Maine Audubon Pelagic Trip:
Red-billed Tropicbird 7/9/07
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.
Maine
Audubon's Eric Hynes: "Thirty-five adventuresome birders boarded the Puffin
V, Hog Islands 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 Wilsons 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."
(return to home page)
Maine
Audubon's Eric Hynes: "Thirty-five adventuresome birders boarded the Puffin
V, Hog Islands 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.
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. 
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.