Pelagic Birding  Trips in New England 2010

August 2010

SATURDAY, SUNDAY, AUGUST 28, 29, 2010: 5:30AM Saturday TO 6:00PM SUNDAY, Hyannis to off-shore areas:
 Hydrographer, Leach’s and Veatch’s Canyons 
Birds expected: AUDUBON’S, Greater, Sooty, Cory’s and Manx Shearwaters, Leach’s & Wilson’s Storm Petrels, Parasitic and Pomarine Jaegers, Gannets, Gulls,Terns and several marine mammals.
 We hope to see WHITE-FACED STORM-PETRELS (50%+ chance of them being seen in August. Also: Skuas, Bridled Tern and
 other rarities. It was in August, 2007 when we found a Macaronesian Shearwater in the Canyons so anything is possible. 
                 Maximum participants:  50
                 Cost: BBC Members: $295, Non-members: $315 To sign up and for more information

Only 10 spaces available on this trip!  Don't get left on the dock.

September 2010

NH Audubon Tri-State Pelagic Rye NH 9/7/2010
NH Audubon is now taking registrations for our Fall 2010 Tri-State
Pelagic Trip!
 
WHAT: NH Audubon Fall Pelagic Birding Expedition
WHEN: Tuesday, September 7th, the day after Labor Day.
WHERE: From Rye Harbor into offshore waters and out to Jeffreys Ledge
WHERE TO MEET: Dockside at Rye Harbor, 7:30AM
 
The plan is basically the same as last fall's trip: depart from Rye
Harbor about 8:00AM aboard the MV _Granite State_, and spend the day
at sea, returning to port between 5:00 and 5:30PM. We'll search the
waters along Jeffreys Ledge for whatever seabirds (and other
interesting things) we can find. Like last year, we've chosen a date
that will (hopefully) be relatively easy on people's schedules:
Tuesday September 7th, the day after Labor Day.
 
What can we expect to see? Well, last fall's trip produced huge
numbers of shearwaters of all four expected species (Greater, Sooty,
Cory's, Manx), along with Northern Gannets, Wilson's Storm-petrels,
Red-necked Phalaropes, Common Terns, and several jaegers of at least
two and maybe three different species. All are equally likely this
time, and we might well add a few more. We also got five different
species of cetaceans: Fin, Minke, and Humpback whales, Harbor
Porpoises, and Atlantic White-sided Dolphins.
 
MV _Granite State_ is 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. New marine diesel
engines give her a cruising speed of 15-17 knots. Captain Pete
Reynolds and his crew have decades of experience at finding birds and
whales in the Gulf of Maine.
 
What to Bring: Binoculars and bird guide, of course. Bring a lunch
if you like. A digital camera if you have one -- both our previous
trips, last fall and this spring, produced spectacular photo
opportunities for birds, whales, and dolphins. Weather on the open
water is unpredictable: sometimes hot, sometimes rather
chilly. Prepare for both. Certainly bring sunscreen and
sunglasses. Bring motion-sickness pills if you're vulnerable to
seasickness. _Granite State_'s seating is mostly wooden benches, so
a seatcushion might be a good idea if you have trouble with sitting
on hard surfaces.
 
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, email mac@nhaudubon.org) to sign
up. Contact either MAC or me with any questions you might have.
 
See you on board!
 
-- Jon Woolf
Manchester, NH
(Massabesic Audubon Center Programming Committee)
 

Seabird and Whale Tale Excursion Sunday, September 12, 2010  10 am to 6 pm

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 College are hosting the Spring 2010 edition of a fundraising event called Seabird & Whale Tales.

During our excursion offshore, enjoy commentary from our wildlife experts including Wayne Petersen (MA Audubon Society), David Clapp (Natural History Services), Joanne Jarzobski (Captain John Whale Watching and Fishing Tours) and Jim Sweeney (South Shore Bird Club). 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 10 am and return by 6 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 August 31, 2010. 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 $89 plus tax.  Included is Hampton's "On the House Hot Breakfast" on Saturday morning as well as shuttle bus service to the boat!  Call Hampton Inn & Suites at 1-508-747-5000.  


Thank you, Carol “Krill” Carson

President, NECWA
 

October 2010

November 2010

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 13. 2010:  7AM - 3PM  HYANNIS TO Nantucket Shoals
Birds expected: Alcids, Gannets, Phalaropes, Shearwaters, Jaegers, Several Gulls, Fulmar, any rarities.
           Maximum participants- 65 people
           COSTS BBC Members: $95
                Non-members: $115
To sign up and for more information

 

December 2010

 Isle of Shoals CBC December, TBA  Benjamin Griffith (bgriffith@gmail.com)

Stellwagen Bank CBC December TBA Simon Perkins

May 2010

Monday May 31  NH Audubon's second annual Spring Pelagic Birding Trip Jeffreys Ledge!
 
WHEN: Monday May 31st (Memorial Day)
Depart from dockside at 8:00AM, return between 5:00 and 5:30 PM
 
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 12-13 knots. Captain Pete Reynolds and his crew
have decades of experience at finding birds and whales in the Gulf of Maine.
 
WHERE WE'RE GOING: Into the central Gulf of Maine and along Jeffrey's Ledge. Master birder Steve Mirick will lead us in searching for
pelagic birds, whales, and whatever else crosses our path.
 
WHAT WE CAN EXPECT TO SEE: Information on spring pelagics in the Gulf of Maine is sketchy, so we're really not sure. Our trip last spring produced Northern Gannets, Northern Fulmars, Wilson's Storm-petrels, a scattering of migrants, and a number of near-shore species. We also got spectacular looks at a curious Humpback Whale. This year we're giving the birds a week more to get here, so we hope to see a lot more.
 
WHAT TO BRING: Binoculars and bird guide, of course. Bring a lunch if you like. A digital camera if you have one -- on our trip last
spring, we got 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 might be 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, email mac@nhaudubon.org) to sign up. Contact either MAC or me with any questions you might have.
 
PELAGIC BIRDS WORKSHOP: For group members who are new to pelagic birding, I will be running a 1-hour workshop at Massabesic Audubon Center the day before the trip (Sunday May 30th) on the basics of identifying pelagic birds. That 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)
 

June 2010

SATURDAY, JUNE 26, 2010:  4AM - 9PM: Hyannis to off-shore areas. Brookline Bird Club
 Hydrographer and/or Veatch’s Canyons 
Birds expected:  AUDUBON’S, Greater, Sooty, Cory’s and Manx Shearwaters, Leach’s, Wilson’s & Band-rumped ,Storm Petrels, Parasitic and Pomarine, Jaegers, Gannets, Gulls, Terns and several marine mammals.
This is the time of year to look for the Pterodroma Petrels in our Massachusetts waters. Anything is possible.    
           Maximum participants = 75
           Cost: BBC Members: $130,  Non-members: $150
To sign up and for more information

June 28 Monday Seabirds and Whales Newburyport - MA Audubon

he first Seabirds and Whales trip aboard the Prince of Whales out of
Newburyport is a go for Monday, June 28, 2010.
 
These trips are co-sponsored by the Newburyport Whale Watch and Mass
Audubon's Joppa Flats Education Center. The trips are longer than the
usual whale-watch trip and we seek out and stop for seabirds, as well as
the whales. I will be onboard to narrate the seabird sightings.
 
I just talked to Captain Bill of the Prince of Whales and he said that
the numbers of storm-petrels, shearwaters, and jaegers have picked up in
the past week and there have been reports of Northern Fulmars in the
area.
 
So get on the phone and register by calling Newburyport Whale Watch at
1-800-848-1111 or register online at
http://www.newburyportwhalewatch.com/.
 
Details:
Monday, June 28, 2010
10:00 am - 3:00 pm
Adult: $47
Senior (65+): $42
Child (4-12): $32
 
See you aboard!
Dave
 
--
David M. Larson, Ph.D.
Education Coordinator
Joppa Flats Education Center
Mass Audubon
Newburyport, MA
978-462-9998
Bird-a-thon may be over, but you can still contribute! Please consider a
donation to Joppa Flats via my FirstGiving page at
http://www.firstgiving.com/davidlarson

July 2010

Cancelled Lack of Participation

FRIDAY, SATURDAY JULY 16, 17, 2010: 5:30AM FRIDAY to 6:00PM Saturday,  Hyannis to off-shore areas: Hydrographer, Veatch’s and Atlantis Canyons 
Birds expected: AUDUBON’S, Greater, Sooty, Cory’s and Manx Shearwaters, Leach’s & Wilson’s Storm Petrels, Parasitic and Pomarine Jaegers, Gannets, Gulls,Terns and several marine mammals.We hope to see Band-rumped Storm-petrels, Black-capped Petrel, Bridled Tern, Skuas and other rarities.  Anything is possible. 
           Maximum participants = 50
           Cost: BBC Members: $290, Non-members: $310
To sign up and for more information

Brookline Bird Club Trips:  Sign Up  Web page Additional Information

Please be advised that because of the possible increase in the cost of fuel, there may be a surcharge to cover any extra expense.

Rick Heil, Steve Mirick, Jeremiah Trimble and Marshall Iliff usually lead these trips.  Our boat, the Helen H, is a very comfortable, fast, 100 foot fishing boat with a knowledgeable and enthusiastic Captain and crew. There are 38 bunks  aboard which will be available to the first 38 who sign up.  There is a full galley with excellent food at reasonable prices.  Parking is free.

To reserve a space, send a check for the full amount made out to the 'BROOKLINE BIRD CLUB AGENT' along with a signed waiver to:  Ida Giriunas, 83 Summer Ave., Reading, MA, 01867 and include either your email or your postal address for confirmation, boarding instructions and further information.

For additional information, contact mailto:ida8@verizon.net  at 781-944-5135.