Reports | 2004 | Shelf Edge Search | Help | Comments | Site Map Continental Shelf Edge Pelagic Trip August 28, 2004 About The Trip Leaders Nantucket Shoals to Vetchs Canyon The Boat Participants Cory's Shearwater photographed by Steve Mirick and used with his permission. Photo remains the property of the photographer. Large flock of Cory's Shearwaters along with 4 skuas, Bridled Tern, Band-rumped Storm-petrel were trip highlights. About the Trip This dedicated pelagic trip was sponsored by the Brookline Bird Club (BBC). We departed the dock in Hyannis at 4 AM and returned about 9: 30 PM. People were able to sack out until daylight in bunks in the main cabin and in the hold below. The trip was planned and facilitated by Ida Giriunas. Ida even made name tags for all the participants. Great idea Ida. Participants were allowed to board in the order they signed up for trip. It pays to be early. Tom Prince was responsible for obtaining the boat. Good job Tom. Leaders The trip was ably led by Steve Mirick (left) and Rick Heil (center). It really takes more than one leader to spot birds and announce them to the whole boat. The team had lots of assistance from experts among the passengers including Jeremiah Trimble in yellow at right. Steve and Rick were dedicated leaders seldom leaving the deck. The Helen H has a larger than usual deck outside the wheelhouse which allows the leaders to see both sides of the boat and to communicate with the upper deck and observers in bow. Nantucket Shoals to Veatch's Canyon The objective was to steam at full speed out to the warm water reported to be over Veatch's Canyon so we only paused for a Basking Shark and roared past Common Terns, Wilsons Storm-petrels, Phalaropes, Sooty Shearwaters, Greater Shearwaters and even a few Corys Shearwaters. When two Skuas were spotted we had to follow. Some on the boat felt that one at least was a Great Skua and the other a South Polar Skua. Any skua is show stopping and shortly thereafter we had a third skua. On the return trip a fourth skua was spotted. Quite a skua day for the east coast. An immature Bridled Tern on a floating log was first spotted by Blair Nikula. Photo by Jeremiah Trimble and used with his permission. Photo remains the property of the photographer. Good shot and thanks for sharing. Another good photo of the Bridled Tern as it flew off the log by Jeremiah Trimble. Used with permission of the photographer who retains all rights. Around 11 AM, Steve reported the water temperature was up to 70o and we started seeing flying fish and small clumps of sargassum weed. Shortly after a Band-rumped Storm-petrel was identified. We saw two Hammerhead Sharks and a Risso Dolphin surfaced for a very quick look for some. The trip continued down Vetchs Canyon and past the mouth to a depth of 1 mile before turning back. Eventually the water temperature rose to 78.3o. In the warmer water we had Audubon's Shearwater, Corys Shearwater, Wilsons Storm-petrel and Leach's Storm-petrel. On the second crossing of Nantucket Shoals later in the afternoon we had rather large flocks of Greater Shearwaters and a flock of 40 or more Corys Shearwaters. This is the largest concentration of Corys I have ever seen in New England waters. Great show. We also picked up two Pomarine Jaegers and 2 Gannets and several small flocks of Red-necked Phalaropes. Results from Rick Heil Three Audubon's Shearwaters, 2 Band-rumped Storm-Petrels, Bridled Tern, 2 Great Skuas, 1 Great Polar Skua, and an unidentified skua for good measure. ' Three more shots of Great Skua by Jeremiah Trimble. Used with his permission, both photos remain the property of the photographer. Photo by Jeremiah Trimble showing two skuas, one on far right and the other on the far left.   Page 2