The recent cool change to sweep across the Capricorn Coast has brought with it the arrival of a flock of Australasian gannet (Morus serrator) - Australian seabirds more common in southern Australia.

CQUniversity researcher Dr Alison Jones said the sighting has interested locals as most people have not seen these birds in the area before.

Australasian Gannets arrive at the Keppels."They turn up in Keppel Bay in winter, especially when large schools of anchovy or other bait fish come in," Dr Jones said.

She said they are a bit of a novelty because they have not been around for some of the drier years the region had experienced.

Australasian Gannet are mostly white with dark tips on the major wing feathers and the inner tail feathers.  Their heads are yellow with a pale blue-grey bill with black borders to the bill sheaths.

The birds are sometimes seen soaring above the ocean and you could be lucky enough to see them dive spectacularly into the water.