Recent Pelagic Birding Charter Report From Trevor Hardaker

We take great pleasure in sharing the report back on the Zest for Birds pelagic trip that went out last Sunday with Hooked On Africa Fishing Charters as documented by Trevor Hardaker.

Date: 02 July 2023

Departure point: Hout Bay

Conditions: There was absolutely no wind on the day and the sea was pretty glassy throughout the day. We still had reasonable sized swells upwards of 3m, but they were very far apart, so it had no effect on our comfort at all. Skies started off totally overcast in the morning, but then cleared up to bright, sunny conditions later. Temperatures were cool to mild and sea temperatures were around 16 deg C out in the deep.

Journey log: We headed out in a south-westerly direction from Hout Bay and then turned north-west later on. At our furthest point, we were around 30 nautical miles offshore.

Other details: It was the usual Zest for Birds crew with Cliff Dorse and I guiding the trip and Grant Scholtz skippering the boat. We arrived at a longliner at around 09h15 and spent a short while with her enjoying the birds around her. We then picked up on a trawler about 10 nautical miles to our north-west and headed off to her, getting there at around 10h15 or so. We spent the next few hours in her wake, and also visiting another trawler close by, before eventually leaving again at just after 14h00. We had a couple of distractions on the way back and got back to the harbour just before 16h30.

Birds seen on the trip: