TRIP REPORT
1 August 2010

Trip Report written by Alvin Cope who guided the group.

A bunch of birders left Simon's Town at 07:15 on 1 August 2010 aboard the MV ZEST ,
skippered by Harry Dilley, in a light wind - this was enjoyed by all, as the previous day's trip was cancelled due to a very strong NW wind. We did expect to get some weather, but this proved to be incorrect. A few White-chinned Petrels before the Point, created some excitement and we had a thickish mist up to 4 miles outside the point which cleared and we had calmish windless conditions for the rest of the day. A good number of Sooty Shearwaters were seen on the way out and we were surprised to see a single LITTLE SHEARWATER at about 8 miles fly across the bow.

A few birds were seen as we headed out, but sadly no fishing boats up to 23 miles and we were considering chummimg, when the skipper picked up two vessels 8 miles further out. The bird numbers increased as we got close to the two trawlers and as expected at this time of the year, their entourage was SPECTACULAR. We spent the rest of the day following, first the one into the west and then the other into the east, waiting for the latter to haul up the nets and enjoying the frenzy. The bird numbers were impressive as was the loud twittering of the 100's of the Pintado Petrels. The ride back produced a pod of dolphins (probably Common) in the distance going away from us at speed, so that we did not even try to get closer to them and a single Southern Right Whale just outside the Point.
Of interest, was the low numbers of Wilson's Storm Petrels, the fantastic weather(compared to the day before) low numbers of Albatrosses and ofcourse, the Little Shearwater.

Birds seen, with approximate numbers.
Shy Albatross 50
Black browed Albatross 150
Indian Yellow-nosed Albatross 8
Atlantic Yellow-nosed Albatross 1
Southern Giant Petrel 3
Northern Giant Petrel 10
White chinned Petrel 500
Sooty Shearwater 200
Little Shearwater 1
Pintado Petrel 3 000
Cape Gannets 200
Wilson's Storm Petrel 10
Sub Antarctic Skua 15
Common Tern 1
Coastal
Kelp Gulls
Hartlaub Gulls
Swift Terns
Cormorants Bank, Crowned, White-breasted, Cape.
African Penguins

Mammals
Cape Fur Seal
Southern Right Whale
A very special thanks to Harry Dilley and crew for doing the extra miles to the trawlers
and ensuring that the birders saw the true winter spectacle with hundreds & hundreds
of pelagic birds indulging in the feeding frenzy behind these vessels. Thanks to Alvin for
ensuring the birders got to know their seabirds better.
Up coming dates to note for Anne Albatross pelagic trips where there are still places:
Weekends 21/22 & 28/29 August 11/12 & 25/26 September, 2/3 Oct.
Midweek 30/31 Aug, 28/29 Sept., 6/7 Oct.
Please contact me on gray-ad@mweb.co.za or Cell 083 311 1140 or Tel 021 713 1231