Survey of birds encountered during UNH research trip aboard UNH R/V "Gulf Challenger". Boat did not stop or steer toward birds. Jane and I were invited guests on UNH boat that was performing ocean experiments offshore. The boat traveled east to the CO2 buoy just beyond the Isles of Shoals and collected water samples. It then continued east across Jeffrey's Ledge and just beyond to the "Wilkinson's Basin Water Sampling Spot" where it deployed the water sampler and collected net samples. It returned on the same route toward Portsmouth Harbor. We DID NOT SLOW DOWN, OR CHANGE COURSE TO SEE BIRDS. This was not a birding trip.
Weather and seas - There was some some minor chop and waves in the morning, but it flattened out nicely offshore and for the rest of the trip. We could ride the bow for most of the outbound and all of the inbound. Partly to mostly cloudy.
Time - 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM.
Trip Summary ------------------- * There was an incredible mix of winter and summer pelagic birds with some real nice rarities making for a fantastic trip! * The great birds started before we even left the dock. As we were waiting for the boat to leave, a Forster's Tern (uncommon) and a Little Gull (rare) flew around the boat! * Offshore we were treated to incredible diversity with 13 species of pelagic birds including: * 6 species of shearwaters and petrels (including 2 LEACH'S STORM-PETRELS and and an early NORTHERN FULMAR) * 2 species of alcids including a young ATLANTIC PUFFIN! * Only 1 species of jaeger (Pomarine), but any jaeger is a nice one and we had lots. * 10 species of gulls (total including harbor) including 22 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, a Little Gull and TWO very rare pelagic SABINE'S GULLS!
eBird checklists submitted and eBird trip list with documentation photos at this link:
List from the Pier in New Castle -------------------------------------- Forster's Tern 1. With a small number of Common Terns. LITTLE GULL 1. Great views of a sub-adult Little Gull from the boat while we were still at the dock! With a few Bonaparte's Gulls. Bonaparte's Gulls - Several.
Total list of birds offshore (east of Isles of Shoals) --------------------------------------------------------------- Common Eider 1 moving north by itself over Jeffrey's Ledge. Surf Scoter 1 migrating south offshore with WWSC. White-winged Scoter 1 migrating south offshore with SUSC. Red-necked Phalarope 3 Pomarine Jaeger 7. Lots of jaeger activity offshore. jaeger sp. 5. Most/all appeared to be Pomarines. What's happened to the Parasitics? ATLANTIC PUFFIN 1. Juvenile. A bit early. Razorbill 1. Juvenile. Black-legged Kittiwake 1. Juvenile. A bit early. SABINE'S GULL 2. Both juveniles far apart. My FIRST EVER for this boat and my first from a boat in New Hampshire waters! Laughing Gull 2 American Herring Gull 38 Great Black-backed Gull 21 Lesser Black-backed Gull 22. HIGH COUNT. Though increasing and great time of year for them offshore as they migrate from Greenland to Florida. The funny thing is that almost all of the gulls occur at the "Wilkinson's Basin" stop. When we stop the boat, there is ZERO birds, but when they hear the winch lowering equipment, the birds appear out of nowhere! gull sp. 30 Common Tern 2 Wilson's Storm-Petrel 169. HIGH COUNT for date. LEACH'S STORM-PETREL 2. Great views of at least 2 Leach's Storm-Petrels. Now 3 times in a row from this boat on this trip. storm-petrel sp. 1. Probably a Leach's NORTHERN FULMAR 1. Winter arrival. A bit early? Cory's Shearwater 65 Great Shearwater 14 Manx Shearwater 1 shearwater sp. 3 Northern Gannet 18
Marine Mammals ------------------------ ZERO!
Fishes --------- Ocean Sunfish - 1 Blue Shark - 9! Lots of shark activity. All seemed to be consistent with this species.
