Atlantic Odyssey Bird and Mammal List 2006
|
|
|
Atlantic Odyssey Bird and Mammal List 2006 |
|
|||
|
|||
|
|
||
|
WildWings ATLANTIC ODYSSEY 2006
Compiled by Andy Roadhouse
ITINERARY AT A GLANCE
8th March Arrive in Ushuaia early pm, then a walk around the harbour. 9th March Full day in Tierra del Fuego National Park. 10th March Early morning near Tolkeyen Hotel, then moved onto rubbish tip and abattoir. mid-afternoon, transferred to the Professor Molchanov, but didn’t sail at 18.00 as planned due to the expedition leader being stuck in Buenos Aires due to a strike by airline staff. 11th March Ushuaia all day until we finally sailed off down the Beagle Channel at 17.30. 12th March All day in the Drake Passage. 13th March All day in the Drake Passage, arrived off the South Shetlands at 17.45 and into Bransfield Straight. 14th March Bad weather prevented us landing at Brown Bluff, so all day in the Antarctic Sound and Weddell Sea. 15th March Landing at Brown Bluff in the morning, sailing NW through Antarctic Sound into Bransfield Straight. 16th March At sea to South Georgia. 17th March At sea to South Georgia. 18th March At sea to South Georgia. 19th March Grytviken, South Georgia in the morning, then Gold Harbour King Penguin rookery in the afternoon. 20th March Salisbury Plain King Penguin rookery in the morning and Prion Islet in the afternoon. 21st March At sea to Gough Island. 22nd March At sea to Gough Island. 23rd March At sea to Gough Island. 24th March At sea to Gough Island. 25th March At sea to Gough Island arrived mid-afternoon and zodiac cruised 16.30 – 18.00hrs. 26th March Zodiac cruised Gough Island 06.00 – 08.00 hrs, chumming off Gough Island late morning then at sea towards Tristan da Cunha. 27th March Arrived Tristan da Cunha 07.00, stayed until lunch but weather too rough to land, ship tour of Inaccessible Island and Nightingale Island. 28th March Anchored off Tristan da Cunha all day due to bad weather. 29th March Early morning landing on Tristan da Cunha, 11.00 back on board and steam to Nightingale Island, sea too rough to land so approached Inaccessible Island and went ashore and wapped off the rail! 30th March At sea to St.Helena. 31st March At sea to St.Helena. 1st April At sea to St.Helena. 2nd April At sea to St.Helena. 3rd April Arrived at St.Helena 11.00, all afternoon ashore including twitch for Wirebird. 4th April The morning ashore for most, then a dolphin and seabird tour in the afternoon. Set sail late pm. 5th April At sea to Ascension. 6th April At sea to Ascension. 7th April Arrived off Ascension at 07.30, circumnavigation of Boatswaindbird Island, swim off the island pm and then to Long Beach in the evening to look at breeding turtles. 8th April Early morning looking at the turtles, then all day ashore Ascension Island. 9th April At sea to Cape Verde. 10th April At sea to Cape Verde. 11th April At sea to Cape Verde. 12th April At sea to Cape Verde. 13th April At sea to Cape Verde. 14th April Arrived Praia, Santiago, Cape Verde early morning, all day birding bus tour of the island. 15th April Early morning cruising between Boa Vista and Sal, afternoon tour of Sal taking in saltworks. Disembark the ship at 18.30. Most people flew home at 01.00.
SYSTEMATIC LIST
GREAT GREBE Podiceps major 10 in Tierra del Fuego NP on 9th and 2 seen around Ushuaia on 10th-11th.
WHITE-TUFTED GREBE Podiceps rollandA single in Ushuaia on 9th and 3 there on 10th.
KING PENGUIN Aptenodytes patagonicus 4 seen at sea approaching South Georgia on 18th, 10 around Grytviken on 19th, the same day an estimated 10,000 at the Gold Harbour rookery and an estimated 50,000 at the Salisbury Plain rookery on South Georgia on 20th. The last 4 were seen at sea on 21st after leaving South Georgia.
EMPEROR PENGUIN Aptenodytes forsteri An adult was seen at sea by one lucky observer on 17th March. It was seen north-east of the South Orkneys at 58º 33 min south and 45º 52 min. west.
GENTOO PENGUIN Pygoscelis papua 24 in the Antarctic Sound/Weddell Sea on 14th, 250 at Brown Bluff, Antarctic Peninsula on 15th with a further 100 in the Antarctic Sound later that day. 6 at sea approaching South Georgia on 18th, 500 at Gold Harbour on 19th and 300 on Prion Islet on 20th.
ADELIE PENGUIN Pygoscelis adeliae Only seen in the Antarctic Sound/Weddell Sea area, most birds were seen on ice flows, although 6 were seen on the beach at Brown Bluff. Day totals for 14th and 15th were 23 and 18 respectively.
CHINSTRAP PENGUIN Pygoscelis antarctica 14 in the Drake Passage as we approached South Shetlands on 13th, then single figures seen daily between Antarctic Sound and South Georgia, with a high count of 12 on 17th. The only bird we saw on land was a single at Grytviken.
NORTHERN ROCKHOPPER PENGUIN Eudyptes chrysocome moseleyi Only seen at Gough Island and the Tristan group, 2000+ on Gough Island on 25th-26th, 300 on Nightingale Island on 27th and 29th and 21 on Inaccessible Island on 29th.
MACARONI PENGUIN Eudyptes chrysolophus Only seen at sea, as we missed our rookery landing opportunities due to bad weather. 4 in the Drake Passage on 13th, 12 approaching South Georgia on 18th, 5 in the sea around South Georgia on 19th and 12 seen at sea on first day after leaving South Georgia.
MAGELLANIC PENGUIN Spheniscus magellanicus 10 seen in Tierra del Fuego NP on 9th and 10 in the sea around Ushuaia on 11th.
WANDERING (SNOWY) ALBATROSS Diomedea (exulans) exulans In the Drake Passage, 3 on 12th and 2 on 13th, absent from the Antarctic Sound/Weddell Seal. Singles were seen on the three days between Antarctica and South Georgia, with several Wandering Albatross sp. also seen here. Up to 10 seen daily around South Georgia, but the highlight was seeing up to 50 birds on their breeding island of Prion Islet, where several pairs were seen displaying and young chicks were also seen. Single figures were then seen daily at sea between South Georgia and Gough Island, with the last being seen on 26th off Tristan da Cunha.
TRISTAN ALBATROSS Diomedea (exulans) debbenena The first definite was seen at sea on the first day after leaving South Georgia and was then seen daily in small numbers until the last sighting of 8 in the Tristan group on 29th. Good numbers breed on Gough Island and up to 50 a day seen on 25th-26th.
SOUTHERN ROYAL ALBATROSS Diomedea epomophora 3 seen in the Drake Passage on 12th were the only ones seen.
SOUTHERN BLACK-BROWED ALBATROSS Thalassarche melanophrys Seen daily until the last single seen around Tristan da Cunha on 26th. Largest numbers were seen in the Beagle Channel at Ushuaia, with 230 on 8th, 40-50 seen on several dates elsewhere.
SHY ALBATROSS Thalassarche (cauta) cauta 2 came to ‘chum’ between Gough Island and Tristan da Cunha on 26th. Probably the same 2 birds were seen again in the Tristan group on 29th, 2 ,again probably the same birds followed the ship north on 30th with just a single following on 31st.
GREY-HEADED ALBATROSS Thalassarche chrysostoma Seen daily between 13th and 24th, except for 14th in the Antarctic Sound/Weddell Sea. Usually just single figures in a day, but 19 seen at sea between Antarctica and South Georgia on 16th.
ATLANTIC YELLOW-NOSED ALBATROSS Thalassarche chlororhynchos Not seen until in the waters around Gough Island on 25th. Very common in the Tristan group, where large numbers breed. Unfortunately we didn’t see nesting birds due to not being able to land on Nightingale Island. Generally up to 100 a day seen, but a max. count of 500 seen on 29th, when large numbers followed the boat during a ‘chumming’ session. 2 birds followed the ship until 31st (2nd day after Tristan da Cunha).
SOOTY ALBATROSS Phoebetria fusca The first were seen on 21st March, when 15 were seen on the first day after South Georgia and were then seen daily until the last single on 30th. Good numbers were seen, particularly around the Tristan group where many pairs breed. Max. count of 100+ on 29th. A fantastic sight, watching these birds coming down for ‘chum’.
LIGHT-MANTLED SOOTY ALBATROSS Phoebetria palpebrata 2 in the Drake Passage on 12th was a good early sighting. Several seen at sea between Antarctic and South Georgia, with a max. of 7 on 17th. Small numbers seen around South Georgia, including a prospecting pair on Prion Islet on 20th. 2 birds were seen following the boat on 1st day after South Georgia and 3 on the 2nd day were the last ones seen.
SOUTHERN GIANT PETREL Macronectes giganteus A very common bird and seen daily from 8th in Ushuaia to 29th (last day in Tristan group). A typical scavenger and regularly found around corpses, several breeding pairs were seen on Prion Islet. Max. daily count 80 on 26th between Gough Island and Tristan da Cunha.
NORTHERN GIANT PETREL Macronectes halli Small numbers occasionally picked out amongst the Southerns, the first seen on 12th in the Drake Passage and the last on 26th between Gough Island and Tristan da Cunha. Max. daily count of 10 on 20th.
ANTARCTIC PETREL Thalassoica antarctica Only three singles seen, the first circled the ship at least three times at 61º south 24’ west, north of the South Shetlands on 13th March, both other singles were seen around the boat in the Antarctic Sound on 15th March.
SOUTHERN (ANTARCTIC) FULMAR Fulmarus glacialoides Only small numbers seen, 10 on 13th in Drake Passage, up to 4 in the Antarctic Sound on 14th-15th, 10 at sea between Antarctica and South Georgia on 16th, with 3 the next day and the last record of 1 around South Georgia on 20th.
CAPE PETREL Daption capense Small numbers in the Drake Passage, Antarctic Sound, at sea between Antarctica and South Georgia, with the last single seen at Grytviken on 19th. Max. daily count of 30 on 15th.
LESSER SNOW PETREL Pagodroma (nivea) nivea Only seen in the Antarctic Sound and the Weddel Sea with 30 on 14th and 6 on 15th.
GREAT-WINGED PETREL Pterodroma macroptera A single at sea between Antarctica and South Georgia on 16th, then small numbers seen daily from 23rd and 31st, with a max. count of 20 on 30th. 1000+ petrel sp. seen distantly off Tristan da Cunha on the evening of 28th were almost certainly this species.
WHITE-HEADED PETREL Pterodroma lessonii Two singles of this rare visitor to the South Atlantic, the first seen on the evening of 22nd at sea between South Georgia and Gough Island and the second the following evening.
ATLANTIC PETREL Pterodroma incerta The first was seen at sea between South Georgia and Gough on 24th, then seen daily until the last 8 on 30th. Generally single figure counts, but 40 on 25th and 20 on 26th.
KERGUELEN PETREL Pterodroma brevirostra A single in the Drake Passage on 13th, then no more until 4 on the day before arriving at South Georgia. Small numbers were then seen daily until the last single on 29th in between Tristan da Cunha and Nightingale Island. Max. count of 55 on 22nd. Three were picked up on deck unharmed on 26th.
SOFT-PLUMAGED PETREL Pterodroma mollis Up to 20 seen on both days in the Drake Passage, including a dark phase on 13th. The next birds were seen on 19th off South Georgia, then large numbers seen almost daily until the last single on 31st (2nd day out of Tristan da Cunha). High counts included 200+ on 22nd and 500+ on 27th.
FEA’S PETREL Pterodroma feae 3 seen as we approached Santiago, Cape Verde on 14th, and 5 on a private pelagic off Santiago on 15th. 1 the following day off Boa Vista.
TRINIDADE PETREL Pterodroma (arminjoniana) arminjoniana An amazing record of a bird which approached the stern of the ship at 07.15 on 1st April and stayed around for a few minutes, luckily Mike Danzenbaker photographed it and the digital images were studied and identified as this species. This was 3 days out of Tristan da Cunha and only 1 before St.Helena. Many birders who didn’t see it at first thought it was an Aprils fool!
BLUE PETREL Halobaena caerulea The first birds were seen at sea between Antarctica and South Georgia on 17th, when 60 were logged, the next day 200+ were logged. The next three days produced 1,6 and 5 respectively, the latter being seen on the first day out of South Georgia.
BROAD-BILLED PRION Pachyptila vittata The first definite was seen on the third day out of South Georgia on 23rd, on 24th 100 were logged, but the other 7500 prions seen that day were almost certainly Broad-billeds. Very common approaching and around Gough Island with up to 1000 a day, then only small numbers around Tristan with the last 4 being seen on 29th.
ANTARCTIC PRION Pachyptila desolata 50 seen on the 2nd day in the Drake Passage, then 1000+ on 16th when we were steaming between Antarctica and South Georgia, then good numbers before, around and for three days after South Georgia.
SLENDER-BILLED PRION Pachyptila belcheri 6 seen in the Drake Passage on 12th, with 2 the next day. The only other record was a single on 1st day between Antarctica and South Georgia on 16th.
FAIRY PRION Pachyptila turtur Only small numbers seen, 4 on 18th at sea before South Georgia, then 1-3 seen daily to 23rd, except 10 on 21st.
WHITE-CHINNED PETREL Procellaria aequinoctialis Just 2 seen in the Drake Passage on 12th-13th. Common and seen daily from 16th March to the last single seen on 2nd April. Generally up to 20 a day seen, but 200+ seen on 19th around South Georgia.
SPECTACLED PETREL Procellaria conspicillata The first 4 were seen as we approached Gough Island on 25th, then seen daily in good numbers, with 100+ recorded on 27th when we were next to the species only breeding site in the world – Inaccessible Island. After leaving Tristan da Cunha birds continued to follow the ship, with 35 on 30th, 40 on 31st,dropping to 6 by the evening of 1st and just 2 on 2nd.
WESTLAND PETREL Procellaria westlandica Just one seen at sea between Antarctica and South Georgia on 18th.
BULWER’S PETREL Bulweria bulwerii Small numbers seen almost daily from the first on 3rd April (St.Helena) to 12th (3rd day to Cape Verde) with up to 10 a day seen.1 on a pelagic off Santiago, Cape Verde on 14th.
GREY PETREL Procellaria cinerea The first were seen on 21st with 20 north-east of South Georgia, then seen daily until the last single on 28th. Some good counts included 24 on 22nd and 50 on 25th.
CORY’S SHEARWATER Calonectris diomedea Indeterminate singles were seen on 30th, 1st, 3rd, 5th and 7th. 8 seen on 9th then 200 on 10th, of which most were thought to be diomedea (Scopoli’s), with probably a few borealis. Then 4 on 11th, with 2 on 12th and 13th.
CAPE VERDE SHEARWATER Calonectris edwardsii 6 as we approached Santiago, Cape Verde on 14th and 30 on a pelagic off there the same day. 37 were seen between Boa Vista and Sal on 15th.
GREAT SHEARWATER Puffinus gravis A single in the Drake Passage on 12th, then 2 at sea as we approached South Georgia on 18th. A common bird between South Georgia and the Tristan group, the latter its only breeding colony, apart from a few pairs in Falklands. An estimated 10,000 seen on 27th and 5,000 on 29th. surprisingly very few birds followed the boat as we left Tristan da Cunha, with just 2 seen briefly on 30th.
SOOTY SHEARWATER Puffinus griseus Large numbers seen in the Beagle Channel and around Ushuaia, with a max. of 2000+ on 10th. At sea seen almost daily but usually on in ones and twos apart from 8 on 21st. The last record was of 3 on 1st April.
LITTLE SHEARWATER Puffinus assimilis boydi/elegans Birds of the race elegans were first seen on 22nd, the second day after leaving South Georgia, generally seen in single figures, apart from 30 on 24th and 300 on 25th. 10 of the race boydi as we approached Santiago, Cape Verde and 6 on a pelagic off there on 14th. 1 was off Boa Vista on 15th.
WILSON’S STORM PETREL Oceanites oceanicus Seen daily from 12th March to 2nd April, with a further 3 on 5th. Commonest in the Drake Passage, Antarctic Sound/Weddell Sea and South Georgia area when up to 100 birds a day were logged, after which only single figures were counted. An interesting sighting was a bird visiting its nest site on the bouldered upper part of the beach at Brown Bluff, Antarctic Peninsula on 15th.
GREY-BACKED STORM-PETREL Oceanites nereis The first seen on 22nd (3rd day after South Georgia) and then daily until last single on 27th in Tristan waters. Max. count of 5 on 23rd and 24th. One bird was found on the boat off Gough Island on 25th.
WHITE-FACED STORM-PETREL Pelagodroma marina Only seen at sea between South Georgia and Gough Island: 1on 23rd; 12 on 24th; and 1 on 25th. 8 off Santiago, Cape Verde on 14th and 2 off Boa Vista on 15th.
BLACK-BELLIED STORM-PETREL Fregetta grallaria In the Drake Passage, 6 on 12th and 60 on 13th. Then seen daily from 16th to the last single on 23rd, when the species was replaced by White-bellied. Usually around 10 a day apart from 100+ on 21st and 40 on 22nd.
WHITE-BELLIED STORM-PETREL Fregetta grallaria The first were seen on the morning of 22nd when there were still Black-bellieds around, however by the afternoon the bulk of birds were this species. Then seen daily until the last 2 on 31st (2nd day after Tristan da Cunha). 60 on 22nd, then up to 50 a day apart from 250+ on 27th.
MADEIRAN STORM-PETREL Oceanodroma castro The first single seen on 1st April (3rd day after Tristan da Cunha), then seen daily until 10th (day we crossed the Equator), commonest around St. Helena where 150 a day were seen, including many birds around there breeding site on the stacks.
LEACH’S STORM-PETREL Oceanodroma leucorhoa 3 on 31st (2nd day after Tristan da Cunha), 2 on 1st, then singles on 5th and 6th. Good of up to 30 were then seen daily until the last record of 5 on a pelagic off Santiago, Cape Verde on 14th.
STORM-PETREL SP. Unidentified Storm-petrels were seen throughout the trip, with many birds being too distant to confidently identify. 350 on 10th April were considered to be mainly Leach’s, but Madeiran’s couldn’t be ruled out. This pair were notoriously difficult to identify.
SOUTH GEORGIAN DIVING-PETEL Pelecanoides georgicus Only definitely identified around South Georgian waters, when 2 on 18th, 1 on 19th and 2 on 21st.
COMMON DIVING-PETREL Pelecanoides urinatrix Again only definitely identified around South Georgian waters, apart from 1 on 25th near Gough Island. 1-3 on 17th-19th then 15 on 20th.
MAGELLANIC DIVING-PETREL Pelecanoides magellani 2 seen in the Beagle Channel on 11th and 1 in the Drake Passage on 12th.
DIVING-PETREL SP. Pelecanoides sp. In the Drake Passage 1 on 12th and 15 on 13th, up to 40 a day in South Georgian waters and the last seen on 24th.
RED-BILLED TROPICBIRD Phaethon aethereus The first single was seen at sea on 1st, between Tristan and St.Helenda, common around St.Helena, with 10 on 3rd an d40 on 4th. 5 were seen on 7th including 1 on the top deck of the ship at dawn. 2 at sea on 9th, then 3 as we approached Santiago, Cape Verde and 12 at a nest site on a pelagic off there on 14th, 2 off Boa Vista on 15th.
WHITE-TAILED TROPICBIRD Phaethon lepturus 60+ on and around Boatswainbird Island, Ascension on 7th.
MASKED BOOBY Sula dactylatra 6 as we approached St.Helena on 3rd and 8 there on 4th, 5000+ on and around Boatswaindbird Island, Ascension on 7th and 150 around Ascension Island on 8th.
RED-FOOTED BOOBY Sula sula 30 of both colour morphs on and around Boatswainbird Island, Ascension on 7th and 2 seen around Ascension Island on 8th.
BROWN BOOBY Sula leucoaster 1 off St.Helena on 4th, 250+ on and around Boatswainbird Island, Ascension on 7th and 150+ seen on and around Ascension Island on 8th. 30 at a breeding colony on Santiago, Cape Verde on 14th, 8 seen off Boa Vista on 15th.
ROCK SHAG Phalacrocorax magellanicus Common in the sounds around Ushuaia with a max. of 30 on 10th.
IMPERIAL SHAG Phalacrocorax atriceps Common in the sounds around Ushuaia and the Beagle Channel, max. count of 100+ on 8th.
ANTARCTIC SHAG Phalacrocorax bransfieldensis 3 in the Antarctic Sound on 14th, 104 at Brown Bluff, Antarctic Peninsula and 5 in Antarctic Sound on 15th.
SOUTH GEORGIA SHAG Phalacrocorax georgianus 30 seen around South Georgia on 19th and 50 on 20th.
ASCENSION FRIGATEBIRD Fregata aquila 2 Frigatebird sp. were seen over 200 miles south of Ascension Island on 6th, 5000+ were seen at Ascension on 7th with the bulk of birds being on and around Boatswainbird Island, 100+ also seen around the island the next day.
BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT HERON Nycticorax nycticorax 1-3 birds present around Ushuaia, usually around or on the old wreck in the harbour.
CATTLE EGRET Bubulcus ibis 20+ on Santiago, Cape Verde on 14th.
LITTLE EGRET Egretta garzetta 1 on a beach on Santiago, Cape Verde on 14th.
HERON sp. Ardea ssp. 1 in flight from the minibus on Santiago, Cape Verde on 14th was probably a Grey Heron.
BLACK-FACED IBIS Theristicus melanopis 13 were seen in Tierra del Fuego NP on 9th.
BLACK-NECKED SWAN Cygnus melancoryphus2 in Tierra del Fuego NP on 9th.
UPLAND GOOSE Chloephaga picta Common around Ushuaia and Tierra del Fuego NP with up to 30 a day seen.
KELP GOOSE Chloephaga hybrida Another common bird around Ushuaia and Tierra del Fuego NP with up to 35 a day seen.
ASHY-HEADED GOOSE Chloephaga poliocephala 35 seen in the bay next to Ushuaia on 9th and 7 there on 10th.
FLYING STEAMER-DUCK Tachyeres patachonicus 3 in Tierra del Fuego NP on 9th, 25+ around Ushuaia on 10th.
FLIGHTLESS STEAMER-DUCK Tachyeres pteneres Common around Ushuaia and Tierra del Fuego NP with up to 20 a day.
CRESTED DUCK Lophonetta specularioides Common around Ushuaia and Tierra del Fuego NP with 100+ logged on 9th.
CHILOE WIGEON Anas sibilatrix 17 seen in Tierra del Fuego NP on 9th.
SPECKLED TEAL Anas flavirostris Up to 20 a day in Tierra del Fuego NP and around Ushuaia. One was also seen on South Georgia at Salisbury Plain.
SPECTACLED DUCK Anas specularis 10 in Tierra del Fuego NP near the visitor centre on 9th.
YELLOW- BILLED PINTAIL Anas georgica spinicauda 60 in Tierra del Fuego NP on 9th and 10 around Ushuaia on 10th.
SOUTH GEORGIA PINTAIL Anas georgica georgica 18 were at Grytviken on 19th March, 13 were at Salisbury Plain and 1 on Prion Island on 20th March.
RED SHOVELER Anas platalea 6 in Ushuaia harbour on 11th.
ANDEAN CONDOR Vultur gryphus At least 10 were seen in Tierra del Fuego NP on 9th, some showing very well.
TURKEY VULTURE Cathartes aura 1 over Ushuaia on 8th, 25 around Ushuaia, mainly the rubbish dump and abattoir on 10th and 5 seen over the city on 11th.
BLACK-CHESTED BUZZARD-EAGLE Geranoaetus melanoleucus 4 in Tierra del Fuego NP on 9th and 3 seen around Ushuaia on 10th.
OSPREY Pandion haliaetus One over the quay at Sal, Cape Verde on 15th.
CHILEAN HAWK Accipiter chilensis A single juvenile in Ushuaia on 8th and another juvenile in Tierra del Fuego NP on 9th.
CHIMANGO CARACARA Milvago chimango Common around Ushuaia and in Tierra del Fuego NP, with 40 seen on 9th.
WHITE-THROATED CARACARA Polyborus albogularis 1 over Ushuaia on 8th, 1 in Tierra del Fuego NP on 9th and on 10th, 7 at the rubbish dump and 5 at the abattoir in Ushuaia.
SOUTHERN CARACARA Caracara plancus Common around Ushuaia and in Tierra del Fuego NP, with a max. daily count of 22 on 10th.
CAPE VERDE KESTREL ` Falco tinnunculus alexandri 12 seen on Santiago, Cape Verde on 14th.
AMERICAN KESTREL Falco sparverius Singles seen in Ushuaia on 8th and 10th.
PEREGRINE FALCON Falco peregrinus One of the race cassini, showed very well at the abattoir in Ushuaia on 10th, it made several attempts to take a Dolphin Gull but was unsuccessful.
RED-NECKED FRANCOLIN Francolinus afer 6 seen on Ascension on 8th.
RING-NECKED PHEASANT Phasanius colchicus 1 on St.Helenda on 3rd.
HELMETED GUINEAFOWL Numida meleagris 7 on Santiago, Cape Verde on 14th.
INACCESSIBLE ISLAND FLIGHTLESS RAIL Atlantisia rogersi 4 of this enigmatic, endemic little bird, after much waiting and threat of not being able to land. A big, celebratory party onboard that night!
GOUGH MOORHEN Gallinula comeri An endemic to Gough Island, where 7 on 25th and 10 on 26th. The birds were easily visible from the zodiacs, where birds were seen feeding on the grassy slopes. Also 25 (5 seen) were counted of the Flightless Moorhen on Tristan da Cunha, which potentially could be a different species.
BLACK-WINGED STILT Himantopus himantopus 10 at the saltworks on Sal, Cape Verde on 15th.
MAGELLANIC OYSTERCATCHER Haematopus leucopodus Common around Ushuaia and in Tierra del Fuego NP, max. count of 35 on 11th.
BLACKISH OYSTERCATCHER Haematopus ater Only small numbers seen daily in Ushuaia and Tierra del Fuego NP, with 6 on 9th being the highest count.
OYSTERCATCHER SP. Haematopus sp. An oystercatcher sp was heard calling on Ascension Island on the evening of 7th.
CREAM-COLOURED COURSER Cursorius cursor 6 on Santiago, Cape Verde on 14th.
SOUTHERN LAPWING Vanellus chilensis Small numbers around Ushuaia and in Tierra del Fuego NP, with a max. of 25 on 10th.
ST.HELENA PLOVER Charadrius sanctaehelenae Endemic to St.Helena and found on the upland fields, 7 seen on 3rd and at least 12 on 4th.
RUFOUS-CHESTED DOTTEREL Zonibyx modestus Small numbers seen in the bays around Ushuaia, with 4 on 8th, 11 on 10th and 5 on 11th.
KENTISH PLOVER Pluvialis alexandrinus 4 at the saltworks on Sal, Cape Verde on 15th.
WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER Calidris fuscicollis Common around Ushuaia and in Tierra del Fuego NP, with a max. of 80+ on 10th.
SANDERLING Calidris alba 20 at the saltworks on Sal, Cape Verde on 15th.
CURLEW SANDPIPER Calidris ferruginea 20 at the saltworks on Sal, Cape Verde on 15th.
DUNLIN Calidris alpina 2 at the saltworks on Sal, Cape Verde on 15th.
LITTLE STINT Calidris minuta 1 at the saltworks on Sal, Cape Verde on 15th.
SOUTH AMERICAN SNIPE Gallinago paraguaiae 1 was seen in Ushuaia on 10th.
EURASIAN WHIMBREL Numenius phaeopus 1-2 heard calling on Ascension Island on 7th-8th. 1 at Sal, Cape Verde on 15th.
REDSHANK Tringa totanus 2 at the saltworks on Sal, Cape Verde on 15th.
GREENSHANK Tringa nebularia 2 at the saltworks on Sal, Cape Verde on 15th.
TURNSTONE Arenia interpres 10 at the saltworks on Sal, Cape Verde on 15th.
SNOWY SHEATHBILL Chionis alba 2 in the Antarctic Sound on 14th, 6 at Brown Bluff, Antarctic Peninsula on 15th. At least 80 at the King Penguin rookery at Gold Harbour, South Georgia on 19th but only 5 at the much larger King Penguin rookery at Salisbury Plain on 20th.
CHILEAN SKUA Catharacta chilensis Common around Ushuaia and in Tierra del Fuego NP, with a max. of 60+ seen on 10th.
SOUTH POLAR SKUA Catharacta maccormicki The only definite records were of a single at Brown Bluff, Antarctic Peninsula, and 2 in the Weddel Sea, both on 14th.
SUBANTARCTIC SKUA Catharacta antarctica lonnbergi Seen daily from 13th (2nd day of the Drake Passage) to 22nd (2nd day after leaving South Georgia), many days over 20 seen, but 100+ seen on 20th, when many birds were seen nesting on Prion Island.
TRISTAN SKUA Catharacta antarctica hamiltoni Seen daily from 25th (as we approached Gough Island) to 29th (last day in the Tristan group). Max. count of 50 on 26th.
POMARINE SKUA Stercorarius pomarinus 1 off St.Helena on 4th, then at sea between Ascension and Cape Verde Island, with 2 on 9th and 3 on 3rd.
ARCTIC SKUA Stercorarius parasiticus 1 the day before Gough Island on 24th, 1 between Tristan and St.Helena on 31st, 2 in St.Helena water on 3rd, then 1-2 seen daily between 7th and 11th.
LONG-TAILED SKUA Stercorarius longicaudus 1 imm. seen off Gough Island on 25th, then at sea between Ascension Island and Cape Verde, with 4 on 9th and 10 on 10th;
DOLPHIN GULL Larus scoresbii Common around Ushuaia, with up to 30 a day.
KELP GULL Larus dominicanus Common around Ushuaia and in Tierra del Fuego NP, with a max. of 2300 on 10th. 1 juv. seen in the Drake Passage on 13th, up to 60 seen in the Antarctic Sound/Weddell Sea and up to 50 a day seen on South Georgia.
BROWN-HOODED GULL Larus maculipennis 50+ seen in Ushuaia on 10th.
SOUTH AMERICAN TERN Sterna hirundinacea 2 seen on three days in Ushuaia.
ARCTIC TERN Sterna paradisaea 1 between Tristan and St.Helena on 2nd, then daily at sea between Ascension and Cape Verde, with max. counts of 30 on 11th and 13th.
ANTARCTIC TERN Sterna vittata 6 in the Drake Passage on 13th, common in the Antarctic Sound/Weddell Sea with 250 on 15th, up to 75 a day in South Georgia and common in the Tristan group with up to 100+ a day.
SOOTY TERN Sterna fuscata 12 as we approached St.Helena on 3rd, with 20 on the nesting stack there the next day. 50 seen on 7th around Ascension. The main colony was nesting at this time of year. At sea between Ascension and Cape Verde: 500+ on 9th including a flock of 300; 250 on 10th and down to just 1 on 11th.
WHITE TERN Gygis alba Very common on St.Helena, with many pairs nesting all over the island, on the cliffs but also on buildings and trees throughout the island. 1 at sea between St.Helena and Ascension on 6th, then 250+ around Ascension on 7th and 20 there the next day.
BROWN NODDY Anous stolidus Up to 5 seen daily in the Gough/Tristan group. Very common around St.Helena, with up to 100 a day seen. Smaller numbers at Ascension when up to 60 a day seen.
BLACK NODDY Anous minutus Common around St.Helena with up to 500 seen on 4th, and also at Boatswainbird Island, Ascension where up to 2000+ were seen.
ZEBRA DOVE Geopelia striata Small numbers present on St.Helena.
AUSTRAL PARAKEET Enigconathus ferrugineus 16 seen in Tierra del Fuego NP on 9th.
AUSTRAL PYGMY OWL Glaucidium nanum A single was seen very well as it was being harassed by Patagonian Sierra-Finches in Tierra del Fuego on 9th.
CAPE VERDE SWIFT Apus alexandri 10+ seen on Santiago, Cape Verde on 14th.
GREY-HEADED KINGFISHER Halcyon leucocephala 50+ seen all across Santiago, Cape Verde on 14th.
RINGED KINGFISHER Ceryle torquata Just one seen in Tierra del Fuego NP on 9th.
MAGELLANIC WOODPECKER Campephilus magellanicus A pair showed brilliantly in Tierra del Fuego on 9th.
GREY-FLANKED CINCLODES Cinclodes oustaleti Common around Ushuaia and in Tierra del Fuego NP, with a max. of 10 on 9th.
DARK-BELLIED CINCLODES Cinclodes 6 in Tierra del Fuego NP on 9th and 5 around Ushuaia on 10th.
BAR-WINGED CINCLODES Cinclodes fuscus 8 seen in Tierra del Fuego NP on 9th and 2 seen around Ushuaia on 10th and 11th.
THORN-TAILED RAYADITO Aphrastura spinicauda Very common in Tierra del Fuego NP with an estimated 85+ on 9th.
WHITE-THROATED TREERUNNER Pygarrhichas albogularis 5 seen in Tierra del Fuego NP on 9th.
DARK-FACED GROUND-TYRANT Muscisaxicola macloviana 2 in Tierra del Fuego NP on 9th and 1 on the outskirts of Ushuaia on 10th.
TUFTED TIT-TYRANT Lessonia rufa 3 in Tierra del Fuego NP on 9th.
PATAGONIAN TYRANT Ochthoeca parvirostris1 in Tierra del Fuego NP on 9th.
WHITE-CRESTED ELAENIA Elaenia albiceps 2 in Tierra del Fuego NP on 9th and 1 near Ushuaia on 10th.
CHILEAN SWALLOW Tachycineta leucopyga 1 in Ushuaia on 8th and 2 in Tierra del Fuego NP on 9th.
SOUTH GEORGIA PIPIT Anthus antarcticus One was at Grytviken on 19th March, 1 at Salisbury Plain and 20 on Prion Island on 20th March. Also at 61º25’ south 58º 2’ west in the Drake Passage on 13th March, a pipit sp. presumably a migrant from South America flew east over the ship.
TRISTAN THRUSH Nesocichla eremita 2 seen distantly from the boat on Nightingale Island and 30+ very tame birds seen on the beach on Inaccessible Island.
AUSTRAL THRUSH Turdus falklandii 10 seen in Tierra del Fuego NP on 9th.
CAPE VERDE CANE WARBLER Acrocephalus brevipennis 5+ seen on Santiago, Cape Verde on 14th.
BLACKCAP Sylvia atricapilla c.20 seen on Santiago, Cape Verde on 14th.
SPECTACLED WARBLER Sylvia conspicillata 10+ seen on Santiago, Cape Verde on 14th.
HOUSE WREN Trogladytes aedon 8 in Tierra del Fuego NP on 9th and 1 in Ushuaia on 10th.
GRASS WREN Cistothorus platensis6 on the outskirts of Ushuaia on 10th.
FIRE-EYED DIUCON Xolmis pyrope 3 in Tierra del Fuego NP on 9th and 2 on the outskirts of Ushuaia on 10th.
BROWN-NECKED RAVEN Corvus ruficollis 2 on Santiago, Cape Verde on 14th.
COMMON MYNA Acridotheres tristis Good numbers present on St.Helena and small numbers on Ascension Island.
MADAGASCAR FODY Foudia madagascariensis Good numbers present on St.Helena.
RUFOUS-COLLARED SPARROW Zonotrichia capensis15 in Ushuaia on 10th.
COMMON WAXBILL Estrilda astrild Small numbers present on St.Helena.
YELLOW CANARY Serinus flaviventris Small numbers present on St.Helena and Ascension Island.
JAVA SPARROW Padda oryzivora Good numbers present on St.Helena.
HOUSE SPARROW Passer domesticus Small numbers present around Ushuaia.
SPANISH SPARROW Passer hispaniolensis Small numbers present on Santiago, Cape Verde on 14th.
CAPE VERDE (IAGO) SPARROW Passer iagoensis Small groups seen at several places on Santiago, Cape Verde on 14th.
PATAGONIAN SIERRA-FINCH Phrygilus patagonicus 12+ seen in Tierra del Fuego NP on 9th.
YELLOW-BRIDLED FINCH Melanodera xanthogrammaA female seen at the glacier above Ushuaia on 9th.
BLACK-CHINNED SISKIN Carduelis barbatus 2 in Tierra del Fuego NP on 9th.
TRISTAN BUNTING Nesospiza acunhae 5 seen on Inaccessible Island on 29th.
GOUGH BUNTING Rowettia goughensis 6 seen on Gough Island on 25th and 30+ heard or seen the following day.
MAMMALS
ANTARCTIC MINKE WHALE Balaenoptera bonaerensis 40 seen in Antarctic Sound/Weddell Sea on 14th, 6 in Antarctic Sound on 15th.
SEI WHALE Balaenoptera borealis 6 at sea on the last day between Antarctica and South Georgia on 18th and a probable on 24th (day before reaching Gough Island.
BRYDE’S WHALE Balaenoptera edeni 1 on 10th April, litterally right on the Equator
BLUE WHALE Balaenoptera musculus 1 in the company of Fin Whale on 21st (day after South Georgia) was identified from digital photos.
FIN WHALE Balaenoptera physalus 13 in the Drake Passage on 13th, at sea between Antarctica and South Georgia there were 12 on 17th and 2 on 18th. 8+ on 21st (day after South Georgia).
HUMPBACK WHALE Megaptera novaeangliae 3 on 21st on 1st day after leaving South Georgia.
SPERM WHALE Physeter macrocephalus 11 seen on 5th April between St.Helena and Ascension.
DWARF SPERM WHALE2 (mother and calf) seen ‘logging’ on 10th April just before crossing the Equator.
SHORT-FINNED PILOT WHALE Globicephala macrorhynchus 40+ in one pod on 10th April just before crossing the Equator.
ORCA Orcinus orca In the Antarctic Sound/Weddell Sea area 18 were seen on 14th and 14 on 15th.
SOUTHERN BOTTLENOSE WHALE Hyperoodon planifrons 3 on 18th (day before South Georgia) and 2 on 21st (day after South Georgia).
CUVIER’S BEAKED WHALE Ziphius cavirostris 7 on 10th April, the day of crossing the Equator, then 2 on 11th and 3 on 12th.
BEAKED WHALE sp. 1 on 2nd and 1 on 5th were both thought to possibly be Cuvier’s, and 3 on 10th were probably Gervais, although just not enough details seen to clinch the id.
WHALE sp. Several were seen during the trip: 1 on 13th; 1 on 16th; 4 on 18th; 2 on 24th; 3 on 6th and 1 on 11th.
RISSO’S DOLPHIN Grampus griseus 14 on 10th April before crossing the Equator.
HOURGLASS DOLPHIN Lagenorhynchus cruciger 13 seen in the Drake Passage on 12th, approaching and leaving South Georgia 4 were seen on 17th and 20 on 18th, 8 on 21st and 6 on 23rd.
PANTROPICAL SPOTTED DOLPHIN Stenella attenuata Up to 300 seen around St.Helena on 3rd and 4th. 50 seen on 10th were probably this species and 100 seen on 12th.
SPINNER DOLPHIN200 in three pods were seen on 11th, the 3rd day after Ascension.
ROUGH-TOOTHED DOLPHIN Steno bredanensis 5 on 7th April in Ascension waters.
BOTTLENOSE DOLPHIN Tursiops truncatus 20 around Boatswainbird Island, Ascension on 7th April.
DOLPHIN sp. Unidentified dolphins were : 2 on 17th; 10 on 31st; 2 on 5th; 22 on 11th; 150+ in one pod on 12th April may have been Common or Striped.
ANTARCTIC FUR SEAL Arctocephalus gazella 3 in the Beagle Channel on 11th, common around the Antarctic Peninsula, Weddell Sea and South Georgia. Breeding colonies were seen on Brown Bluff, Gritvyken, Gold Harbour, Salisbury Plain and Prion Island. The largest numbers were on Salisbury Plain where at least 750 were seen. Quite aggressive, but harmless if you stand your ground.
SUBANTARCTIC FUR SEAL Arctocephalus tropicalis Only seen on Gough Island and Inaccessible Island in the Tristan Group. Several hundred seen on the two days at Gough, 2 off Tristan and 50 on Inaccessible Island.
SOUTHERN ELEPHANT SEAL Mirounga leonina 7 in the Antarctic Sound on 14th, 4 at Grytviken, South Georgia and 75 at Gold Harbour on 19th, 2 at Salisbury Plain on 20th. at Gough Island, 3 on 25th and 16 on 26th.
CRABEATER SEAL Lobodon carcinophaga 80 in Antarctic Sound/Weddell Sea on 14th, 6 at Brown Bluff and 10 in the Antarctic Sound on 15th.
LEOPARD SEAL Hydrurga leptonyx 1 in Antarctic Sound on 14th, 2 at Brown Bluff, Antarctica and 6 in the Antarctic Sound on 15th.
WEDDELL SEAL Leptonychotes weddelli 2 in the Antarctic Sound on 14th, 1 on Brown Bluff, Antarctica and 5 in the Antarctic Sound on 15th.
SOUTH AMERICAN SEALION Otaria flavescens 6 seen in the Beagle Channel on 11th.
Several other mammals were seen on the voyage, although almost all introduced in one way or another. On Tierra del Fuego, we saw Guanaco, Red Fox, Beaver, and European Hare. On Tristan da Cunha a few House Mice were seen and also on St.Helena, where Rabbits were also seen.
Other wildlife seen on the trip, included: Up to 8 Atlantic Green Turtles egg laying on Ascension, 2 Loggerhead Turtles, 1 Leatherback Turtle and a couple of unidentified Turtles at sea between Ascension and Cape Verde. Also in the tropical ocean were large numbers of flying fish, with up to 1000+ a day seen, 1 Whale Shark and 1 Hammerhead Shark were also seen. Between Ascension and Cape Verde were also good numbers of Man’o War types.
|
|
|
WildWings, 577 Fishponds Road, Fishponds, Bristol. BS16 3AF.UK
|
|
|
| Tel: 0117 9658 333 | Fax: 0117 9375681 | Email: wildinfo@wildwings.co.uk |
|
|
