The Seacoast Chapter of 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 were able to get nice views
of American Oystercatchers on Lunging Island and both Peregrine Falcons
and Bald Eagles on Appledore and Smuttynose Islands. We also saw a huge
flock of Common Eiders just past the islands. After this, we cruised
offshore toward "Old Scantum" and southern parts of Jeffrey's Ledge in
MA waters before turning north and traversing the mid to outer edge of
Jeffrey's Ledge north through NH and into ME waters almost to the
northern edge of Jeffrey's Ledge before turning back for home.
Unfortunately, like last year, the paucity of pelagic birds offshore
continued from this summer and fall. Zero alcids and zero shearwaters
were noted and large areas of Jeffrey's Ledge had not much else but a
small number of gulls and gannets. However, we were treated with
excellent views of Pomarine Jaegers and brief, but nice views of Fulmar
and Kittiwakes. And of course whales and dolphins!
Thanks to Holly Bauer for organizing this trip through Seacoast Audubon
which offers free field trips and programs. Please visit their site and
participate in upcoming events!
https://www.seacoastchapter.org/
And thanks to Captain Pete Reynolds and his crew for helping to spot
whales and birds! And thanks to Becky Suomala and Zeke Cornell for
doing their best to estimate numbers for the day and maintain eBird
checklists. Some photos from the day can be found on Jim Sparrell's
Flickr page:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/89302424@N02
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Partly to mostly cloudy
Light to moderate southerly winds 5-10 mph in late morning creating
heavy chop and white caps. Seas about 1-2'
Count of all birds including those in Rye harbor
----------------------------------------------------------------
Green-winged Teal 1
COMMON EIDER 2,875 - Including huge flock of 2,500 estimated in the
vicinity of Cedar Island Ledge straddling the NH/ME State line. This
pales in comparison to neighboring States, but is an extremely high
count for NH and may represent a new high count for the State.
Surf Scoter 156 - Most migrating.
White-winged Scoter 163 - Most migrating
Black Scoter 31 - Most migrating
scoter sp. 105 - Migrating.
Rock Pigeon 15
AMERICAN OYSTERCATCHER 4 - Together on Lunging Island. Probably a
family group. At least one juvenile was banded.
Black-bellied Plover 1
Semipalmated Plover 3
Killdeer 4
Ruddy Turnstone 1 - On Square Rock.
Sanderling 1
Greater Yellowlegs 4
POMARINE JAEGER 3 - Widely separated with one each in MA, NH, and ME
waters.
Black Guillemot 6
Black-legged Kittiwake 3
Ring-billed Gull 2
Herring Gull 99
Lesser Black-backed Gull 1 - Juvenile well offshore. Sitting in
water with a Herring Gull for comparison.
Great Black-backed Gull 167
Common Loon 11 - Some migrating.
NORTHERN FULMAR 5 - One dark morph.
Shearwaters - 0 - Compare this with pelagic trip on 10/11/15 when 440
shearwaters (Great & Cory's) were counted.
Northern Gannet 82 - Present throughout the day in small numbers.
One adult sitting on Square Rock.
Great Cormorant 8
Double-crested Cormorant 112
Great Blue Heron 2 - Both migrating well offshore beyond the Isles of
Shoals.
Northern Harrier 1 - Over Appledore Island.
Bald Eagle 2 - Adult and immature sitting on Smuttynose Island.
Belted Kingfisher 2
Peregrine Falcon 3 - Flying and sitting on Appledore Island.
European Starling 5
American Pipit 4
Common Grackle 10
Yellow-rumped Warbler 1
passerine sp. 2
Humpback Whale - Several (didn't count) with lots of nice views of
fluking individuals.
Atlantic White-sided Dolphin - A nice cooperative and playful pod
Blue Shark - 1
Gray and Harbor Seals
Steve Mirick for group
Bradford, MA
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