Eden pelagic

In 2016 COG will run its usual September pelagics, and is also running a single March pelagic. The outing will leave from Eden Harbour at 7am, and return mid-afternoon. The boat can accommodate 12 people, and the cost per person per trip will be $100.
Organising travel and accommodation will be each individual’s responsibility but there may be opportunities for car-pooling and an informal get-together for dinner/drinks in Eden on the Saturday evening.
Bookings will be confirmed only when full payment is received. Payment must be made by February 15. These trips need to be fully subscribed to ensure COG does not make a loss, and as is the case with all paid trips, preference is given to COG members. Once you’ve booked and paid, no refunds can be given unless a replacement can be found. No places will be made available to non-members unless the trips are not fully subscribed by COG members by mid-February.
As with all boating activities the trip will be weather dependent and rough seas could lead to the cancellation or postponement of the trip.
Please book with Sandra Henderson (shirmax2931@gmail.com). Payment by direct deposit to COG’s bank account is preferred – details will be sent to those who express interest. These trips often fill up fast, so if interested please book early.

Eleven COG members joined crew Richard and Lindsay for the pelagic on a cool, windy morning at Eden.  As soon as the Connemara left the harbour it was apparent the conditions would be a challenge. Richard motored down past Green Cape, with a 3-4m swell (and no promise of anything better) leading to a decision not to head out to the shelf. We pulled up about 10km offshore, but few birds were attracted to the boat. A few shearwaters settled briefly on the water, but albatrosses were few and far between and while a couple circled once or twice, none settled on the water to give us a better look. The highlight of the seabird sightings was a Grey-backed Storm-Petrel, a new bird for at least a few of us. Four species of albatross were seen flying near the boat – Black-browed, Indian Yellow-nosed, Buller’s and Shy. The first 3 were somewhat unexpected at this time of year. There were plentiful Wedge-tailed and Short-tailed Shearwaters, a single Flesh-footed Shearwater, and two Fluttering Shearwaters. Two Arctic Jaegers were identified. The boat returned to Eden earlier than usual, but we were treated to really close views of the Black-faced Cormorants, other cormorants, Crested Terns and a lone Pacific Gull on a barge and several pontoons near the wood-chip loading facility. Very few dolphins were seen on the day, and no seals, but a single large turtle had a good look at us well out to sea.

Most of the Canberra-based participants had followed Leo’s advice and called in at Merimbula on the trip down to Eden to see the Beach Stone-curlew which has taken up residence at one end of the beach at Spencer Park. The bird was easy to find for at least some of us, as was the fur seal which has also taken up residence on the sand. While filling in time on Saturday afternoon, some went to the Lake Curalo boardwalk, and while it is nice to see the Royal Spoonbills and other regulars there, the surprise was the 102 Masked Lapwings (yes, I counted them) on the Aussie Rules field next to the cricket oval. The entry in Pizzey says they do flock in autumn, but this number was very unexpected!

Sandra Henderson