Survey of birds encountered during UNH research trip aboard UNH Research
Vessel Gulf Challenger. Boat did not stop or steer toward birds. Jane
and I were guests on boat collecting and testing water samples at
various depths in the ocean. The boat traveled directly out to the CO2
buoy located north of Duck Island in Maine. And then headed directly
over Jeffrey's Ledge to a deep water area on the western edge of
Wilkinson's Basin. On the return route, the boat took a slightly
different route, after crossing Jeffrey's Ledge, the boat veered south
of the Isles of Shoals to check on floating wave buoy in inshore
waters. This is a count of birds encountered east of the CO2 buoy and
offshore waters only.
The birds were about average for the trip with good numbers of
Kittiwakes, Dovekies and Common Murres. The exception to this was the
high numbers of Northern Fulmar....similar numbers to our 1/25/23 trip
offshore. While cutting across Jeffrey's Ledge, Fulmar were constantly
in view. On the return trip, 159 were carefully counted in NH which is
my highest total for NH (142 on 1/25/23, 140 on 2/6/09, and 135 on
10/14/19). Atlantic Puffins can be very difficult on this boat as they
dive quickly with the approach of the boat. But fortunately, we managed
to get 4 including one adult that didn't dive and allowed for a decent
view as we cruised past it quickly. Interestingly NO Northern Gannets
were noted as they seem to have cleared out. Close views of a three Fin
whales was interesting for the mid-January date and a more interesting
sighting of an apparent Humpback Whale seems very unusual for the date.
Weather and seas - Generally light winds all day, with seas 3' in long
rollers causing birds on surface to disappear easily. Sun glare and
choppy seas as well made for a lot of difficulty in morning. Afternoon
clouds and nicer seas allowed for better conditions on the return. Able
to ride on the bow for most of the trip.
Time - 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM.
eBird checklists submitted and eBird trip list with documentation photos
at this link:
https://ebird.org/tripreport/320134
Total list with highlights capitalized
-------------------------------------------------
ATLANTIC PUFFIN 4. Not that rare well offshore, but always nice to
see. Only one nice adult seen by both of us.
Razorbill 2. Only two flybys photographed offshore. East of Isles
of Shoals, but inside of Jeffrey's Ledge.
Dovekie 80. Scattered throughout, but none in deep water. Some not
far east of Isles of Shoals.
THICK-BILLED MURRE 1. Now considered a relatively uncommon to rare
species offshore, we found this bird only when we got back home and went
through the photographs!! Common Murres (formerly rare) now greatly
outnumber Thick-billed Murres (and Razorbills!) offshore.
Common Murre 26. Now considered the default large alcid offshore.
large alcid sp. 32. Lots of difficulty (as usual) on speeding boat
trying to get photos for ID.
Black-legged Kittiwake 45. All adults.
Ring-billed Gull 1. One near CO2 buoy so not too far offshore.
American Herring Gull 56. Still several lobster boats offshore. Most
AHGU were around these boats.
Great Black-backed Gull 50. Lots far offshore.
NORTHERN FULMAR 232. Excellent show of Fulmar. 2nd only to our
total of 254 total encountered on 1/25/23 trip. No birds or hardly any
were encountered inside of Jeffrey's Ledge.
Other Offshore wildlife encountered
------------------------------------------------
Fin Whale - 3 over Jeffrey's Ledge including two on the way out and a
third (or one of the previous two?) on the return.
HUMPBACK WHALE - 1 over Jeffrey's Ledge. Not well seen, but believed to
be this species. Possibly a young whale.
Dolphin sp. - One small pod of unidentified dolphins plus a single.
Harbor Porpoise - At least two seen.
Harbor Seal - One well offshore.
Steve & Jane Mirick
Bradford, MA
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