[Maine-birds] Pelagic birding from the Cat Sept 1-2, 2018

Hello All,

Beth and I had a wonderful two day adventure birding the CAT ferry from Portland Maine to Yarmouth Nova Scotia Canada.

Highlights of the two days was the great weather, 3 South Polar Skuas, 50+ Cory's Shearwaters, Multiple Pomarine Jaegers, 3 Parasitic Jaegers, hundreds of Greater Shearwaters, about 10 Manx Shearwaters.  Only one Sooty Shearwater which I thought was odd due to the numbers reported from Passamaquoddy Bay/Eastport Area.  Two Lesser Black-backed Gulls.  Also surprised at the few whales only about 4 poorly seen round trip though dozens of Atlantic White-sided Dolphins, 5 Mola Mola, two breeaching sharks of some species. Small numbers of Wilson's and Leach's Petrels and about 100 total Phalarope species at least some being Red Phalarope.

 

Due to a late departure from Portland due to Custom's issues we did not get much view of the usual hot spot about an hour out of Yarmouth.  Nor was it very lively on the return in the morning.

 Unexpectedly most of the Cory's Shearwaters were seen within sight of Casco Bay and headlands.  Also this is where two of the South Polar Skua were at one point harrassing a Pomarine Jaeger before turning their aggressions on each other.

Nearly all of the Jaegers and all skuas were seen from Monhegan to Portland, as were the Cory's.  All of the Jaegers seemed to be migrating, that is moving in pretty direct flight down the coast.

 Nearly all of the Greater Shearwaters, Petrels and Phalarope were seen on the sections of the trip East of Monhegan.  Small numbers of Northern Gannets, only dozens and most seen near either port.

Winds were light on the trip from Portland and a little stronger on the return.  Swells were low and we were a little fogged out at times on the NS end.

For those who don't know the boat is a Catamaran traveling at about 36 knots so you don't get much of a chance to see the bird and of course you cannot pursue the bird so it may be disappointing for those who have done designated trips for whales or pelagic birds and hoping for close views or photographs of birds.  All of the outdoor viewing area is from either side near the stern of the boat.  Windows are often too spray covered to offer much of a view of birds. You may take a bit of buffeting from the wind.  I like it because I am hugely curious about what goes on out there and you do get a great picture of some of what goes on in the Gulf of Maine.

Word on the street is that next year it will solely run from Bar Harbor to Yarmouth NS. 

Good Birding,

Dan Nickerson

Freeport ME USA

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Dan's Natural History Blog:
Ravenwatcher
"An Eye on the Natural World"
http://ravenwatcher.blogspot.com

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