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| Pelagic
Trips | New England 2012 |
Comments |
New England Pelagic
Trips
JUNE
Friday June 8, 2012 NH Tri-State Pelagic from Rye,NH
April means time to start thinking
about the summer birding season. Summer birding means (among
other things) pelagic birding. And pelagic birding means the
NH Audubon Spring Pelagic Birding Expedition.
WHAT: As in past years, this is an all-day boat trip into
the central Gulf of Maine, along Jeffrey's Ledge and
adjacent waters. Master birder Steve Mirick will lead us in
searching for pelagic birds, whales, and whatever else
crosses our path (but mostly for pelagic birds).
WHEN: Friday, June 8th. We'll meet at the harbor at 7:30AM,
depart from dockside at 8:00AM, and return between 5:00 and
5:30 PM.
IMPORTANT: There will be no rain date for this trip. We go
on June 8th or not at all.
WHERE: Aboard the whale-and-bird-watching boat M/V Granite
State, a day-excursion boat owned by Granite State Whale
Watch and based in Rye Harbor, NH. She's 65 feet long, with
an onboard snack bar, enclosed main cabin, two passenger
decks, and a full set of navigation and safety equipment.
Twin diesel engines give her a cruising speed of 15-16
knots. Captain Pete Reynolds and his crew have decades of
experience at finding birds and whales in the Gulf of Maine.
WHAT WE CAN EXPECT TO SEE: In past years, this spring trip
has produced Northern Gannets, Wilson's Storm-petrels, Great
and Sooty shearwaters, Red-necked Phalaropes in breeding
plumage (a rare sight indeed), a number of migrants, and a
number of near-shore species. We usually get good looks at
Common and Roseate Terns from the White/Seavey Island tern
colony. We've also gotten good looks at several whales of
various species. Last year the highlight of the day was
excellent looks at Northern Fulmar and Leach's Storm-petrel.
WHAT TO BRING: Binoculars and bird guide, of course. Bring a
lunch if you like. A digital camera if you have one -- past
trips have produced excellent photo opportunities for both
whales and birds. Weather on the open water is
unpredictable: sometimes hot, sometimes rather chilly.
Prepare for both. Certainly bring sunscreen, and either
sunglasses or a hat. Bring motion-sickness pills if you're
vulnerable to seasickness. Granite State's seating is mostly
wooden benches, so a seatcushion is a good idea if you have
trouble with sitting on hard surfaces.
REGISTRATION: You must register in advance for this trip. We
need a minimum of 30 people to pay for the trip. We've set a
maximum of 50 so that the boat doesn't get too crowded. Cost
is $65 for NH Audubon members, $85 for non-members. Contact
Massabesic Audubon Center (phone
603-668-2045
begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 603-668-2045 end_of_the_skype_highlighting,
email mac@nhaudubon.org) to sign up. Contact either MAC or
me with any questions you might have.
PELAGIC BIRDS WORKSHOP: For trip members who are new to
pelagic birding, I will be running a 1-hour workshop at
Massabesic Audubon Center on Saturday June 2th on the basics
of identifying pelagic birds. This workshop is free to trip
participants, $5 per person for others. The workshop will
include descriptions, photos, and videos of the birds in
question, all designed for people who know something about
birding but have no experience with pelagics.
-- Jon Woolf
Manchester, NH
(Massabesic Audubon Center Programming Committee)
Sunday, June 10, 2012 Marine Wildlife Cruise
8 am to 4 pm Leave from the Town Wharf, Plymouth MA
Join us for an all day, marine wildlife cruise to support
marine education and wildlife conservation. The New England
Coastal Wildlife Alliance (NECWA) with assistance from
Captain John Whale Watching and Fishing Tours, Mass Audubon
South Shore Sanctuaries, Natural History Services, South
Shore Bird Club, and Bridgewater State University are
hosting the Spring 2012 edition of a fundraising event
called Seabird & Whale Tales.
During our excursion offshore, enjoy commentary from our
wildlife experts including David Clapp (Natural History
Services), Jim Sweeney (South Shore Bird Club), Krill Carson
(NECWA and CJB) and others. Travel aboard the “Tails of the
Sea”, a 110’ luxury commercial whale watching vessel owned
and operated by Captain John Whale Watching and Fishing
Tours out of Plymouth, MA. View seabirds, seals, whales,
dolphins, basking sharks, ocean sunfish and more.
Leave from the Plymouth Town Pier at 8 am and return by 4
pm. Trip activities include a plankton tow and
demonstration, chumming for seabirds and a free onboard
nature-themed raffle.
Tickets: Pre-Sale $90 and then $100 after May 31, 2012. To
learn more about this trip or to download the registration
form, go to http://www.necwa.org/trips.html.
Or for more information, call Krill Carson at 508-566-0009.
Space is limited so register early. Group rates also
available.
All proceeds from our Seabird & Whale Tale excursions go to
support the many projects and activities conducted by NECWA,
a registered 501(c) 3 non-profit organization.
Special Hotel Offer from Hampton Inn & Suites, Plymouth, MA
Stay at Hampton Inn & Suites in Plymouth Saturday night for
only $99 plus tax. Included is Hampton's "On the House Hot
Breakfast" on Sunday morning, as well as shuttle bus service
to and from the boat! Call Pat Stockford, Director of Sales,
Hampton Inn & Suites at 1-508-747-5000 ext. 4906 or email
her at patricia.stockford@hilton.com.
To learn more about NECWA, go to our website at
www.necwa.org or visit our NECWA News blog at
www.necwanews.blogspot.com.
Carol “Krill” Carson
President and Marine Biologist, NECWA
krillcarson@mac.com
508-566-0009
July
August
SATURDAY, NOV 10,
2012 7AM- 3PM BBC
Hyannis to the Nantucket Shoals
Area
Cost: BBC Members: $ 295.00 /
non-members: $ 315.00
SATURDAY, NOV 10,
2012 7AM- 3PM
Hyannis to the Nantucket Shoals
Area
Birds expected: Alcids, Gannets,
Shearwaters, Phalaropes, Jaegers,
Gulls, Fulmar, marine mammals and
any rarities such as Skua, etc.
Limit: 65 Participants
Cost: BBC members: $ 90.00 /
non-members: $ 110.00
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