| - 1 WANDERING ALBATROSS
- 1 GREAT-WINGED PETREL
- 2 BLACK-BELLIED STORM PETRELS
- 2 SOUTHERN FULMARS
- 4 NORTHERN ROYAL ALBATROSSES
- 6 SOFT-PLUMAGED PETRELS
A Cape Town Pelagics trip left from Simons Town on Friday
morning, 23 September. Bad weather had prevented our departure
on Thursday, and although the predictions were for mild seas
and light winds, the bay that greeted us was fairly choppy.
The seas at cape Point were very lumpy, and after half an
hour of very slow progress, we were still unsure if it would
be worth our while persevering. Skipper Dave Christie suggested
that things would improve in the deeper water, and indeed
they did. The only ARCTIC SKUA of the trip gave great views
and shortly thereafter a single Common Dolphin shot past in
our wake – the only cetacean for the trip. Before too
long we were moving at almost 20 kn, and at around 20 nm off
Cape Point we sighted a couple of trawlers. On the way we
had great views of no less than 5 Soft-plumaged Petrels. By
the time we got to the trawlers the winds had dropped as predicted,
and the seas became almost calm and absolutely stunning.
The trawler had an insane attendance, and before long we
had picked up all the “regular” pelagic species.
Then a white-backed albatross came in close, and it turned
out to be a NORTHERN ROYAL ALBATROSS. A few minutes later,
another came past, possibly the same individual. Amidst the
thousands of Pintado Petrels we were able to pick up at least
two SOUTHERN FULMARS. After trailing in the wake of the trawler
for a good long time, we decided to investigate some longliners
nearby. On the way a BLACK-BELLIED STORM PETREL was seen,
albeit briefly, as well as excellent views of a juvenile WANDERING
ALBATROSS, which was sitting on the water with a couple of
Shy Albatrosses and gave superb views. Another NORTHERN ROYAL
was again seen flying past at pace. The numbers and diversity
of birds behind the longliners were low, but a GREAT-WINGED
PETREL proved more than adequate compensation! While lingering
some distance behind the longliners, we had our unprecedented
THIRD AND FOURTH NORTHERN ROYALS fly past, simultaneously,
and giving such excellent views we could make out the black
cutting edge on one of the bird’s bills! On the way
home we stopped off at another trawler that was hauling its
nets and enjoyed the spectacle of clouds of birds going frantic.
The trip’s only Great Shearwater was seen, as well as
a second BLACK-BELLIED STORMIE. Although it had been a long
day, we struggled to leave the working ships when the going
was so good. Our earlier perseverance in the face of roughish
seas had paid handsome dividends, and we returned to Simons
town elated after a magnificent day on the water , with 6
albatross species, including at least 4 Northern Royal Albatrosses,
and a bunch of other specials, and a total of 18 pelagic species
for the day!
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