Peter James Fullagar: Green Cape 2006

The old lighthouse Green Cape NSW

Visit to Green Cape NSW 12-17 June 2006

Green Cape juts out into the Tasman Sea at the extreme south-eastern corner of mainland Australia. It is just north of the border between the states of NSW and Victoria. Previous reports on visits to Green Cape can be found on earlier blog postings.

Dawn off the cape

Another dawn off the Cape

And another

For this trip the group had booked the #1 Cottage from Monday to Saturday. The party was made up of Mike and Colleen Crowley, John Disney, Ederic Slater and Peter Fullagar. We planned to watch for seabirds and whales, walk the Bittangabee to Green Cape trail and visit the Killer Whale Museum at Eden. Weather conditions were perfect all week with mostly bright sunny days and persistent W winds. We might have benefited from a southerly change and rougher seas that should have provided better prospects for seabirds but despite not having such conditions we did see a good range of albatrosses and petrels. The heaths were ‘wintery’; little was flowering, except for the conspicuous Hakea sericea, and few birds were evident despite our walk being in relatively calm conditions when calls should have been easy to detect.

Mike, Colleen, John and Ed

The survey area

Green Cape and the adjoining heathlands constitute the observation area. This area extends to as far north as the forest edge beyond the Pulpit Rock trail but does not include any part of the forest. Green Cape juts out almost SE. To the south-west is Disaster Bay and the coastline northwards from the point runs roughly NNW. To seawards our observations include the area to the limits of visibility which from the tip of the Cape (the point) involves about 320˚ of arc.

The cottage verandah

John Disney at work on the seabirds!

Old and new lighthouses

Weather, wind and sea conditions

Following some days with strong winds a NW moderate wind was blowing on the 12th when we arrived with a moderate but abating sea. This situation continued through the day on 13th with a light wind at under 10 knots. All day on the 14th the swell from the S continued to fall and the light wind remained in the NW. The wind on 15th was still in the NW to W with a light swell on the sea all day. Wind increased overnight 15-16th and was strong to gale force from the W most of the day on 16th remaining overcast with only occasional bright periods. Seas become rough but the swell was only moderate except at the Cape where large breakers were present off the point most of the day. It was cold. Overnight on 17-18th the wind abated but the swell continued with moderately heavy seas breaking along shorelines in the morning. Spectacular seas were present at City Rock.

Map downloaded from CSIRO website showing sea surface temperatures
for the period 12th -17th June 2006 (scale in °C above).

Breakers at the Cape

Observations on birds and mammals

Generally we watched from the cottage verandah and the lighthouse area but on the 14th we walked from Bittangabee back to Green Cape in the morning and early afternoon (1015-1415).

Hakea sericea flowers and nuts

A trawler headed N past the point at about 2 nautical miles during the mid afternoon on 14th gathering a large number of albatross. We estimated about 500 individuals circling the stern heading beyond the boat and landing in large pods in the wake. To the best of our ability at identification they all seemed to be Shy or Yellow-nosed Albatross but it is possible that a few other species might have been amongst them. On 15th we visited the Killer Whale Museum in Eden and had a quick look at the harbour in the mid afternoon before returning to the Cape.

Bruning off west of Eden

'Old Tom' in the Killer Whale Museum, Eden

The 'New' Killer Whale Museum in Eden

Making observations was difficult on 16th except from the verandah or at the Cape when sitting low and sheltered by the point. A significant change was observed with the arrival of prions and these continued to be present feeding just S of the Cape and close inshore behind the breakers all afternoon. By early morning on 17th the numbers of albatross had decreased dramatically and the prions had gone. We leave the Cape at about 1045 but drive down to look at City Rock before heading back to Canberra.

Birds seen this week

GIANT PETREL SP. Macronectes sp.

At least 6 seen on 13th – all going S. One seen in the afternoon behind fishing trawler on 14th. One early morning 15th going S and again one going S early morning on 16th. None confirmed to species but most likely all were Northern Giant Petrel M.halli.

CAPE PETREL Daption capense

One feeding off the Cape early morning on 16th amongst a few albatross.

GREAT-WINGED PETREL Pterodroma macroptera

One seen at cape going S at dusk on 16th.

FAIRY PRION Pachyptila turtur

Arrived in numbers (c500) late morning on 16th and a group of 40-60 remained feeding all day close off the Cape. Identification confirmed. No other species of prion was seen. Skimming close to water with heads dipped into the surface, often rushing forwards then lifting to start at another spot. Some birds slipped below the surface in shallow dives. They were picking food from the surface or just below it or hydroplaning into the wind scooping it up. Working always into the wind and swinging back to start again over the same general area.

FLUTTERING SHEARWATER Puffinus gavia

Many seen on 13th - some in flocks up to 50 birds and some foraging close in to the Cape. Most seemed to be moving S. Several seen on 14th going S but only a few going S in the morning on 15th. Present in smaller numbers all day on the 16th - often feeding with the prions off the Cape. Very few seen early morning 17th.

COMMON DIVING-PETREL Pelecanoides urinatrix

One feeding with Fairy Prions close off the Cape at dusk on 16th.

WANDERING ALBATROSS Diomedea exulans

One immature seen briefly with large numbers of Shy and Yellow-nosed Albatrosses following trawler on 14th. It was 1:1:1:1 on Gibson code.

BLACK-BROWED ALBATROSS Thalassarche malanophrys

A few seen on 13th. Several seen in the morning on 14th and again following trawler in the afternoon. Single adults seen several times on 16th with possibly more than one bird.

SHY ALBATROSS Thalassarche cauta subsp.

Numerous on 13th all day with up to 10 visible at any one time except early in the afternoon. Large numbers following trawler in the afternoon on 14th (c 300). These continued to be seen up to dusk with loafing parties resting on the sea. At dawn on 15th still large numbers present and drifting about in the lighter winds. Definite reduction in numbers during the day on 15th. Many fewer seen on 16th and less on 17th in the morning.

The Tasmanian Shy Albatross Thalassarche c. cauta and the Auckland [Island] Shy Albatross Thalassarche c. steadi are not reliably separable in the field but both undoubtedly occur in the waters off Green Cape.

SALVIN’S ALBATROSS Thalassarche salvini

At least two individuals seen several times on 16th off the Cape.

YELLOW-NOSED ALBATROSS Thalassarche chlororhynchos

A few seen on 13th. Large numbers following trawler in the afternoon on 14th (c 200). These continued to be seen up to dusk. At dawn on 15th still large numbers present and drifting about in the lighter winds mixed with the Shy Albatross but numbers decreasing during the day. Seen on 16th and like Shy Albatross not so numerous as on previous days. Very few about early morning on 17th. Two subspecies occur which are identifiable in the field. Western Yellow-nosed Albatross Thalassarche c. chlororhynchos and Eastern Yellow-nosed Albatross Thalassarche c. bassi. Birds seen were taken to be of the latter subspecies.

AUSTRALASIAN GANNET Morus serrator

Seen in large numbers on 13th with at least 80% adults. In the mid afternoon a large flock (c 500) gathered 1km E of point with birds soaring in a circulating column to as high as 500m. Fewer seen on 14th,15th, 16th and 17th.

GREAT CORMORANT Phalacrocorax carbo

At least 5 seen off the point on 13th. Two seen in Eden harbour 15th.

LITTLE BLACK CORMORANT Phalacrocorax sulcirostris

Two in Eden harbour on 15th.

LITTLE PIED CORMORANT Phalacrocorax melanoleucos

Six seen on 13th off the Cape.

BLACK-FACED CORMORANT Phalacrocorax fuscescens.

One bird seen flying S of the Cape on the 13th and another seen off the Cape early morning on 17th.

Australian Pelicans - Eden harbour

AUSTRALIAN PELICAN Pelecanus conspicillatus

Several seen in Eden Harbour on 15th.

WHITE-FACED HERON Egretta novaehollandiae.

One foraging on rock platform E of lighthouse buildings on 13th.

EASTERN REEF EGRET Egretta sacra.

One dark plumaged individual seen on rocks at the Point on 13th and 16th. Another dark morph seen at City Rock on 17th.

WHITE-BELLIED SEA-EAGLE Haliaeetus leucogaster

Two seen on 13th; one sub-adult (c 4 years) and one juvenile. One first year bird seen at point in the early morning 14th and later a sub-adult seen on heath during our walk. Again on the 15th one sub-adult was seen in the afternoon at the Cape. In the harbour at Eden one sub-adult seen on 15th. Two adults seen at Cape on 16th in the morning and a first year bird later in the afternoon.

BROWN GOSHAWK Accipiter fasciatus

One seen at Bittangabee in the mid afternoon on 14th.

PEREGRINE FALCON Falco peregrinus

One flew in off the sea N of the Cape in the late morning on 13th. It was carrying unidentified prey.

SOOTY OYSTERCATCHER Haematopus fuliginosa

Three seen in the evening on 12th foraging on the rock shelf E of cottages and at least one in the same place on 13th and again three on this rock platform in the early morning 14th.

BROWN SKUA Catharacta lonnbergi

At least 5 individuals seen flying S during the morning on the 13th. Four following the trawler on 14th. One seen going S early morning 15th and another S later in the day. One seen going N early in the morning on 16th.

Young Pacific Gulls in Eden Harbour

PACIFIC GULL Larus pacificus

One immature and one adult seen on 13th in the morning at the Cape. An adult seen flying S past the cottages in the early morning on 14th and 15th with two adults flying S past the Cape in the late afternoon on 15th. In Eden harbour at least three adults and 8 immature birds seen in the early afternoon on 15th. One adult and one immature seen going S mid morning on 16th.

Silver Gulls

SILVER GULL Larus novaehollandiae

Present at sea each day but never in large numbers. About 50 seen in Eden harbour in the early afternoon on 15th. Very few seen off Cape on 16th.

White-fronted Tern and Crested Tern

CRESTED TERN Sterna bergii

A few passing back and forth each day at the Cape and a small number seen in Eden harbour on 15th.

White-fronted Tern

WHITE-FRONTED TERN Sterna striata

At least 20 seen foraging off the Cape and along the S side of the point on 13th; often close to the surf break. At least 20 seen off the Cape on 14th, 15th and 16th and a few still present early morning on 17th.

WONGA PIGEON Lecosarcia melanoleuca

One seen on roadside in forest beyond turnoff to City Rock when we were leaving on 17th.

BRUSH BRONZEWING Phaps elegans

One near the gate into the lighthouse compound on 14th and another on the road to Bittangabee on the same day.

GLOSSY BLACK-COCKATOO Calyptorhynchus lathami

Fresh signs of crushed Alocasuarina litoralis cones on forest path from Bittangabee to Lighthouse on 14th.

YELLOW-TAILED BLACK-COCKATOO Calyptorhnchus funereus

Several Acacia sp seen with stripped bark on walk in forest from Bittangabee to lighthouse on 14th.

GANG-GANG COCKATOO Callocephalon fimbriatum

Two male and three female feeding in Eucalyptus sieberi along forest path from Bittangabee to lighthouse on 14th.

CRIMSON ROSELLA Platycercus elegans

One adult with an immature seen at Bittangabee on 14th.

SUPERB LYREBIRD Menura novaehollandiae

One heard at Bittangabee on 14th where numerous scratchings were found.

WHITE-THROATED TREE-CREEPER Cormobates leucophaeus

One heard and seen at Bittangabee on 14th.

Female Superb Fairy-wren

SUPERB FAIRY-WREN Malurus cyaneus

A group of at leat 5 present near the cottages each day. No breeding plumaged males.

No song.

WHITE-BROWED SCRUBWREN Sericornis frontalis

A few seen in forest and on heath during walk from Bittangabee to lighthouse on 14th.

STRIATED THORNBILL Acanthiza striatus

A few seen in forest during walk from Bittangabee to lighthouse on 14th.

BROWN THORNBILL Acanthiza pusilla

Several seen in forest during walk from Bittangabee to lighthouse on 14th.

RED WATTLEBIRD Anthochaera carunculata

Two heard at Bittangabee on 14th.

LITTLE WATTLEBIRD Anthochaera chrysoptera.

Recorded each day. Often present in the large Coast Banksia Banksia integrifolia close to the entrance gate. Not very vocal. Not numerous nor conspicuous.

NEW HOLLAND HONEYEATER Phylidonyris novaehollandiae

One near lighthouse on 13th. None singing. Seen in forest and on heath in small numbers during walk on 14th and two seen at Cape on 16th.

CRESCENT HONEYEATER Phylidonyris pyrrhoptera

Small numbers seen at Bittangabee on 14th.

TAWNY-CROWNED HONEYEATER Phylidonyris melanops

Three seen on heath during walk from Bittangabee to lighthouse on 14th.

EASTERN SPINEBILL Acanthorhynchus tenuirostris

One heard and seen in forest on 14th.

Eastern Yellow Robin

EASTERN YELLOW ROBIN Eopsaltria australis

One seen near the cottages on 13th and 14th and two on 15th. At least six seen at aBittangabee and several in forest during walk from Bittangabee to lighthouse on 14th.

EASTERN WHIPBIRD Psephodes olivaceus

One near cottages on 13th. None heard calling.

GOLDEN WHISTLER Pachycephala pectoralis

One female seen in forest on walk from Bittangabee to lighthouse on 14th.

GREY SHRIKE-THRUSH Colluricincla harmonica

One heard on heath during the walk from Bittangabee to lighthouse on 14th. One seen in dense Melaleuca armillaris thickets along the path to City Rock on 17th.

WHITE-BELLIED CUCKOO-SHRIKE Coracina papuensis

One seen in forest during walk from Bittangabee to lighthouse on 14th.

PIED CURRAWONG Strepera graculina

Two at Bittangabee on 14th.

Raven silhouette from below

AUSTRALIAN RAVEN Corvus coronoides

Two birds seen on 13th near the cottages in the morning and at least one seen each day thereafter except on 16th.

SATIN BOWERBIRD Ptilorhynchus violaceus

Two male and three green birds at Bittangabee on 14th.

AUSTRALIAN PIPIT Anthus australis

One seen near cottages each day 13th-15th but three seen at Cape on 16th.

BEAUTIFUL FIRETAIL Stagonopleura bella

One seen in forest during walk from Bittangabee to lighthouse on 14th.

MISTLETOEBIRD Dicaeum hirundinaceum

A male seen in forest on walk from Bittangabee to lighthouse on 14th.

WELCOME SWALLOW Hirundo neoxena

One seen foraging above the cliffs and near the cottages on the 13th. One seen at Bittangagbee and another on heath during walk from Bittangabee to lighthouse on 14th. One present at point on 16th.

SILVEREYE Zosterops lateralis

Several parties seen and heard near cottages on 13th, all of the southern subspecies. Seen in forest during walk from Bittangabee to lighthouse on 14th.

Bassian Thrush at Bittangabee

BASSIAN THRUSH Zoothera lunulata

Two seen at Bittangabee on 14th.

Mammals recorded

BANDICOOT sp.

Numerous fresh diggings seen in forest during walk from Bittangabee to lighthouse on 14th.

COMMON WOMBAT Vombatus Ursinus

Signs abundant but none seen. Scats seen throughout the forest area and occasionally on the heath during walk from Bittangabee to lighthouse on 14th.

COMMON RING-TAIL POSSUM Pseudochirus peregrinus

Dreys seen in dense Melaleuca armillaris near the cemetery at the Cape.

EASTERN GREY KANGAROO Macropus giganteus

Two seen near cottages on 13th and 14th. One large animal seen in the evening at cottages on 15th, which is probably the same individual present at the Cape for several years past.

BLACK (SWAMP) WALLABY Wallabia bicolour

One seen near the Point on 13th. Several seen on the walk from Bittangabee to lighthouse on the 14th, both in the forest and on the heath.

RED-NECKED WALLABY Macropus ruficollis

One seen in forest on the way to Bittangabee on 14th.

AUSTRALIAN FUR SEAL Arctocephalus pusillus (doriferus)

Four seen on 13th but only three observed on 14th and none on 15th. At least 5 counted off the Cape on 16th.

EUROPEAN RABBIT Orytolagus cuniculus

None seen but signs present.

Humpback Whale 'rolling-in' and blowing

HUMPBACK WHALE Megaptera novaeangliae

Six to ten seen on 13th going N and two in the afternoon. All moving unhurriedly. Five going N at 0900hrs 14th and four at dusk going N. A few (at least 6) moving N in the afternoon on 15th. Five seen on 16th – all going N some breeching well in the heavy seas. Two or three seen going N in the early morning 17th.

Acknowledgments

We would like to thank the caretakers at Green Cape, Alan and Sandy Roadknight, for their most generous hospitality during our stay.