GO STORM BIRDING ON THE DAY OF THE STORM!

With few exceptions, your
best bet for finding storm birds is going the day of the storm. After
the winds shift from the east to the NW, there is very little chance of
finding much for storm blown birds along the NH seacoast. The NW winds
push the birds away from the coast, and while there might be some
residual storm birds early the next morning, it is far better to be
there the day of the storm. Not only that, but the residual high seas
and strong sun from the cleared skies make it extremely difficult to see
anything offshore the day after a big storm. Of course, birding during
storms can be very difficult due to high winds and heavy rain.....and
especially poor visibility, but sometimes the shelter of your car will
keep you protected from Pulpit Rocks or Little Boar's Head. The shelter
at Ragged Neck in Rye can also be a very good spot.
 
The big exception to this rule is one of the best "day after"
storm-birding spots around which is "First Encounter" Beach in Eastham
on Cape Cod. This can be an extraordinary storm birding spot when the
winds shift to the NW the day after a big storm as birds trapped within
Cape Cod bay attempt to escape from the "bowl" formed by the cape.
 
 GO STORM BIRDING ON E OR SE WINDS.

Because of the shape of the NH
seacoast and location of offshore ledges, NE winds and NNE winds (such
as those we had on Saturday) are not as effective for blowing pelagic
birds toward our shoreline. Although these types of storms can still
produce a few pelagics they are not nearly as good as E to SE winds
which force pelagic birds directly toward our coastline. Alan Delorey
used some data he collected from several days of storm-birding and wrote
an article illustrating this effect several years ago for New Hampshire
Bird Records.
 
 GET OUT AT DAWN.

Often it seems that pelagic birds are displaced by
the storms winds during the night and are close to shore when daybreak
hits. Soon after dawn, they seem to re-orient and move further away
from shore. Often the first 1/2 hour of daylight is most exciting.
 
IF YOU REALLY WANT TO SEE  PELAGICS GO TO MA.

Sad for me to say this,
but New Hampshire has a difficult time when it comes to pelagic birds.
Andrew's Point in Rockport is excellent on NE winds the day of the
storm.