Hi folks,

*I* will never get a chance to go (I'm lucky to get away from the I-5 corridor...), but here's a
fun-sounding trip, just in case some of the Tweeters need to twitch a mollymawk.

Jon. Anderson
Olympia, Washington
festuca at olywa.net
---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Thu, 16 Jul 1998 11:49:55 SAST-2
From: The Laughing Sheathbill <ohuyser at botzoo.uct.ac.za>
To: SEABIRD at UCT.AC.ZA
Subject: IOC pelagic trips: Cape Town

Dear Seabirders

For those of you attending the IOC in Durban in August, this may be
of interest. Please address all queries and replies to Keith Barnes
at kbarnes at maths.uct.ac.za.

regards
onno huyser
_________________________________________________________________

Owing to demand for pelagic trips in and around the IOC, we have
thrown our doors open to all. Please let me know if you are
interested in signing up for a pelagic trip from Cape Town, before
or after the IOC.

This is a non-profit venture, and an opportunity for those of you IOC
delegates to seabirdwatch on some of the finest waters in the world. I
have a pre IOC trip on the 10/11 August and there may also be
opportunities for trips post-IOC if there is interest.

A blurb below outlines the trips and gives people an idea of
expectations. Costs will differ depending on demand for trips.


PELAGIC MAGIC

Ever grimaced while ticking an albatross from land, when your field
guide offers more detail than the speck you saw dipping under the
horizon? South African pelagic trips give you the opportunity to
scoff in delight as the majestic "oceanic wanderers" approach too
close for you to focus on. Leaving the Western Cape without a
bag-full of brilliant seabirds is no longer inescapable, it's your
choice!!!

Why is South Africa so special?

The Western Cape, not surprisingly, is regarded by many specialists
as one of the best pelagic birding spots in the world, regularly supporting
hundreds of thousands of seabirds. Seabird abundance is particularly
elevated because of the highly productive, nutrient-rich upwelling system
of the Benguela current, derived from Antarctica's icy waters. Very few
places in the world provide world-class harbours and ships, a plethora
of exciting birds and the sheer spectacle of over 5 000 seabirds squabbling
over scraps behind fishing boats.

Itinerary and expectations Sailing from Simonstown, famed home of
the charismatic African Penguin, we'll set course for the deep ocean,
where operating hake trawlers will be targeted. As many as 5 000
birds, of 15-20 different species will be awaiting our arrival.
Approaching an operating trawler sets one amidst one of the largest
seabird feeding frenzies on the globe; one of the most awesome sights
any birder has ever witnessed. Once the initial adrenalin rush is
under control, and you have fought off the crippling views of
Blackbrowed Albatross, Shy Albatross, Yellownosed Albatross,
Whitechinned Petrel, Cape Gannet, Sooty Shearwater and Wilson's Storm
Petrels, we will sift through the clouds of birds in search of less
common species. The species composition of the flocks differs
depending on the time of year, as do your chances of seeing various
species.

In Winter (May-August) one would have a good chance of picking up
the enigmatic Wandering Albatross, Northern and Southern Giant
Petrels, Broadbilled Prions, Pintado Petrels, Antarctic Prion,
Subantarctic Skua and, rarely, Antarctic Fulmar. Spring
(September-October) brings passage migrants such as Softplumaged
Petrel and Great Shearwater.

If the above appeals please contact Keith Barnes at
kbarnes at maths.uct.ac.za or 27-21-789-1489 for further details.