Greetings: Yes, this trip has become known as the White-Faced Storm Petrel trip by birders thru-out the country…The deep warm waters along the continental shelf off Massachusetts are magical and this weekend, they were calm and the weather was comfortable… Three WHITE-FACED STORM PETRELS were seen well by all on board, additional ones were seen at a distance… A BLACK -CAPPED Petrel was seen by several people but not by me… In addition to the usual shearwaters, terns, gulls and Wilson’s storm petrels circling the boat, also seen during the trip, were several LONG-TAILED Jaegers, two parasitic Jaegers, several AUDUBON SHEARWATERS, several BAND-RUMPED and LEACH’S STORM PETRELS. But stealing the show was a 20-25 foot WHALE SHARK coming to our chum. Also seen were 4 BEAKED WHALES which even breached when first seen…Large pods of Bottle-nosed and Common Dolphins visited and even a sea turtle…
A Complete report of the trip will be posted in the near future…
The Club has another trip going to the same waters on September 24,25, 2016. Space is still available… Contact me for further information.
Ida Giriunas
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Upcoming Field Trips
Pine Hill Road Grassland (Rescheduled from 6/14)
Lancaster - Pine Hill Road Grasslands Pine Hill Road, Lancaster, MA, United StatesThis trip will focus on finding some of the unusual birds that nest at Pine Hill - Grasshopper Sparrow, Vesper Sparrow, and Eastern Whip-poor-will. Easy walk over flat sandy roads. Rain cancels walk.
Birding by Ear: Breeding Birds
Topsfield - Willowdale State Forest - Gravelly Brook Trail 299 Ipswich Road, Topsfield, MA, United StatesA two-mile walk focused on learning bird song and looking for breeding birds in Willowdale State Forest. Open to beginners. Long sleeves and pants helpful against ticks and mosquitoes
Crane Wildlife Management Area, East Falmouth (with additional stops)
Falmouth - Crane WMA 754 Nathan Ellis Highway, Falmouth, MA, United StatesWith CCBC leading. This unique grassland habitat is host to a rich variety of species, including Eastern Meadowlark, Grasshopper Sparrow, Bobolink, American Kestrel and possibly Blue Grosbeak. When we’re done at Crane, we can cross the road and scan Coonamessett Field for raptor activity. Those wishing to can continue on to Mass Audubon’s Ashumet Holly [...]
Slow Birding at Revere Beach
Revere Beach 21 Revere Beach Blvd, Revere, MA, United StatesLed by DCR Park Staff. Come observe the beautiful details of birds and their behaviors and share observations with others in the group. Pose questions and memories that observations elicit. Birds we may see include Piping Plover, Manx Shearwater, resident gulls, with Common Tern arriving by May. Suitable for adults and children 8 years+. Children [...]
Crane Beach, Ipswich
Ipswich - Crane Beach 331 Argilla Rd, Ipswich, MA, United StatesThis two-mile walk in the sand is aimed at nesting Piping Plovers, Least Terns, and Bank Swallows, as well as evening singers such as Whip-poor-wills. Be prepared for mosquitoes at sunset. Co-sponsored by the Essex County Ornithological Club.