The vessel
departed Singapore 19 August 2012 and sailed for Dampier,
NW Australia where we arrived 26th August. After this we spent most of
the time on the Goodwyn (130km NW of Karratha) and
North Rankin fields
(135km NW of Karratha).
Very
little in the way of birdlife (or any other kind of life!) was seen on
the transit between Singapore
and Australia.
Alongside
at the
offshore base at King Bay Supply Base near Dampier there was no
opportunity to
go birding (or even ashore!) but a small number of species were seen
here including Little
Correllas (apparently commuting between the mainland and one or more of
the islands), Silver Gulls, Crested Terns and Brown Boobies. The
highlight here was large numbers of Humback whales - especially
prolific on our arrival and typically not seen up close after that
despite regular sightings at long range.
Yellow-throated
Miner, Karratha Airport
Crested
Tern, near Goodwyn A, September 2012
Lesser
Frigatebird, North Rankin, September 2012
Wilson's
Storm Petrel - here showing the diagnostic yellow webs on its feet.
Click on image for more.
Out
at sea
there were generally few birds most
days, just the
occasional shearwaters, all of those identified being Wedge-tailed
Shearwater.
Wilson's Petrel were observed in small numbers almost daily, usually
during daylight hours (compare to previous
visit
to this area). Small numbers of Crested Terns were also very regular.
Brown
Booby were regular around North Rankin but seemed to spent all
their time sitting on anchor buoys. A Lesser Frigatebird put in a brief
appearance here on 8th September.
Brown Boobies at
North Rankin -
typical long range view
Brown Booby at
Dampier, September
2012
Goodwyn
A platform
Ocean America rig
Record
shot of Wedge-tailed Shearwater, September 2012
Breaching Humback Whale, September 2012
The Humback migration seemed to be in full swing when we arrived in
late August but numbers dropped during the trip.
Whales were seen very
close to land - in fact the best day was on arrival at Dampier when
around 30 were seen - some at very close range. To get even better
views of whales you may need to head out to sea. A boat
charter can take you out on a whale watch. You can also find Viking yachts for
sale online if you interested in a boat of your own.
Wedge-tailed
Shearwater
Puffinus pacificus
Small
numbers very regular offshore. Rarely more than 10 or so seen. Note
that the race seen in this area has a horn coloured beak with a dark
tip.
Small
numbers of what was probably this species making flights over the water
at King Bay Supply Base
Yellow-throated
Miner
Manorina
flavigula
One
at Karratha airport
Magpie
Lark
Grallina
cyanoleuca
A
pair seen at Karratha airport
Sea
Snake offshore near North Rankin, WA
Flatback
Turtle, September 2012
Swimming crabs
such as this one
were regular offshore
September 2012
North
Rankin platform
Safe
Astoria at North Rankin
King's Bay, Dampier
King's Bay, Dampier
This dolphin fed
around the vessel one evening as we lay at anchor off Dampier
A
couple of days in Perth were spent in the office with the exception of
one quick evening stroll to King's park near the city centre.
Unfortunately the
light was already going but I did manage to pick up a few species here.
An early morning visit the following morning was thwarted by heavy rain. Species inclued
Rainbow Lorikeet, Laughing Kookaburra, Red Wattlebird,
Sacred Ibis, Singing Honeyeater, Galah, a species of Black Cockatoo, a
crow, Wood Duck, Australian Magpie and more.
Rainbow
Lorikeet
Click on picture for more images
Laughing
Kookaburra
Click on picture for more images
Red
Wattlebird
Click on picture for more images
A
species of Black Cockatoo - no colour seen on the tails....
