[Maine-birds] NH Audubon Pelagic Trip - 5/27/19

NH Audubon sponsored an all day pelagic trip yesterday aboard the
"Granite State" out of Rye Harbor, NH.  We started with a tour of the
Isles of Shoals where we saw the wonderful tern colony on White and
Seavey Islands, the Cormorant rookery on Lunging Island and two separate
sightings of American Oystercatchers on Little Seavey Island in NH (1)
and Appledore Island in ME (2).  The two birds on Appledore Island were
seen in a brief attempted copulation.  This species has not been
confirmed as nesting on the islands, but it likely has already nested
out there on one of the islands.

After this, we cruised offshore toward Jeffrey's Ledge.  Early season
whale activity had been reported from southern areas off Cape Ann, but
there hadn't been many accompanying bird sightings.  So we decided to
explore northern areas.   We worked our way east and then north along
the middle or outer edge of Jeffrey's into Maine and continued north to
the "Three Fingers". We then worked back along the inside of the ledge
before turning west and heading home.  Bird and whale activity offshore
was, unfortunately, very slow.  But we still managed to get a few nice
early spring sightings and enjoyed a great day on the ocean.

Thanks to Jon Woolf for organizing this trip, to Captain Pete Reynolds,
and to whale biologists Melanie and Jonathan for helping to spot whales
and birds!

8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Variable clouds with some offshore fog limiting visibility at times
Variable winds 5-10 mph.  Seas about 1-3'
Birders - 30 +/-

Species Totals from Jeffrey's Ledge area (combined NH & ME waters)
Totals DO NOT INCLUDE sightings from the islands and inshore waters
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
White-winged Scoter 2 - Migrating north together.
RED-NECKED PHALAROPE  17 - Several small groups offshore.  In nice
breeding plumage.
Herring Gull 30
Great Black-backed Gull 34
Common Tern 10 - Offshore count only.
Common Loon 7 - 3 migrating north.
Wilson's Storm-Petrel 18
NORTHERN FULMAR  2 - One gave nice views.
Northern Gannet  25
BLUE JAY  1 - Rather rare sighting from far offshore.  Blue Jays are
migrating right now, but they are notoriously fearful of crossing water.
Barn Swallow 1
BAY-BREASTED WARBLER  1 - A nice companion during part of our trip. It
landed on various parts of the boat and ate bits of apple for departing.
passerine sp. 3

Marine Mammals
------------------------
Humpback Whale - 4 including "Pinball" and calf as well as "Clamp"
Minke Whale - 2
Harbor Porpoise - 1
Gray Seal - 2

Steve Mirick
Bradford, MA

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