Maine Audubon Pelagic Trip:   Red-billed Tropicbird - July 9, 2007     They'll be talking about this pelagic trip for a long time. The Red-billed Tropicbird did not disappoint, but the sea of Wilson's Storm-petrels almost stole the show. From Maine Audubon's Eric Hynes:     "Thirty-five adventuresome birders boarded the Puffin V, Hog Island’s “new” boat, July 9th.  Anthony Liss, the great captain of the very seaworthy craft, guided us through the many islands of Muscongus Bay in a moderate fog. Black Guillemots, Bald Eagle, Osprey, Common Tern, White-winged Scoter and Common Eider were easily seen as we made our way through the most lobster buoys I have ever seen.  As we cleared Mosquito Island and motored out into calm open water, with the fog clearing, the first of many Wilson’s Storm-Petrels were spotted. At first it was a few here and there but we quickly got into the most storm-petrels I have ever seen. All the way from Muscongus Bay to Matinicus Rock and from Matinicus Rock to Eastern Egg Rock, they were constantly present. We saw them dancing on the surface, cruising just in front of the bow, sitting on the water in rafts of 25 to 150, you name it. The gross estimate we came up with was 5,000 but that could be well short. Two Great Cormorants were spotted en route to the rock.  Matinicus Rock did not disappoint! Things were a little tense at first, since our target bird took several minutes to make an appearance. Eventually everyone on board was treated to good views of the Red-billed Tropicbird. This spectacular seabird flew around quite a bit, surrounded by Alcids - a truly unique sight. Atlantic Puffins, Razorbills and Arctic Terns were all around the boat. Razorbills were particularly plentiful with large rafts (100+) floating just offshore and huge gatherings crowding the rocks. Only a few Common Murres were present, but they were easily seen.  While motoring from Matinicus Rock to Eastern Egg Rock, sightings of Northern Gannets by ones and twos were frequent, and we were able to add 3 Manx Shearwaters, 3 Greater Shearwaters, 1 Sooty Shearwater and 1 Northern Fulmar to our trip list. I believe just about everyone on board saw these species well.  At Eastern Egg Rock everyone got looks at Roseate Terns on the rocks and in flight. A disturbingly close bolt of lightning signaled our turn for the dock and we cruised back to Hog Island in a light rain. Several large flocks of Short-billed Dowitchers in flight were noted on our way back up Muscongus Bay. Non-bird highlights included many Harbor Porpoise, two quick views of Minke Whales and a few lucky observers got onto two Orcas (killer whales). Sightings of Orcas in the Gulf of Maine are rare."