HA241115: Seabirds & Cetaceans of Australasia: An Epic East Coast Pelagic

SEABIRDS & CETACEANS OF AUSTRALASIA

on board HERITAGE ADVENTURER
15 - 23 November 2024

Image © O. Thomas, Heritage Expeditions

Day 1
15 November 2024
Port Vila

As we gathered at the Holiday Inn in Port Vila, excitement was building in anticipation for our Seabirds & Cetaceans of Australasia voyage. We enjoyed the opportunity to explore the grounds of the Holiday Inn, where we observed Pacific Emerald Doves, Satin and Uniform Swiftlets, and Pacific Kingfishers.

A short bus ride through the bustling streets of Port Vila to the cruise ship dock saw us boarding our new home for the upcoming adventure, Heritage Adventurer. After settling in, taking part in the mandatory lifeboat drill and being treated to some delicious appetisers, Expedition Leader Steve introduced us to the Expedition Team and our plans for the voyage ahead.

A strategic route of seamounts and ocean currents was designed to maximise our chance of sighting seabirds and cetaceans. After a lovely dinner, we all headed to bed dreaming of the adventure ahead.
Image © S. Bradley, Heritage Expeditions
Image © S. Bradley, Heritage Expeditions
Image © S. Bradley, Heritage Expeditions
Image © S. Bradley, Heritage Expeditions
Image © S. Bradley, Heritage Expeditions

Day 2
16 November 2024
Grand Passage - New Caledonia

The early birders today were treated to fantastic observations of three Red-footed Boobies hitching a ride on the mast of Heritage Adventurer. Sair kicked off the education program with a lecture titled Cetaceans, Cetaceans, Cetaceans, followed by Oscar with Seabirds of the Tropical South Pacific.

In between lectures, we cruised from Petrie Reef to the Grand Passage and out on decks, we could spot Red-footed Boobies chasing flying fish, both Lesser and Greater Frigatebirds, Melanesian Shearwater and even the occasional Sperm Whale blow. Steve Bradley gave us an interesting lecture on photography in the afternoon, followed by the wonderful Captain's Welcome Cocktails and Dinner. The Bird Club started tonight with a fantastic turnout before we headed to our cabins to continue the adventure ahead.
Image © S. Bradley, Heritage Expeditions
Image © O. Thomas, Heritage Expeditions
Image © O. Thomas, Heritage Expeditions
Image © S. Bradley, Heritage Expeditions
Image © O. Thomas, Heritage Expeditions
Image © S. Bradley, Heritage Expeditions
Image © S. Bradley, Heritage Expeditions
Image © S. Bradley, Heritage Expeditions

Day 3
17 November 2024
Plateau des Bellona - New Caledonia

We woke up nice and early to head back out on deck with our bird experts and make the most of the wildlife around us. We set course towards Lansdowne Bank and Bellona Reef, which feature interesting underwater structures encouraging a diverse range of birdlife. Glenda shared her lecture on Plate Tectonics, followed by Milburn with Seabird Bycatch mitigation and the blue-dyed bait scientific investigation.

We had wonderful observations of both White-tailed and Red-tailed Tropicbirds, Black Noddy, large flocks of Short-tailed Shearwaters and a Beck's Petrel was also called among others. Murray then taught us how Eastern Australian currents shape seabird assemblages in the afternoon, followed by another fantastic meal and the entertaining Bird Club.
Image © S. Bradley, Heritage Expeditions
Image © S. Bradley, Heritage Expeditions
Image © O. Thomas, Heritage Expeditions
Image © S. Bradley, Heritage Expeditions
Image © S. Bradley, Heritage Expeditions
Image © S. Bradley, Heritage Expeditions
Image © S. Bradley, Heritage Expeditions

Day 4
18 November 2024
Banc Capel - New Caledonia

After a delicious breakfast, we headed towards Banc Capel, where we encountered great flocks of Wedge-tailed Shearwaters and Kermadec and Gould’s Petrels. Danny was first up with his lectures on the Ecology of the Islands followed by Murray with current research on the breeding biology of the Red-tailed Tropicbird. Oscar covered the Seabirds of the Subtropical Pacific in the afternoon, and the Bird Club covered everything seen today after a delicious dinner in the dining room.
Image © S. Bradley, Heritage Expeditions
Image © S. Bradley, Heritage Expeditions
Image © S. Bradley, Heritage Expeditions
Image © S. Bradley, Heritage Expeditions

Day 5
19 November 2024
Middleton and Elizabeth Reefs, Lord Howe Island & Ball's Pyramid - Australia

The long-awaited day had come, and at last night's briefing, Steve informed us that Heritage Adventurer would be passing Lord Howe Island and Ball’s Pyramid. The day started a little grey and drizzly, but as the skies soon cleared and the birds arrived, the decks were filled with eager birders. We had flocks of thousands of Short-tailed and Flesh-footed Shearwaters, hundreds of Grey Ternlets, Masked Boobies, Sooty Terns and Bottlenose Dolphins.

Those who took a break from the incredible birding heard from Tamzin about Lord Howe - Past and Present and Glenda on the Geology of Lord Howe Island. We saw our first albatross species with Gibson’s and Antipodean as well as Providence, Kermadec, Grey-faced, and Black-winged Petrel, Tropicbirds, and about 100 white-bellied Storm Petrel!

After a sensational day out on the decks, we headed inside to enjoy dinner and recap our day's adventure with Bird Club.
Image © S. Bradley, Heritage Expeditions
Image © S. Bradley, Heritage Expeditions
Image © M. Potter, Heritage Expeditions
Image © S. Bradley, Heritage Expeditions
Image © S. Bradley, Heritage Expeditions
Image © M. Potter, Heritage Expeditions
Image © S. Bradley, Heritage Expeditions
Image © S. Bradley, Heritage Expeditions
Image © M. Potter, Heritage Expeditions
Image © M. Potter, Heritage Expeditions
Image © O. Thomas, Heritage Expeditions

Day 6
20 November 2024
Barcoo Seamount

After a fabulous day sailing near Lord Howe Island, we altered course towards the Australian Coast, cruising over the Barcoo and Taupo Seamounts. We observed an increase in cetaceans today with False Killer Whales and Short-finned Pilot Whales spotted, as well as Gibson’s and Shy Albatross.

Steve Bradley then gave us a lecture on Photography in Research, followed by Tamzin with The Longitude problem and how it was solved. Milburn covered Albatross ID in the afternoon before the conversation was ablaze in the dining room. The latest round of Bird Club was undertaken as we excitedly shared the day's sightings.
Image © S. Bradley, Heritage Expeditions
Image © S. Bradley, Heritage Expeditions
Image © S. Bradley, Heritage Expeditions
Image © O. Thomas, Heritage Expeditions
Image © O. Thomas, Heritage Expeditions
Image © O. Thomas, Heritage Expeditions
Image © S. Bradley, Heritage Expeditions
Image © S. Bradley, Heritage Expeditions

Day 7
21 November 2024
Montague Island

Cruising south down the east Australian Coast, Oscar started the day with a lecture on Seabirds for Temperate Latitudes, followed by Murray with a Planet at Peril. Those out on the decks were treated to our most diverse day yet. It was a fantastic experience as Campbell and Buller’s Albatross, Buller’s & Little Shearwaters, White-faced Storm Petrel, White-chinned Petrel, Australian Fur Seals, Common Dolphins and a Sunfish all made an appearance.

In the afternoon, Frank entertained us with his Adventures in the Search of Birds presentation. Afterwards, we enjoyed another delicious dinner before Bird Club reconvened to discuss the day's findings.
Image © S. Bradley, Heritage Expeditions
Image © S. Bradley, Heritage Expeditions
Image © S. Bradley, Heritage Expeditions
Image © S. Bradley, Heritage Expeditions
Image © S. Bradley, Heritage Expeditions
Image © S. Bradley, Heritage Expeditions
Image © S. Bradley, Heritage Expeditions
Image © S. Bradley, Heritage Expeditions
Image © S. Bradley, Heritage Expeditions

Day 8
22 November 2024
Gull Island - Tasmania/Australia

As we followed the coastline of Tasmania, enjoying stunning geology and beautiful clouds, we saw more playful Commons Dolphin who rode our wake, much to the delight of all on board. The dolphins decided to stay with us for most of the day, which provided fabulous photo opportunities.

Oscar was first in the education program with a lecture on Citizen Science, followed by Milburn’s Subantarctic Birds. As the day progressed and the dolphin numbers grew, we also enjoyed sightings of Pacific Gull, Silver Gull and Kelp Gull. Shouts of “whale” were heard when we spotted our first breaching Humpback Whale on the horizon.

Throughout the day, we saw over 15 Humpback Whales, a Minke Whale, a Sunfish, an array of Australian Fur Seals and over 100,000 Short-tailed Shearwaters.

Sair entertained us in the afternoon with a quiz, and after an incredible day out on decks with the wildlife, we had our Captain Farewell Cocktails and Steve’s amazing end-of-voyage slideshow. It was the perfect end to a wonderful adventure.
Image © S. Bradley, Heritage Expeditions
Image © S. Bradley, Heritage Expeditions
Image © S. Bradley, Heritage Expeditions
Image © S. Bradley, Heritage Expeditions
Image © S. Bradley, Heritage Expeditions
Image © M. Potter, Heritage Expeditions
Image © S. Bradley, Heritage Expeditions
Image © O. Thomas, Heritage Expeditions
Image © S.Bradley, Heritage Expeditions
Image © S. Bradley, Heritage Expeditions

Day 9
23 November 2024
Hobart

After a fantastic experience sailing from Port Vila on our Seabirds & Cetaceans of Australasia voyage, it was land ahoy as we arrived in Hobart with a final breakfast together. We said goodbye to Heritage Adventurer, the wonderful Expedition Team and our newfound friends as new adventures beckoned.