Seabirding: Tuesday May 28, 2013

Tuesday, May 28, 2013

Tuesday May 28, 2013

Today was one of those rare days when everyone aboard saw each species well, unless they failed to let us know they missed something! Before 0700 a couple of young Spotted Dolphins came in and rode our bow wave until a few adults showed up and they peeled off! There was a little wind from the south, but not much, so it was a fairly calm day and we saw quite a few birds on the water. A little before 1100 Dave Shoch saw a shadow cross the deck in front of him, he looked up, and there was a second cycle White-tailed Tropicbird! Excellent spot! It was a lifer for most of our passengers, so definitely the most exciting bird of the day. We also had excellent looks at Leach's & Band-rumped (only Grant's type seen today) as well, and close Cory's, Great, Sooty, and Audubon's Shearwaters. Black-capped Petrels were scarce, but we had a couple make nice passes. The highlight of the afternoon was an adult Pomarine Jaeger that flew in from the stern and flew around the boat for at least an hour!

Thanks to everyone who joined us today and thanks to our leaders - Steve Howell, Todd McGrath, Dave Shoch, Bob Fogg, and Dave Pereksta!

Black-capped Petrel 6
Cory's Shearwater 55
Great Shearwater 2
Sooty Shearwater 3
Audubon's Shearwater 7-8
Wilson's Storm-Petrel 130
Leach's Storm-Petrel 12-13
Band-rumped Storm-Petrel 15
White-tailed Tropicbird 1
Pomarine Jaeger 1
jaeger sp. 3

Common Loon 3
Common Tern 13

Gervais Beaked Whale 6-8
Atlantic Spotted Dolphin 15-20
Bottlenose Dolphin 20

Cory's Shearwater