TRIP REPORT
28 November 2004

After a 24 hour delay, a group of birders from 4 countries left Simonstown in very clear and calm conditions at 0700 hr. on Sunday 28 Nov. for an Anne Albatross pelagic trip guided by Jim Enticott. The run to Cape Point at 12 kts produced rafting flocks of Cape Cormorants with numerous terns, Cape Gannets and a few Arctic Skuas.

Rounding Cape Point at 0815 Cape Gannet numbers started to increase as we set off at 230 degrees. Our first encounter was piscine – about 50 Yellow-tailed Tuna just off the Point. This was soon followed by an impressive mixed group of about a thousand Common and Dusky Dolphins spread over a wide area some 7 mi. from the Point together with piscivorous seabirds – Cape Gannets, Sooty Shearwaters, a few Cory’s Shearwaters as well as the first Great Shearwater and White-chinned Petrel of the day.

This impressive feeding frenzy provided much excitement and we spent some time here watching the dolphins.

Moving South the first Pomarine Skua of the day appeared some 12 miles from the Point. This was soon followed by a Mako Shark spotted by the skipper, and the first Giant Petrel.

By 1000 hr. a Hake longliner was found, and some 17 mi from the Point and we were soon alongside. Here bird numbers were not large but did produce the first immature Shy Albatrosses and adult Black-browed Albatrosses. Birds were reluctant to fly in the calm conditions and we soon found small numbers of Southern Giant Petrel as well as the first adult Atlantic Yellow-nosed Albatross and a few Wilson’s Petrel. Other species in attendance were Kelp Gull, White-chinned Petrel, Sooty Shearwater, Great Shearwater and Arctic Tern.

A second Hake longliner was nearby and this had a similar range of both numbers of birds and species diversity. All three albatrosses were settled on the sea in small numbers – we could not find an Indian Yellow-nosed. One flying Subantarctic Skua was soon followed by a very washed out Manx Shearwater. Diligent scanning of all the White-chins was rewarded with shouts of Spectacled Petrel. The skipper was skillfully able to approach this bird so all could see it and take photographs. This was soon followed by a superb Pomarine Skua and then a second, much fresher-looking Manx Shearwater.

There was one solitary trawler at 24 mi and this was reached at 1200 just as she hauled her net. There were a few seals in attendance however bird numbers were comparatively low – we could find no additional species. The warm water of late appears to be persisting and compared to last week, birds were fewer with lower numbers of albatrosses and stormpetrels, no Sabines Gull and no Great-winged Petrels.

We turned for home at 12.30 with Cory’s Shearwater being the most frequently encountered species. Near Bellows were large numbers of cormorants, terns and Cape Gannets however by now the dolphins had moved away. Cape Point was passed at 14.00 hr followed by a close look at the breeding Bank Cormorants, Simonstown was reached just after 1500 hr.

Species list with approximate numbers.

Jackass (African) Penguin Very few away from Boulders
Black-browed Albatross c.50, adult and immature birds
Shy Albatross c. 100, majority immature
Atlantic Yellow-nosed Albatross c. 15, majority adult.
Southern Giant Petrel c. 10, adult and immature
White-chinned Petrel perhaps 200
Spectacled Petrel 1
Sooty Shearwater c.100
Cory’s Shearwater c.100
Great Shearwater c. 20
Manx Shearwater 2
Wilson’s Petrel c.10
Cape Gannet Many
Cape Cormorant Many in False Bay and at Bellows
Bank Cormorant Breeding birds False Bay
White-breasted Cormorant Breeding birds False Bay
Kelp Gull False Bay and at trawler
Swift Tern Numerous
Sandwich Tern False Bay
Common Tern False Bay
Arctic Tern A few offshore
Arctic Skua c.20
Subantarctic Skua 1
Pomarine Skua 2-4
Cape Fur Seal
Dusky Dolphin
Common Dolphin
Yellow-tailed Tuna
Mako Shark.

Thanks to the skipper and his crew for an excellent trip and to Jim Enticott for looking after the birders and for his guiding and for the trip report.

Although the birds were fewer, there were yet again closeup views of many pelagic birds aswell as a very special bird --the Spectacled Petrel - which provided excellent photographic opportunities, and everyone on board had a wonderful trip.

Please contact me for your bookings or any enquiries for the

trip dates for next year.

Best Regards

Anne Gray