Stellwagen Bank Pelagic Trip Report
On October 24 the BBC sponsored a pelagic birding trip from Gloucester to Stellwagen Bank aboard a chartered boat provided by Seven Seas Whale Watch. The trip was a smashing success! I’ll let one of our spotters, Max Chalfin-Jacobs, fill us in:
On a brisk but sunny October morning, the Privateer IV left the 7 Seas Whale Watch dock within the calm Gloucester Harbor. With guidance from Captain Jay Fronteiro, we decided to head south for Stellwagen Bank rather than north for Jeffrey’s Ledge, 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 farther 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.
View the eBird trip report here.
Many thanks to our spotters Max Chalfin-Jacobs and Steve Mirick and to Captain Jay and the crew at Seven Seas, both at sea and at the dock.
Taiwan: Gateway to Asian Birding, March 31, 2022, 7-8:15 PM
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To BBC Members, Trip Leaders and the Birding Community: As with many of you, we note with concern the rapidly increasing number of COVID infections in Massachusetts and throughout the country. Unlike last winter [...]
Taiwan: Gateway to Asian Birding, March 31, 2022, 7-8:15 PM
Did you know that Taiwan ranks 7th in eBird checklist submissions among all countries on the planet? Birder and photographer Jared Keyes will share his experiences and stunning photos from this amazing mountainous island [...]
Can you say “Peent!”?
On Saturday March 26, BBC hosted a woodcock walk for kids. In spite of the damp weather, twenty excited children and parents joined trip leaders Kathy Dia and Naeem Yusuff at Belmont's Rock Meadow for [...]
BBC offers two Bill Drummond Young Birder’s Scholarships to National Audubon’s Hog Island camp
The BBC is pleased to announce that we will again offer two Bill Drummond Young Birder’s Scholarships to nurture interest in bird study and conservation among young birders. The 2022 scholarships will cover the [...]
BBC Donates to Kestrel Educational Adventures
The BBC is proud to announce a donation of $400 to Kestrel Educational Adventures to pay for field guides and orienteering compasses for elementary school students in a program sponsored by the town of [...]
BBC makes a conservation donation in honor of Mark Blazis to the Auburn Birdbanding Research Station
The BBC, through our Conservation and Education Committee, has made a conservation donation in honor of Mark Blazis to the Auburn Birdbanding Research Station, which Mark directed until he passed away in November 2021. A [...]
Common-sense Guidelines for Field Trip Attendees and Leaders
To BBC Members, Trip Leaders and the Birding Community: As with many of you, we note with concern the rapidly increasing number of COVID infections in Massachusetts and throughout the country. Unlike last winter [...]
Taiwan: Gateway to Asian Birding, March 31, 2022, 7-8:15 PM
Did you know that Taiwan ranks 7th in eBird checklist submissions among all countries on the planet? Birder and photographer Jared Keyes will share his experiences and stunning photos from this amazing mountainous island [...]
Can you say “Peent!”?
On Saturday March 26, BBC hosted a woodcock walk for kids. In spite of the damp weather, twenty excited children and parents joined trip leaders Kathy Dia and Naeem Yusuff at Belmont's Rock Meadow for [...]
BBC offers two Bill Drummond Young Birder’s Scholarships to National Audubon’s Hog Island camp
The BBC is pleased to announce that we will again offer two Bill Drummond Young Birder’s Scholarships to nurture interest in bird study and conservation among young birders. The 2022 scholarships will cover the [...]
BBC Donates to Kestrel Educational Adventures
The BBC is proud to announce a donation of $400 to Kestrel Educational Adventures to pay for field guides and orienteering compasses for elementary school students in a program sponsored by the town of [...]
BBC makes a conservation donation in honor of Mark Blazis to the Auburn Birdbanding Research Station
The BBC, through our Conservation and Education Committee, has made a conservation donation in honor of Mark Blazis to the Auburn Birdbanding Research Station, which Mark directed until he passed away in November 2021. A [...]
Common-sense Guidelines for Field Trip Attendees and Leaders
To BBC Members, Trip Leaders and the Birding Community: As with many of you, we note with concern the rapidly increasing number of COVID infections in Massachusetts and throughout the country. Unlike last winter [...]
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Upcoming Field Trips
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Belle Isle Marsh and Vicinity
East Boston - Belle Isle Parking Lot 1399 Bennington Street, Boston, MA, United StatesLed by DCR staff. We will search on foot up to one mile, on flat, easy terrain for snowy owls and other raptors, native sparrows, finches, waterfowl, and other birds. This is a traveling program by car or bike. Prepare for ticks. Ages: Adults and kids 8 years+ with adult chaperone. Binoculars recommended. ADA/Reasonable Accommodations [...]
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CANCELLED – Early Birders @ Chestnut Hill Reservoir, Boston
Chestnut Hill Reservoir 2420 Beacon Street, Boston, MA, United StatesThis walk is CANCELLED due to a schedule conflict.
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Race Point Beach
Provincetown - Race Point BeachLet’s start the year with some awesome birds! We will bird from the beach close to the parking lot. We may walk the beach depending on participants interest. Several species of alcids are possible as well as gannets, Iceland and Glaucous Gulls and three loon species. Dress for cold windy weather. We may try other [...]
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New Year’s Day Birding — Newburyport and Vicinity
Newburyport - Cashman Park 68 Sally Snyder Way, Newburyport, MA, United StatesJoin us on our annual New Year’s Day birding trip! We may also venture on to Cape Ann. In case of inclement weather check with leader night before trip. Note that an entrance fee or pass is required to visit Parker River NWR.
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Belle Isle Marsh and Vicinity
East Boston - Belle Isle Parking Lot 1399 Bennington Street, Boston, MA, United StatesLed by DCR staff. We will search on foot up to one mile, on flat, easy terrain for snowy owls and other raptors, native sparrows, finches, waterfowl, and other birds. This is a traveling program by car or bike. Prepare for ticks. Ages: Adults and kids 8 years+ with adult chaperone. Binoculars recommended. ADA/Reasonable Accommodations [...]