ANTARTIC PRION

Photographed on Port MacDonnell pelagic, June 2019

1297                   ANTARTIC PRION                    Pachyptila desolata

AUSTRALIA                780

Also known as Dove Prion, and more commonly as whalebird. Breeds in Antarctic and sub-antartica islands; Ranges to n to 35degrees south, occasionally across equator. Common winter-spring visitor to offshore waters of s Australia from s WA to Was and to se Queensland.

GREAT SHEARWATER

Photographed on Eaglehawk pelagic, Tasmania, June 2019

1296                  GREAT SHEARWATER                 Ardenna gravis

AUSTRALIA                779

Population of near 5 million mostly in the Atlantic Ocean with regular occurrence into w Indian Ocean near SA. Vagrant to Australian waters with about 6 sightings before an influx in 2011. Most records over off-shore waters or at the shelf.

SOOTY ALBATROSS

Photographed on Eaglehawk pelagic, Tasmania, June 2019

1295                 SOOTY ALBATROSS              Phoebetria fusca

AUSTRALIA                 778

Frequents sub-Antarctic/temperate waters of s oceans; regular in autumn off Vic/SA, vagrant to NSW. Mostly beyond continental shelf; rarely seen from land. Usually singly or occasionally small groups. Effortly follows hips, passing interest in fishing vessels. Breeds on sub-Antartic Islands of Indian/Atlantic Oceans.

SOUTHERN FULMAR

Photographed on Eaglehawk pelagic, Tasmania, June 2019

1294                SOUTHERN FULMAR                   Fulmarus glacialoides

AUSTRALIA              777

Inhabits southern oceans, breeds in Antartica where it is a bird of the pack-ice and nearby waters.

MOREPORK

Photographed at Eaglehawk Neck, Tasmania, June 2019

1293                 MOREPORK                 Ninox novaeseelandiae  

AUSTRALIA                776

Also referred to as Tasmanian Boobook. Often lumped with Southern Boobook but separated by DNA and is similar to New Zealand Boobook. Some migrate across Bass Strait.