Several Upper Valley folks were on this trip, and requested that the report
be sent out to this list.
Enjoy!
Pam Hunt
----- Original Message -----
From: "Steve Mirick" <[log in to unmask]>
To: "Massbird" <[log in to unmask]>; "NH.Birds"
<[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Monday, June 20, 2011 8:29 PM
Subject: NH Audubon Tri-state Pelagic Trip - 6/20/11
> NH Audubon sponsored an all day pelagic bird trip today aboard the
> "Granite State" out of Rye Harbor, NH. We traveled east from Rye over
> offshore waters known as "Old Scantum" and then south into MA waters
> before traveling north over "Jeffrey's Ledge" northward through NH and
> into Maine waters. Both on the way out, and again coming home, we spent
> some time exploring the Isles of Shoals. A bit slow for birds, but a
> decent variety, highlighted by spectacular views of a fulmar and good,
> prolonged views of Leach's Storm-Petrels. Also a nice show of whales with
> great views of both Humpback and Fin Whales. Great weather helped to make
> for a wonderful day on the ocean.
>
> Thanks to Jon Woolf for organizing this successful trip, Becky Suomala for
> helping out with the numbers, and to Captain Pete Reynolds and crew for
> skillfully working the birds and whales we encountered.
>
> Here is a nautical chart of the course of the trip, as well as a link to a
> Google Earth file showing the course:
>
> http://home.comcast.net/~smirick//NHAudubonPelagic062011.jpg
>
> http://home.comcast.net/~smirick//NHAudubonPelagic062011.kmz
>
> 8:00 AM - 5:30 PM
> Sunny skies with excellent visibility.
> Seas 1 to 2 feet
> Winds - Very light W winds to near calm and then shifting to east.
>
> Total list for all waters (eBird reports from various locations will be
> submitted)
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
> Canada Goose - 6 on Duck Island.
> Common Eider - Including several creches of young eiders around the
> islands.
> Surf Scoter - 2 adult males near Lunging Island with group of female
> eiders!
> Common Loon - 2 well offshore in Maine waters.
> NORTHERN FULMAR - 1 in NH waters. Spectacular views of adult light morph
> bird. Swam right up to the side of the boat for scraps for about 10
> minutes or more.
> Great Shearwater - 17 total.
> Sooty Shearwater - Only 1.
> Wilson's Storm-Petrel - 458 total. Great views of birds flying alongside
> the boat. Many/most molting adults.
> LEACH'S STORM-PETREL - 4+ in ME waters. Good prolonged views, at times in
> comparison to Wilson's Storm-Petrels. We chased two birds with the boat,
> and then a short while later chased two more. There may have been 5 or
> more. We were able to keep up with the birds for quite a while. Long
> enough for everyone to study the coloration, shape and flight style of
> these birds. Although they have been reported by others in the past, this
> was my first ever sighting for this species in the vicinity of Jeffrey's
> Ledge. A life bird for several birders on the boat.
> Northern Gannet - Only 6 total. Includes one full adult, which appeared
> to be injured, but allowed some close views on the water.
> Double-crested Cormorant - Nests seen on Duck Island. No Great Cormorants
> noted.
> Snowy Egret - 1 flying in to back side of Duck Island.
> Spotted Sandpiper - 1 on Smuttynose Island.
> Herring Gull
> Great Black-backed Gull
> Roseate Tern - At least 3 flew over the boat.
> Common Tern - HUGE flock over White & Seavey Islands (2,447 nesting pairs
> reported from census) as the birds irrupted in several "dreds" while we
> were out there. Unsure on the reasons for these irruptions, it may have
> been the nervousness of a recent Peregrine Falcon on the islands. Or, as
> suggested by the tern biologist, may have been a result of anxiety from
> the first hatching of the terns, which were due to hatch yesterday or
> today.
> Black Guillemot - 7 adults including group of 3 near White Island, and 2
> sitting on the rocks at Smuttynose Island. Nice views of bright red feet.
>
> Marine Mammals
> -------------------------
> Fin Whale - 7+ including great close views of an individual identified as
> "Dingle" with a unique shaped dorsal fin.
> Humpback Whale - 5+ Good show of Humpbacks including individuals known as
> "Pinball", "Lutris", "Trident" (with calf), and "Chickadee". "Chickadee"
> gave a great show as it repeatedly came up right next to the boat with the
> engines off.
> Harbor Porpoise - A couple seen only by a few on the boat. Uncooperative,
> as often the case for this species.
> Harbor Seal - A few around Duck Island
> Gray Seal - A couple around Duck Island.
>
> Fishes
> ---------
> Ocean Sunfish (Mola mola) - Great views of one right next to the boat!
> Bluefin Tuna - A couple of small individuals breaking the surface
> offshore.
>
>
> Steve Mirick
> Bradford, MA
>
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