Outing report- 27th July 2013 Bird & Whale Watching Boat Trip

(Photo Andy Ruffle)

Passengers: Renate Deveden, Gerald & Sue McCay, Geoff Nichols, Hazel van Rooyen, Sean Ross, Andy Ruffle,  Val Smith, Penny Taylor, Anne Thompson.

Conditions were perfect for us this morning, on the last of this year’s boat charters.

Clear sky, little wind and a beautifully calm sea greeted us at the Shelly Beach Ski Boat Launch Site.

We weren’t out long before Geoff called ‘’Albatross’’ and sure enough, behind us we saw an immature Indian Yellow-nosed Albatross flying towards the boat. It circled us a few times before heading off. It was interesting to note that our offerings of sardines didn’t tempt it in this time.

immature Indian Yellow-nosed Albatross
(Photo Geoff Nichols)

 

immature Indian Yellow-nosed Albatross
(Photo Geoff Nichols)

Signs of whale activity could be seen in the distance, so we set course to obtain some closer views, but made a quick detour to a sea angling boat, to stock up on sardines.  As we moved away the arrival of the whales was heralded by the spectacular sight of a Humpback breaching some 100m from us.

The stage was now set as we saw whale after whale.

(Photo Geoff Nichols)

(Photo Geoff Nichols)

(Photo Hazel van Rooyen)

A dark bird sitting on the water attracted our attention. Closer inspection revealed a Subantarctic Skua. This bird was much more accommodating, giving us a nice show as we tossed out sardines.

 Sub-antarctic Skua
(Photo Geoff Nichols)

 Sub-antarctic Skua
(Photo Hazel van Rooyen)

Sub-antarctic Skua
(Photo Geoff Nichols)

 

Three Cape Gannets flying over the water in formation and a Swift Tern were other bird sightings today.

This trip was by far the best of the series so far.’ What will next year hold in store?’ we ask.

Outing report- Boat trip 13th July 2013

The lucky participants on the 13th July charter
(Photo Andy Ruffle)

Passengers: Roz & Clive Addison, Eileen Brannigan, Doug Butcher, Renate Deveden, John Irven, Stacy Jones, Andy Ruffle,  Alida Stofberg, Penny Taylor.

We were fortunate to have lovely conditions for this morning’s boat trip. Calm wind, blue skies and a relatively calm sea, the 2m swells being bouncy rather than rough.

Formalities completed, we boarded our vessel ‘Mama Mia’ (I feel a song coming on) and headed out to the great blue yonder. Negotiating the breakers was a bit more challenging today, but our skipper did a great job of getting us to the calmer waters passed the back line.

It wasn’t too long before we were seeing signs of whale activity. 6kms out and abeam Margate someone called ‘bird’, drawing our eyes to what we were expecting to be a gannet flying directly towards us. As the large bird banked around the boat, we couldn’t believe our eyes when it revealed itself as an albatross.

The albatross flies in
(Photo Doug Butcher)

 

juvenile (immature) Indian Yellow-nosed Albatross
(Photo Andy Ruffle)

The relaxed atmosphere on the boat immediately turned to excitement as the skipper scrambled for a box of sardines and the passengers rooted for their cameras and binoculars.

The bird was very obliging, making itself comfortable on the water close to the boat and devouring the sardines being offered. Our unexpected visitor was soon identified as a juvenile Indian Yellow-nosed Albatross.

The yellow top to the bill can be seen developing
(Photo Andy Ruffle)

According to Roberts Online the world population of Indian Yellow-nosed Albatross is estimated at 140,000 birds. Of these, some 20,000 spend winter over the southern African continental shelf and shelf-break (where the shelf plummets down to the ocean floor). This could explain why we saw the bird so close to shore.

Narrow continental shelf along our coast
(Image: Google Earth)

family of Humpback Whales
(Photo John Irven)

(Photo Doug Butcher)

(Photo Doug Butcher)

 

What a ride!!!!!!!
(Photo Mama Mia Boat Cruises)

To see more pics from the trip click here.
So, yet another enthralling trip. The question is, what will we see next time?

KZN Rarity spotted on Shelly Beach Boat Trip

Text by Andy Ruffle

22 members and 'Friends' of Birdlife Trogons took advantage of two boat charters, organised by the club and operated by Hot Stuff Pleasure Cruises, from Shelly Beach on 29th & 30th June.
Our skipper on both days was Mike (not Fagan), who performed perfect smooth launches, was highly informative on the trip and brought us back to dry land in an utterly thrilling manner.
If there is enough interest, Andy is considering the possibility of another charter when (and if) the Sardines arrive. However, participants would need to be able to drop everything and get to the launch site at the drop of a hat, as these little fish are very unpredictable. 
Here are the reports for each day's charter, with a very special sighting on the 30th.
Some of the photos maybe of rather suspect quality, but it gives you an idea of what can be expected on one of these trips.

29th June Boat Charter

Passengers on the 29th June charter (see list below)
(Photo Andy Ruffle)

Passenger list (left to right): Nick Baglow, Willie van Zyl, Yegas Naidoo, Wilna van Zyl, Penny Taylor, Grace Kendall, Lan Yeadon (and grandson), Ann Maher and Liz. Andy Ruffle behind camera.

Unfortunately, the only birds seen this morning was a Kelp Gull and some Oystercatchers flying along the beach at Orange Rocks. This was more than made up by some absolutely stunning views of lots of Humpback Whales on their way to the breeding grounds. When you can actually see barnacles growing on these magnificent animals, with the naked eye, you know you are experiencing something really special.

Our first sighting of a Humpback Whale
(Photo Andy Ruffle)

and the sightings just kept getting better and better
(Photo Andy Ruffle)

No not a cloud on the water- this is the splash a
breaching whale makes when it hits the water
(Photo Andy Ruffle)

Whale ''slapping''.
For more info on surface behaviour of whales see
the link under references at the bottom of the page
(Photo Andy Ruffle)

''A picture is worth a thousand words''
I will say no more
(Photo Andy Ruffle)

30th June Boat Charter

Passengers on the 30th June charter (see list below)
(Photo Andy Ruffle)

Passenger list (left to right): Noeleen Phillips, Janet Dalton, Hazel van Rooyen, Lennart Erikkson, Evelyn Heunis, Stacy Jones, Herbie Osborne, Eileen Brannigan, Jeanette Osborne, Steve Peacock. (Andy Ruffle behind the camera)

Having been on the charter on the 29th, I didn't really think it could get any better. Oh how wrong can you be.
There definitely appeared to be more birds present today, albeit Kelp Gulls and a couple of Cape Gannets. When the skipper called a bird on the water, we really did not expect what we were about to see. To our amazement, there, bobbing around on the water, was an African Penguin. This is a truly special sighting for the KZN coast. Steve Davies, the previous chair of the KZN Rarities Committee, doesn't recall an African Penguin being seen in KZN for the past 10 years. I am waiting to find out the actual number of sightings and will then update the post.

African Penguin off Uvongo
(No it's not a rubber duck photoshopped!)
(Photo Hazel van Rooyen)

We were all rather concerned that this little critter was not going to make it back to the Cape alive, however, according to Roberts Online, first year birds are known to move into KZN waters during Jun-Oct and are probably following the sardines. This bodes well for our bird, as they presumably do return safely.

Humpback breaching- Amazing!!!!
(Photo Hazel van Rooyen)

Humpbacks ''Spyhopping''
(Photo Hazel van Rooyen)

Humpbacks frollicking- well done Hazel nice pic!!
(Photo Hazel van Rooyen)

Mike explains how the shark nets work
(Photo Andy Ruffle)

Well as you can see, a truly magical experience and worth every cent. If these pics don't wet your appetite, nothing will.
I'm sure the club will be arranging more charters in the future.

References
Roberts online
Wikipedia- Whale surface behaviour