Jane and I were invited guests on the UNH research vessel "Gulf
Challenger". We traveled with graduate students who took water samples
at about 5 spots along a prescribed route leading offshore. A Woods Hole
researcher was also aboard and we retrieved their "Slocum Glider", a
whale detecting device which had gone bad east of Jeffrey's Ledge in MA
waters.
https://www.whoi.edu/main/slocum-glider
We traveled through ME, NH, MA, and again in NH waters on return. Sunny
to partly cloudy over the course of the day. Light NW winds sifting to
SW and S during afternoon. Seas mostly 1-2 feet.
The following is a count of birds ONLY IN OFFSHORE WATERS. Past
"influence" of Isles of Shoals. Birds scattered offshore with a big
group of birds (mostly gulls and fulmar) at Wilkinson's stop. Murres
were scattered with some well inside of Jeffrey's on Maine side and an
active area just east of Jeffrey's Ledge. Not many birds on Jeffrey's
Ledge and very few (almost none) birds as we crossed over Old Scantum
area on the way in.
Marine mammals noted include several far offshore (perhaps 4) Harbor
Seals, 1 Gray Seal, a few (perhaps 4) Harbor Porpoise, about 10 dolphin;
presumed Atlantic White-sided.
Separate eBird checklists submitted for each state. Photos:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/stevemirick/
Species List
-----------------
Common Eider 6 adults MIGRATING NORTH over Jeffrey's Ledge.
DOVEKIE 3 Only 3. Not sure why so few. Captain reported large
numbers a few weeks ago in same general area. 211 reported offshore on
12/9/18.
COMMON MURRE 62. High count. The default alcid offshore. Most
photographed. Mostly groups of 1 to 3 birds. One large group of 8.
Scattered locations. Most east of Jeffrey's Ledge. Most in winter
plumage. A few in breeding or transitional plumage.
Razorbill 3. This species continues to be scarce offshore. Decidedly
more common in in-shore waters.
large alcid sp. 10. Likely Common Murres.
ATLANTIC PUFFIN 4. Tough views from boat as we whizzed by, but
decent documentation photos.
Black-legged Kittiwake 12. Not many offshore.
Herring Gull 210. Huge group of gulls gathered on water at our stop
out on Wilkinson's Basin. Remarkably few elsewhere.
Iceland Gull 4. Two adults, 2 first-winter.
Great Black-backed Gull 302. Huge group of gulls gathered on water
at our stop out on Wilkinson's Basin. Remarkably few elsewhere.
NORTHERN FULMAR 64. Most birds east of Jeffrey's Ledge. Especially
among huge group of gulls on stop at Wilkinson's Basin. Mostly light
morphs.
Northern Gannet 8. Adults. All east of Jeffrey's Ledge with gulls.
Steve & Jane Mirick
Bradford, MA
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