'Rare Bird Holidays at Agincourt Reef' - June 2006

Great Barrier Reef  – Many visitors to Tropical North Queensland consider a trip to the Great Barrier Reef as “once-in-a-lifetime” experience and so it also seems to be for an adventurous arctic bird.  A Giant Northern Petrel recently made his winter home on the Quicksilver platform at Agincourt Reef.  Listed as a vulnerable species, and one that rarely ventures above the NSW border, this young feathered friend seems to need a warm tropical holiday.

“This bird, a Northern Giant-petrel Macronectes halli, appears to have been caught up in the recent strong tradewinds, lost his way and decided to stop here for a rest and some food before heading back south,” says Phil Laycock, a member of Quicksilver’s Reef Biosearch team and an environmental monitoring researcher in Tropical North Queensland.  “It is extremely rare to see these birds this far north.  In fact, local birdwatchers say to see one in this region during our lifetime is considered very lucky.”

First spotted at Agincourt Reef on Monday, 19 June, “Pedro” the petrel, appeared to have flown south a week later.  However, those aboard Kalina, Quicksilver’s research vessel, did have sightings at the beginning of July with Pedro then returning to the platform yesterday.

“We estimate this particular bird is an immature male, probably around a year old but in good health,” continued Laycock.  “Immature birds of this species are known to make long, poor circumpolar and trans-oceanic movements but typically only to northern NSW, not the Queensland tropics.  He may have returned due to the turn in our weather again so we’ll continue to observe and enjoy him for as long as he stays.”

Whilst on the Quicksilver platform, this young male seems to be comfortable with the other birds and visitors arriving daily, even playing with snorkellers in the swimming area off the platform.  With a wingspan of 200cm and a length of 90cm, this large seabird playfully flies over the snorkelling area, walks along the platform with excited crew and seems to even pose for visitors snapping photos of their extraordinary experience on the Great Barrier Reef.

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For more information, go to:  NSW NATIONAL PARKS