[Maine-birds] Offshore Boat Trip to Jeffrey's Ledge - 3/10/23

Yesterday, I was invited as a guest aboard the UNH research vessel "Gulf
Challenger".  The boat traveled east from New Castle, NH toward
Jeffrey's Ledge and beyond to a deep water (about 800') area known as
Wilkinson's Basin about 40-45 miles offshore from Portsmouth harbor. 
The boat collected and tested sea water samples and collected
zooplankton before returning.  The course of the boat took it through
ME, NH, and MA waters.  It stopped to collect water samples at one spot
just north of the Isles of Shoals, and then in the deep water spot at
Wilkinson's Basin where it spent over an hour.  The boat traveled out
and back non-stop at about 20 mph (17 knots) and did not change course
for birds.

The weather was pretty good as I was able to "ride the bow" going out
and coming back.  There were long 4' waves going out, but more of a
problem was some residual chop from the night before which made things a
bit bumpy.  The seas flattened out for the ride home.  Sun glare was a
problem going out.  I had some problems with my camera which led to a
few frustrating unidentified alcids.

Decent numbers of pelagic birds, but reduced numbers of Fulmar and
Dovekies as compared to trip on 1/25/23.  Interesting to note MIGRATION
with northbound Geese, RT Loon, and Great Cormorants.

Sunny all day with some thin overcast late
Temperature in 30's to low 40's.
Winds - NW winds at 10 to 15 knots in AM.  Calming down and shifting to
light out of SE on the way back.
Seas - Long 4 foot seas in AM, subsiding.  Some chop in AM.

eBird Trip report with photos:

https://ebird.org/nh/tripreport/113043

Following is a count of birds OFFSHORE only.  Started counting at point
east of Isles of Shoals by "CO2  buoy"
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Canada Goose   88  MIGRATING.  3 separate flocks.  One at longitude of
Isles of Shoals, one over Jeffrey's Ledge and a 3rd well offshore over
Wilkinson's Basin.
Dovekie    3.  One group close to boat over Jeffrey's.
Common Murre    34  All ID'd with photos.  The default alcid offshore
Razorbill    5.  All ID'd with photos.
large alcid sp.    30.  Likely most of these were Common Murres.
Atlantic Puffin    4.  All coming back over Jeffrey's Ledge.
Black-legged Kittiwake    129.  Most inside or over inner edge of
Jeffrey's Ledge with large group just inside of "Mud Hole".  Only 2 came
in at Wilkinson's.
Herring Gull    22  Most at Wilkinson's.
Great Black-backed Gull    34  Most at Wilkinson's.
Red-throated Loon    1.  MIGRATING north over Jeffrey's Ledge.
Northern Fulmar    46.  As usual, most seen AFTER we stopped and started
water sampling.  Birds flew in over the 1.5 hours we were stationary.  A
few fairly close inland in area near "Mud Hole".
Northern Gannet    9.  All adults.
Great Cormorant    3.  Three MIGRATING together over Jeffrey's.

Steve Mirick
Bradford, MA

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