Memorandum to:         The Director of Birds Australia

 

From:                           Birds Australia Rarities Committee (BARC)

 

Date:                            9th February 2007

 

 

Voting Members:         Andrew Silcocks            Mike Carter

Glenn Holmes                John Hatch

                                    Tony Palliser                 Rohan Clarke

                                    Jamie Matthew              Danny Rogers

                       

Cc.                               Keith Brandwood, Alan Morris                

 

 

 

Submission No 487: Great Shearwater Puffinus gravis off Wollongong, NSW, 22nd April 2006.  Submitted by:  Richard Baxter, Lindsay Smith and Inger Vandyke.

 

Verdict: Accepted

 

This submission concerns the sighting of a Great Shearwater Puffinus gravis on the 22nd April 2006 during an organized pelagic from Wollongong, NSW.  The bird was particularly obliging, following the vessel for several hours providing amply opportunity for photography.

 

The photographic evidence and ensuing description leave no doubt about the identity or circumstances behind the sighting with members voting unanimously in favour of acceptance.

 

This is the fourth confirmed record for Australia. The first being a bird (or perhaps two birds) sighted three times over a four-day period by separate observers 100Nm apart off south-east South Australia in January 1989. (BARC Case No. 165) and the second was a bird sighted from Portland, Vic 11 April 1999 (BARC Case No. 267) and the third a bird seen off Port Fairy in western Victoria on the 2nd April 2002 (BARC Case No. 371).

 

 

References and Bibliography:

 

·       Patterson, R.M. (1996), RAOU Records Appraisal Committee: Opinions and Case Summaries 1992-1995: RAOU Report No. 101. Case Number 165, p23.

·       Harrison, P. (1987), Seabirds of the world: A photographic guide. Christopher Helm, London.

·       Enticott, J. & Tipling, D. (1997), Photographic Handbook of the Seabirds of the World, New Holland, London.

·       Lindsey, T. (1986), The Seabirds of Australia, National Photographic Index of Australian Wildlife, Angus and Robertson, Sydney.

·       Marchant, S. & Higgins, P.J. (Eds) (1990), Handbook of Australian, New Zealand & Antarctic Birds. Vol. 1, Ratites to Ducks, Oxford University Press, Melbourne.

 

 

Tony Palliser

Chairman, Birds Australia Rarities Committee