March Sydney Pelagic

Leaving home bright and early to board the Halicat, we got into open ocean around 8:00. Very light winds and almost no swell made for a great cruise, but this weather isn't as good for birding. A couple of WEDGE-TAILED and FLESH-FOOTED SHEARWATERS made passes as we motored out to the shelf. At one point we stopped and started putting out some berly, which attracted a GREAT-WINGED PETREL and the highlight of the day (IMO), a single POMARINE JAEGAR. Two brief views of Providence Petrels, a Wandering Albatross and a HUTTON'S SHEARWATER where pretty much the only different sea birds we saw for the day. While the trip lacked birds, sea monsters were abundant. 3 species of dolphin (Common, Bottlenose and Risso's), as well as a Sunfish and various fish species were all viewed.