Port MacDonnell Pelagic

This weekend a dedicated group of  us headed to Port MacDonnell for a Pelagic boat trip hoping to spot a rarity. We had a couple of new people attend this weekend,  they coped well and enjoyed a stack of Lifers. Most of us did not get any Lifers this trip so it was nice to be able to enjoy the excitement they experienced.

During the day we saw 4 Albatross species – Shy, Black-browed, Indian Yellow-nosed and Bullers.

Bullers Albatross

Yellow-nosed Albatross

Yellow-nosed Albatross

5 species of Shearwater – Fluttering, Short-tailed, Flesh-footed, Sooty and Hutton’s.

Flesh-footed Shearwater

Flesh-footed Shearwater

A few Wilson’s Storm-petrel were seen along with Great-winged Petrel and Aust Gannet. 

Great-winged Petrel - NZ race Gouldi (Grey-faced Petrel)

Great-winged Petrel

Wilsons Storm-petrel

Weather conditions were S to SE wind, 5-10kts early abating through the day.

Seas: Slight conditions early, wind wave to .5m. No swell

Areas of sea fog limied visiblity to 50m at times.

The water temperature was 16C and the SW breeze made conditions perfect so it is confusing as to why the species diversity was not higher?


Most of the birds seen were not hungry, preferring to sit on the water than be tempted with food.

Interesting to note that there were:-

No ‘Great’ Albatross

No White-chinned Petrels

No Skuas

No White-faced Storm Petrels

Five species of Shearwater but none in large numbers

All species reluctant to feed near boat or on the slick

The highlight of the day was a small pod of Pilot Whales that approached us for a closer look.

Salt Creek - The Heart of the Coorong, SA

A weekend away is always a good thing especially when birding is the main agenda.  A friend and I headed to the Coorong first thing this morning with a few target birds in mind.

After stopping to look at waders I decided to search the surronding scrub for Southern Emu-wrens. Literally 10 seconds later I had one staring at me from inside a bush!  It was extremely difficult to get photos as they simply will not sit still for a second but it was fun trying.

It was a stand off..... He watched us as we watched him!

                                   We waited and waited but he would not come out!

The most common view as he flew between bushes

It was then onto Salt Creek and a walk in the late afternoon produced crippling views of a pair of malleefowl working their mound.

A flock of Beautiful Firetail appeared during a walk in the late afternoon but the poor light did little to assist in photographing them.

Musk Duck

Yellow-rumped Thornbill

Great-creasted Grebe

Little Black Cormorants

Singing Honeyeater