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.
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Upcoming Field Trips
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Midweek Hunt for Alcids and Seabirds
Rockport - Halibut Point State Park Halibut Point State Park, Rockport, MA, United StatesJoin us for a mid-week hunt for alcids and other wintering seabirds. Be prepared for cold and windy weather. If bad weather is predicted, contact the leader by 6:00 pm the previous evening.
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Millennium Park
Boston - Millennium Park Canoe Launch 300 Gardner Street, Boston, MA, United StatesJoin us to look for birds in a unique urban habitat that often draws numerous uncommon and rare birds. Birders of all levels will enjoy this trip. The trails are flat and easy to walk. We may offer optional 30-60 minute trip extensions to adjacent locations such as West Roxbury High School Marsh and/or Brook [...]
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Sconticut Neck and West Island, Fairhaven
Fairhaven - Sconticut Neck and West Island 209 Huttleston Ave,, Fairhaven, MA, United StatesWe will make several stops on the neck and then onto West Island to search for winter ducks, loons, grebes and shorebirds.
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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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Race Point Beach
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