have the task of finding a suitable vessel and figuring out how to handle the financial risk of the somewhat fickle Sydney market. Hal, Steve Anyon-Smith, David James and I would be more than happy to assist anyone trying to get something organised and to pass on all our knowledge of boats, bookings, locations, sourcing berley material, and the like. Finally, a big thank you to all those birders who have supported the Sydney pelagic in the past. I really hope that we can get an alternative operation running off Sydney – it is too important to our knowledge of seabirds to give up on it. Cheers Roger McGovern =============================== To unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message: unsubscribe (in the body of the message, with no Subject line) http://birding-aus.org =============================== =============================== To unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message: unsubscribe (in the body of the message, with no Subject line) http://birding-aus.org ===============================
Hi Roger, Very sad news indeed – I’ll have many a happy memory from onboard, from losing my “pelagic birding virginity” (so to speak) through many a lifer to finally culminating in that Barau’s Petrel earlier this year. Since moving down to Melbourne I have really missed being able to do a Pelagic without hours of driving or catching flight… (you East-coasters are so lucky!) Here’s hoping there another “Halicat” out there for all the Sydney folk. Best wishes to Hal in his retirement too… Ed Ed Williams On 07/10/2013, at 1:41 PM, “Roger McGovern” <roglou@bigpond.net.au> wrote: =============================== To unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message: unsubscribe (in the body of the message, with no Subject line) http://birding-aus.org ===============================
Hi Roger (& others) Sorry to hear that – I’ve never been on a Sydney trip but having started to help organise the WA trips recently, I well understand how having a reliable boat operator AND not having to worry so much about not filling the boat would make it much easier for the trip organiser! Sounds like a big loss… John Sent from my iPhone =============================== To unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message: unsubscribe (in the body of the message, with no Subject line) http://birding-aus.org ===============================