October 24 Half Day Pelagic from Gloucester

Leaders: Steve Mirick, Max Chalfin-Jacobs

BBC trip organizers: John Edmondson, Cliff Cook, Marilyn Tillinghast, Naeem Yusuff, Sebastian Jones

eBird lists and trip report by M. Chalfin-Jacobs

https://ebird.org/tripreport/425873

On a brisk but sunny October 24th morning, the Privateer IV left the 7 Seas Whale Watch dock within the calm Gloucester Harbor. With guidance from Captain Jay, the decision was made to head south for Stellwagen Bank rather than north, in hopes of encountering larger congregations of seabirds after reported scarcity on Jeffrey’s Ledge. This turned out to be an excellent decision, as birders on board were treated to exceptional looks at exciting feeding flocks containing 100s of gannets and dolphins, dozens of shearwaters, interrupted only by a few daring Pomarine Jaegers.

On the return trip to Gloucester we encountered a lone Northern Fulmar, a species we were worried would be challenging further South, and definitely a highlight of the trip. There was also the occasional buzz when a migrating passerine would zip past the boat, including a Dark-eyed Junco that followed us for 30 minutes, and a brief appearance from a Yellow-rumped Warbler. Other marine wildlife included 100+ Atlantic White-sided Dolphin, 10 Common Dolphin, and 30 Harbor Porpoise.