Bremer Bay Bird Expedition

Bremer Canyon Pelagic Birdwatching Expeditions

This December, we will run four dedicated birdwatching trips to the Bremer Canyon with experienced seabird guides.

This is a rare opportunity to travel aboard Naturaliste Charters’ 23-metre whale watching catamaran, the Alison Maree, before the Killer Whale Expedition season resumes.

What You May See

The Bremer Canyon is rightly famous for its spectacular killer whale encounters throughout summer and autumn, but the birdlife can be equally exciting!

These trips will target pelagic seabirds, with the hope of encountering a different assemblage from that typically seen during our Killer Whale Expeditions.

While this is a new time of year for our dedicated seabird trips to the canyon, many species have previously been recorded during December expeditions.

Species we have a good chance of encountering include:

• Wandering Albatrosses, including Snowy and Gibson’s
• Indian Yellow-nosed Albatrosses
• Black-browed Albatrosses, including a chance of Campbell Albatross (impavida)
• Shy Albatrosses
• Great-winged Petrels
• Soft-plumaged Petrels
• Flesh-footed Shearwaters
• Short-tailed Shearwaters
• Hutton’s Shearwaters
• Wilson’s Storm-Petrels
• White-faced Storm-Petrels

We will also be looking for passage migrants, including:

• South Polar Skuas
• Black-bellied Storm-Petrels
• Arctic Terns
• Large numbers of Wilson’s Storm-Petrels

If we are fortunate enough to encounter the aftermath of a killer whale predation event, the large oily slicks can attract hundreds—and sometimes thousands—of seabirds to feed.

Rarities

We will also be keeping watch for rarities. Species previously recorded during December Killer Whale Expeditions include:

• Amsterdam Albatross
• Light-mantled Sooty Albatross
• Great Shearwater
• Grey Petrel

Cetaceans and Other Marine Wildlife

There is also a chance of encountering cetaceans such as:

• Sperm Whales
• Blue Whales
• Long-finned Pilot Whales
• Killer Whales
• Other dolphin species

Please note that these are dedicated birdwatching trips, not Killer Whale Expeditions. Although there is a chance of encountering killer whales, we will not be actively targeting them. If seeing killer whales is your main priority, we recommend booking a Bremer Canyon Killer Whale Expedition instead.

• Sunfish
• Blue Sharks
• Whaler and hammerhead sharks
• Long-nosed Fur Seals
• Australian Sea Lions

On the return journey, we will stop to check the small Australian Sea Lion colony at Glasse Island.

Birdwatching Around Bremer Bay

Bremer Bay is also an excellent destination for visiting birdwatchers, with species such as the following occurring around the outskirts of town:

• Western Whipbirds
• Western Fieldwrens
• Red-eared Firetails
• Hooded Plovers
• Brush Bronzewings
• Southern Emu-wrens
• Rock Parrots

Malleefowl, Purple-gaped and White-eared Honeyeaters, Southern Scrub-Robins, Shy Heathwrens, Blue-breasted Fairywrens and Regent Parrots can also be encountered on half-day outings from Bremer Bay.

Most south-west endemic species can also be targeted while travelling between Perth and Bremer Bay. Feel free to speak with the pelagic guides for suggestions on where to look for these birds.

Your Guides

These trips will be guided by:

• Dan Mantle
• Plaxy Barratt
• John Graff
• Stu Ford

Our guides have extensive experience leading seabird trips throughout Western Australia. They will help identify and provide information about the seabirds, cetaceans and other marine wildlife encountered throughout the day.

Departure Information

Meeting time: 7:00am
Departure time: 7:15am
Duration: Approximately eight hours

Departure point:
Bremer Bay Boat Harbour
Lot 115 Swarbrick Road
Bremer Bay WA 6338

View the departure location on Google Maps

Food

Please bring your own lunch and snacks.

Inclusions

• Expert commentary from experienced seabird guides
• Approximately eight hours aboard a purpose-built, 23-metre catamaran
• Complimentary tea, coffee, Milo, water and biscuits