List of birds seen at Green Cape prepared in 2007

 This Green Cape list is based on information compiled for Gabo Island (Fullagar et al. 2006). When preparing the Gabo list it was necessary to make a more realistic appraisal of the seabirds likely to occur in the surrounding waters. The most relevant additional information came from observations made by David Barton (Barton 1978, 1979). Another particularly valuable source of recent sightings came from the reports of pelagic seabird trips out of the port of Eden, NSW.  Some of these pelagic reports have been posted on the internet (Eden Pelagic Trips Reports September 1998 to July 2000). The names of those species usually present in winter in the waters off the south-east of Australia are shown in bold.

Little Penguin Eudyptula minor

Abundant. There have been several attempts at estimating the size of the breeding population on Gabo Island (Reilly 1977, Harris 1979, Harris and Norman 1981). During a 4-8 Oct 1993 visit, 92 landing sites were mapped and the number of penguins landing each night was estimated to be 7 500 and it was thought that laying had still to reach its peak (Fullagar et al. 1994). At the time, the impression was that the breeding population could be between 15 000 and 20 000 pairs. A detailed survey in Nov 1994 gave an estimated number of breeding pairs of between 15 000 and 18 000 (Fullagar et al. 1995). 

Common Diving-Petrel Pelecanoides urinatrix

(Eden Pelagics).

Giant Petrel sp. Macronectes sp.

Few records; 3 immature birds (not identified to species) seen 26 Oct 1996, Gabo Island.

Southern Giant-Petrel Macronectes giganteus

(Eden Pelagics).

Northern Giant-Petrel Macronectes halli

(Eden Pelagics).

Southern Fulmar Fulmarus glacialoides

(Eden Pelagics).

Cape Petrel Daption capense

One seen 8 Oct 2000, Gabo Island.

Great-winged Petrel Pterodroma macroptera

(Barton 1978; Eden Pelagics).

White-headed Petrel Pterodroma lessoni

One seen 26 nautical miles S of Gabo Island, 10 Aug 1977 (Barton 1978)

Providence Petrel Pterodroma solandri

(Eden Pelagics).

Gould’s Petrel Pterodroma leucoptera

(Eden Pelagics).

Antarctic Prion Pachyptila desolata

(Eden Pelagics).

Slender-billed Prion Pachyptila belcheri

(Eden Pelagics).

Fairy Prion Pachyptila turtur

Few records; on Gabo Island a headless carcase was found 27 Nov 1995; c. 3000 prions were seen S of island 3 Oct 2000 and >500 the following day were thought to be this species.

White-chinned Petrel Procellaria aequinoctialis

Seen in 1977 as close as 30 nautical miles S of Gabo Island (Barton 1978). One of two collected 27 Oct 1977 at 13.6 nautical miles ESE Green Cape, NSW, is now a specimen in the Australian National Wildlife Collection (ANWC) (Barton 1978).

Black Petrel Procellaria parkinsoni

(Eden Pelagics).

Streaked Shearwater Calonectris lecomelas

One collected 30.4 nautical miles S of Gabo Island, 5 March 1978, is now a specimen in the ANWC (Barton 1978).

Wedge-tailed Shearwater Ardenna pacifica

Few records; from Gabo Island 4 claimed to be seen at sea 2 Oct 1978; 2 identified among many Short-tailed Shearwaters 26 Nov 1994 and sighted several times on 5 Dec 1994.

Buller’s Shearwater Ardenna bulleri

(Barton 1978; Eden Pelagics).

Flesh-footed Shearwater Ardenna carneipes

(Barton 1978; Eden Pelagics).

Sooty Shearwater Ardenna grisea

Few records; Off Gabo Island seen at sea Oct 1993 mixed in with the heavy passage of Short-tailed Shearwaters, Nov-Dec 1994.

Short-tailed Shearwater Ardenna tenuirostris

Abundant. There have been several attempts at estimating the size of the breeding population on Gabo Island (Reilly 1977, Harris 1979, Harris and Norman 1981). The most recent survey in Oct-Nov 1996 gave an estimated number of breeding pairs of 6 400 (Fullagar & Heyligers 1996).

Fluttering Shearwater Puffinus gavia

Common; off Gabo Island >2000 seen at sea Dec 1975, seen at sea Jan 1981, few on 7 Oct 1993, Nov-Dec 1994, Nov 1995, Oct-Nov 1996, Feb and Oct 2000. Specimen found Dec 1975, 3 specimens Feb 1980, one specimen 9 Oct 2000.

Hutton’s Shearwater Puffinus huttoni

(Eden Pelagics). c. 20 off N end of Gabo Island on 

4 Oct 2000 possibly this species.

Wandering Albatross Diomedea exulans

[NB Five species are now sometimes recognized within this taxon. At least two of these would occur off Green Cape. Wandering (Snowy) Albatross Diomedea exulans and Auckland (Island) Albatross Diomedea gibsoni .] 

Few records; Off Gabo Island with 2 seen Dec 1975.

Northern Royal Albatross Diomedea epomophora sandfordi

[NB Two subspecies are identifiable in the field and recently they have been treated by some authorities as species - Northern Royal Albatross Diomedea sandfordi and Southern Royal Albatross Diomedea epomophora]

(Eden Pelagics).

Black-browed Albatross Thalassarche malanophrys

Common; off Gabo Island 4 seen at sea Dec 1975 and 1 in June 1978; a few seen in Oct 1993, also seen in Nov-Dec 1994, up to 4 seen daily 23-25 Nov 1995, a few seen in Oct-Nov 1996. Single birds seen on 3, 5 and 8 Oct 2000 but c. 20 on 6 Oct 2000.

Campbell [Island] Albatross Thalassarche melanophrys impavida

[NB Sometimes treated as a separate species Thalassarche impavida] 

(Barton 1978; Eden Pelagics).

Shy Albatross Thalassarche cauta

[NB Shy Albatrosses have recently been treated by some authorities as four species. Two of these are very similar: the Tasmanian Shy Albatross Thalassarche cauta and the Auckland [Island] Shy Albatross Thalassarche steadi. They are not reliably separable in the field but both undoubtedly occur in the waters off Green Cape. Another, but very distinctive Shy Albatross the Chatham [Island]Albatross Thalassarche eremita is also now regarded by most authorities as a full species. This Shy Albatross has not so far been reported from the waters off Green Cape]

Common; 2 seen at sea  off Gabo Island Nov 1985 and frequently seen Oct 1993, few seen 23-25 Nov 1995, up to 50 seen at a time in Oct-Nov 1996; between 5 and 20 seen daily between 3-9 Oct 2000. On 9 and 10 Oct 2000 60-80 mollymawks were seen following a fishing vessel trawling S of Gabo Island. This species seemed to be the predominant one.

Salvin's Albatross Thalassarche salvini

[NB identifiable in the field from all other Shy Albatrosses and now usually treated, as here, as a full species.]

One identified at sea 22 Nov 1994 off Gabo Island.

Grey-headed Albatross Thalassarche chrysostoma

(Eden Pelagics).

Yellow-nosed Albatross Thalassarche chlororhynchos

[NB Two subspecies occur which are identifiable in the field. They are now sometimes treated as full species – Western Yellow-nosed Albatross Thalassarche chlororhynchos and Eastern (Indian) Yellow-nosed Albatross Thalassarche bassi] . 

Only the Eastern subspecies has been recorded in this sea area. 

Eastern Yellow-nosed Albatross Thalassarche bassi

Off Gabo Island 1 seen 4 Oct 1993 and single birds seen 5 and 6 Oct 2000 and c.10 on 7 and 8 Oct 2000. It is probable that some of the mollymawks seen following the trawler on 9 and 10 Oct were this species (see Shy Albatross). (Eden Pelagics).

Buller’s Albatross Thalassarche bulleri

[NB Sometimes treated as two species but they are not separable in the field. Northern Buller’s Albatross Thalassarche platei and Southern Buller’s Albatross Thalassarche bulleri]. 

(Barton 1979; Eden Pelagics).

Sooty Albatross Phoebetria fusca

One seen 25 Sep 1977 at about 25 km SSE of Green Cape, NSW (Barton 1979). Record claimed for island 17 Oct 1998.

Wilson’s Storm-Petrel Oceanites oceanicus

(Barton 1978; Eden Pelagics).

Grey-backed Storm-Petrel Garrodia nereis

Several seen in April 1977 at 18 nautical miles SSE of Green Cape, NSW (Barton 1978).

White-faced Storm-Petrel Pelagodroma marina

Not known to breed on Gabo Island, but breeding colony present on nearby Tullaberga Island (Harris 1979, Harris and Norman 1981). One seen 4 Dec 1975, two wings found Feb 1980 and a few seen at sea 4 Oct 1993.

Australian Pelican Pelicanus conspicillatus

Occasional; 2 circling over airstrip Gabo Island 30 Dec 1996, 2 in Santa Barbara Bay 28 Sep 2000 and one at north end of island 7 Oct 2000.

Australasian Gannet Morus serrator

Common; seen at sea in variable numbers (up to 100) on most visits to Gabo Island.

Brown Booby Sula leucogaster

(Eden Pelagics).

Little Pied Cormorant Phalacrocorax melanoleucos

First reported at Gabo Island in Feb 1980. One or two birds seen on most subsequent visits. 

Black-faced Cormorant Phalacrocorax fuscescens

Rare; on Gabo Island one adult, first seen 5 Oct 1993; and single birds regularly seen during most later visits, but 3 on 25 Nov 1995.

Pied Cormorant Phalacrocorax varius

Infrequent; on Gabo Island 10+ seen in Dec 1975, 4 in Feb 1980, 1 on 5 Oct 1993, 1 in Oct-Nov 1996.

Little Black Cormorant Phalacrocorax sulcirostris

Rare; on Gabo Island 1 seen 21 Nov 1994.

Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo

Common; on Gabo Island seen almost all visits, usually in numbers between 10 and 40, but 70 seen on 7 Oct 1993 at south end.

Brown Skua Stercorarius lonnbergi

Few reports; 2 seen off Gabo Island Oct-Nov 1996.

South Polar Skua Stercorariuus mccormicki

One collected 6.8 nautical miles SE of Tathra, NSW, 13 Nov 1977, is now a specimen in the ANWC (Barton 1978).

Pomarine Skua Stercorarius pomarinus.

Few reports; 2 seen off Gabo Island 26 Oct 1996.

Arctic Skua Stercorarius parasitica

Few reports; Two seen off Gabo Island at sea on 6 Oct 1993, 1 in late Nov 1995, 2 on 26 Oct 1996, 1 on 12 Dec 1997 and several seen in Oct 2000. Birds recorded as Arctic/Pomarine Skua seen in Feb 1980.

Long-tailed Skua Stercorarius longicaudus

(Barton 1978; Eden Pelagics).

Pacific Gull Larus pacificus

Infrequent; reported at Gabo Island 13 Oct 1977, 1 immature seen 5 Oct 1993, 1 subadult 30 Nov 1994, 2 subadults 24 Nov 1995, 3 immature birds 3 Oct 2000.

Kelp Gull Larus dominicanus

A male collected 6.9 nautical miles E of Eden, NSW, 3 Jan 1978 is now a specimen in the ANWC (Barton 1978).

Silver Gull Chroicocephalus novaehollandiae

Common; does not breed on Gabo island, but small colony present at Mallacoota inlet. Reported on almost all visits to Gabo Island in numbers up to 100 or more.

Caspian Tern Hydroprogne caspia

Infrequent; at Gabo Island 2 seen at NW side of island 5 Oct 1993; 2 at N tip of island 24 Nov 1994; 1 seen near wharf on 9 and 11 Dec 1997; 2 seen daily around the island 3-9 Oct 2000.

Crested Tern Thalasseus bergii

Common; does not breed on Gabo island but seen at sea on most visits in numbers up to 85.

White-fronted Tern Sterna striata

Few reports; at Gabo Island. 1 on 26 Nov 1994, also reported Oct-Nov 1996.

Common Tern Sterna hirundo (longipenn

Few reports; at Gabo Island 5 reported in Dec 1975, 3 on 4 Oct 2000 and 1 on 10 Oct 2000.

Artic Tern Sterna paradisaea

Two seen at 3 nautical miles E of Green Cape, NSW, 11 March 1977 and another seen 7.8 nautical miles E of Eden, NSW, 20 Dec 1977 (Barton 1978).

Sooty Tern Onychoprion fuscus

One seen 4.6 nautical miles SE of Skerries, Victoria, 20 Jan 1978 (Barton 1978).

Grey Ternlet Procelsterna cerulea (?albivitta)

One collected about 36 nautical miles S of Gabo Island on 22 Jan 1978, is now a specimen in the ANWC (Barton 1978). 

REFERENCES

Barton D. 1978. Birds seen at sea off southern NSW and eastern Victoria. Australian Seabird Group Newsletter No. 10, May 1978, pp 14-19.

Barton, D. 1979. Albatrosses in the western Tasman Sea, Emu 79: 31–35.

Eden Pelagic.Tony Palliser's Pelagic Home Page once covered reports from 15 day-trips out of Eden between 20 September 1998 and 28 October 2000. The website was reorganized and these data are now only available at http://web.archive.org/web/20010407123942/users.bigpond.net.au/palliser/rpt-indx.html

Fullagar, P.J. & Heyligers, P.C. 1996. Gabo Island shearwater surveys 1995 and 1996. M I Partners Report No. 5, iv + 16 pp + Appendix.

Fullagar, P.J., Heyligers, P.C. & Crowley, M.A. 2006. Notes on the common birds of Gabo Island, Victoria. Corella 30: 21-26.

Fullagar, P.J., Heyligers, P.C., van Tets, G.F. & Crowley, M.A. 1994. 

A reconnaissance of Gabo Island to assess the feasibility of a Little Penguin breeding population survey. M I Partners Report No. 2, 13 pp.

Fullagar, P.J., Heyligers, P.C., Crowley, M.A. & Klomp N.I. 1995. Gabo Island penguin survey, November 1994. M I Partners Report No. 4, iv + 18 pp + Appendix.

Harris, M.P. 1979. The seabirds of the Victorian islands. A report to the Minister for Conservation, Victorian State Government. ITE Project 588, Institute of Terrestrial Ecology (Natural Environment Research Council), 84 pp + references and appendices.

Harris, M.P. & Norman, F.I. 1981. Distribution and Status of coastal Seabirds in Victoria. Mem. Nat. Mus. Vict., 42: 89-106.

Reilly, P.N. 1977. ‘Seabird Islands No. 45: Gabo Island, Victoria’. Corella 1: 51-53.

17 September 2007