August (September) Overnight Pelagic

After several storm-related delays, the overnight pelagic sailed on September 3. It was a great success as Rick Heil's report shows:

3-4 SEPTEMBER 2009:

BROOKLINE BIRD CLUB's "EXTREME PELAGIC" from HYANNIS, MA to HYDROGRAPHER, VEATCH & EAST ATLANTIS CANYONS and vicinity, via NANTUCKET SHOALS

Richard S. Heil

Roughly 40 participants plus leaders Rick Heil, Jeremiah Trimble, Mark Flaherty, and Ian Davies, along with trip organizer Ida Giriunas, joined Captain Joe Huckameyer and the able crew of the 100 foot 'Helen H' for our first overnight trip of the 'Extreme Pelagic" series. To say it was merely a success would be a dramatic understatement! We either tied, slashed or surpased the state records for White-faced Storm-Petrel, Band-rumped Storm-Petrel, Bridled Tern, and Long-tailed Jaeger! Indeed, we are rapidly learning that these 'warmer water seabirds' are regular and expected in New England waters around the offshore canyons and shelf break, and beyond, and that these Massachusetts offshore waters are probably the best anywhere for finding White-faced Storm-Petrels on this side of the North Atlantic.

Course:

Thursday, 3 Sep.: Hyannis (depart c. 0530) across Nantucket Shoals to Hydrographer Canyon, then east and south of the canyon (off the shelf to water 6800 feet deep, 79.5 F water temp) before working west to anchor after dark in Veatch Canyon. While traversing the shoals we encountered an amazing concentration of birds in one area, including hundreds of shearwaters, thousands of terns, and numerous jaegers. One mixed flock of seven jaegers first seen on the water (Long-tailed and Parasitic together) initially caused confusion among the leaders until photos could later be sorted and critically analyzed. What is a pelagic without a good jaeger conundrum?

Friday, 4 Sep.: Veatch Canyon south and then east to East Atlantis Canyon and beyond (all in water 77-78 F, to 5400 feet deep), then north to Muskeget Channel and return to Hyannis (arriving c. 1715).

Weather: Thurs. 9/3: Mostly cloudy to overcast, E winds 8-15 mph, 70's; Fri., 9/4: mostly overcast, showers, NNE winds 10-20 mph, 70's; seas both days 2-4 foot, at times even 1-2 foot.

Visibility: Very good to excellent for most of the trip, except fair to good in showers and occ. light fog generally in cooler waters.

Common Eider (3): 3 females - Muskeget Channel -9/4.

White-winged Scoter (1): 1 - Muskeget Channel - 9/4.

Common Loon (9): 8 - Nantucket Shoal - 9/3 ; 1 - S. of Muskeget Channel - 9/4.

Cory's Shearwater (408): 395 - Nantucket Shoals, 4 - Hydrographer Canyon vic. - 9/3; 4 - Veatch/East Atlantis Canyons, 5 - S. of Muskeget Channel - 9/4: Many Cory's throughout the trip were scrutinized for possible 'Scoploli's Shearwater (C. d. diomedea), but all viewed critically appeared to be borealis.

Greater Shearwater (1377): 1320 - Nantucket Shoals, 12 - Hydrographer Canyon vic. - 9/3; 39 - Veatch/East Atlantis Canyons vic., 6 - S. of Muskeget Channel - 9/4.

Sooty Shearwater (15) - All from Nantucket Shoals.

Manx Shearwater (20) - All from Nantucket Shoals.

Audubon's Shearwater (28): 25 - Hydrographer Canyon vic. - 9/3 ( *** New State High Count, cf., 19 - W. Atlantis/Atlantis Canyons - 7/18/09); 3 - Veatch/East Atlantis Canyons vic. - 9/4.

Wilson's Storm-Petrel (563): 137 - - Nantucket Shoals, 111 - Hydrographer Canyon vic. - 9/3; 290 - Veatch/East Atlantis Canyons vic., 25 - S. of Muskeget Channel - 9/4.

WHITE-FACED STORM-PETREL (6): 3 - Hydrographer Canyon vic. - 9/3 (all roughly vicinity of 40 02.9 N, 69 02.0 W in 67.2 F water); 3 - Veatch/East Atlantis Canyons vic. (1 - 39 50.2 N, 69 44.1 W; 1 - 39 50.0 N, 69 45.7 W; 1 - 39 50.2 N, 69 48.9 W; all of these on 9/4 in water 77-78 F.) - 9/4. ***Three each day both tie the prior single day high count for Massachusetts, but six detected in two days in a narrow cruise track in adjacent but different waters (along with other numerous records in the past) indicates the routine, albeit low density presence of this species here in the August-September window.

Image: Paul Cozza

Leach's Storm-Petrel (50): 46 - Hydrographer Canyon vic. - 9/3; 4 - Veatch/East Atlantis Canyons vic.- 9/4.

BAND-RUMPED STORM-PETREL (8): 4 - Hydrographer Canyon vic. - 9/3; 4 - Veatch/East Atlantis Canyons vic.- 9/4 ; ***Four each day both tie the prior single day high count for Massachusetts.

Northern Gannet (5 sub-adults) - Nantucket Shoals.

Double-crested Cormorant (20+) - Muskeget Channel.

Whimbrel (3) : 2 migrating S - Hydrographer Canyon vic. - 9/3; 1 migrating S at dawn- Veatch Canyon - 9/4.

HUDSONIAN GODWIT (62): A remarkable and amazing observation!!!; a single flock observed migrating south low over the water beyond the shelf edge nearly 100 miles SE of Nantucket on 9/4! Next stop South America in a couple of days of non-stop flight? See Photo from Jeremiah Trimble

Calidris sp. (2) - Nantucket Shoals - 9/3

Red-necked Phalarope (16) - Nantucket Shoals - 9/3.

phalarope sp. (2) - Nantucket Shoals - 9/3.

Laughing Gull (365): 5 - Nantucket Shoals - 9/3 ; 360(overwhelming majority juvs.) - Muskeget Channel - 9/4.

Herring Gull (47): 40 - Nantucket Shoals - 9/3 ; 7 - Muskeget Channel - 9/4.

Great Black-backed Gull (21): 15 - Nantucket Shoals - 9/3 ; 6 - Muskeget Channel - 9/4.

BRIDLED TERN (5; 2 adults, 3 imms.): *** New state high count; All roughly 2-3 miles SW of East Atlantis Canyon on 9/4 in an area of 77 F water and abundant Sargassum Weed near 39 55.9 N, 69 59.1 W. Spectacular close views were had of an adult sitting on a floating board (from hich perch he reached under the board and snagged a fish!), then 3 immatures (1S/juvs) at one point flying together, then a second adult-like bird later.

Image: Paul Cozza

Least Tern (2): 1 - Hyannis - 9/3; 1 juv. - Muskeget Channel - 9/4.

Black Tern (94): 93 - Nantucket Sound to Nantucket Shoals - 9/3; 1 - Muskeget Channel - 9/4.

Roseate Tern (15+): - Nantucket Shoals - 9/3.

Common Tern (2385+): 2300+ - Nantucket Shoals - 9/3. ; 85 - Muskeget Channel - 9/4.

Forster's Tern (1) - Nantucket Shoals - 9/3.

Sterna sp. (560+) - Nantucket Shoals - 9/3.

Pomarine Jaeger (7): 5 - Nantucket Shoals; 1 - Hydrographer Canyon vic. - 9/3 ; 1 - S. of Muskeget Channel - 9/4.

Parasitic Jaeger (5+): 3+ - Nantucket Shoals - 9/3 ; 2 - Muskeget Channel - 9/4.

Long-tailed Jaeger (7+): 6+(1 juv., 5 sub-ads.) - Nantucket Shoals (1 juv.) - Hydrographer Canyon vic. - 9/3.

jaeger sp. (14+): 11+ - - Nantucket Shoals, 3 - Hydrographer Canyon vic. - 9/3.

Mammals and other marine life:

Fin Whale (1) - Nantucket Shoals on 9/3.

Humpback Whale (1) - Nantucket Shoals on 9/3.

possible Sperm Whale (1) - Hydrographer Canyon vic. - 9/3

bottlenosed whale sp./possible Cuvier's (1) - Hydrographer Canyon vic. - 9/3

Gray Grampus/Risso's Dolphin (40+) - Hydrographer Canyon vic. - 9/3

Offshore Bottlenosed Dolphin (150+): 30 - Hydrographer Canyon vic. - 9/3 ; 120 - Veatch/East Atlantis Canyons vic.- 9/4.

Short-beaked Common Dolphin (80+) - Nantucket Shoals - 9/3.

Harbor Porpoise (7+) Nantucket Shoals - 9/3.

Ocean Sunfish (3)

Blue Shark (2)

manta ray sp. (1)

numerous flying fish

Yellowfin Tuna (1) - Caught by crew in Veatch Canyon.

Skipjack (1) - Caught by crew in Veatch Canyon.

Trip photos here:

Jeremiah Trimble day 1 and day 2

Ian Davies

John Hoye

Paul Cozza

Thanks to Ida Giriunas for organizing these trips and to the many birders whose participation gets us out there to find new discoveries!

July Pelagic

From Rick Heil:

SATURDAY, 18 JULY 2009:

Brookline Bird Club EXTREME PELAGIC: HYANNIS to WEST ATLANTIS and ATLANTIS CANYONS (0400-2115 hours)

Weather: A.M.: Mostly overcast, rain (heavy at times) until about 0830 hrs, S-SW winds 10-22 mph, 62-75 F.
P.M.: Partly sunny (hazy), S-SW winds 8-15 mph, 65-75 F.

Seas: 4-6 feet in the A.M., diminishing to 2-4 feet in the afternoon.

Visibility: Mostly very good after the rain ended; light to moderate fog over cooler Nantucket Shoals waters on the return.

Leaders: Richard S. Heil, Jeremiah Trimble, and Steve "the man on the mike" Mirick; no trips would happen without the dedication and hard work of Ida Giriunas.

Approximate route aboard the "Helen H" with able Captain Joe Huckameyer and excellent attentive crew Matt and Bob: From Hyannis via Muskeget Channel south to West Atlantis Canyon, then east to Atlantis Canyon, then north across Nantucket Shoals and back into Nantucket Sound between Nantucket and Monomoy Islands.

An exact route map nicely charted via GPS by Steve Mirick (click to enlarge):


A nearly full boat endured moderately rough conditions in the morning on the way to the shelf edge, but were rewarded with diminished seas as the day progressed and were especially rewarded by some great pelagic birding. Proving once again the exciting possibilities in these mostly unexplored waters, we encountered our first Pterodroma petrel in the Extreme Pelagic trip history, a beautiful BLACK-CAPPED PETREL that showed for nearly five minutes, making two close passes to the boat, all the while pursued expertly at full throttle by the captain. Chasing Pterodromas is not for the weak at heart!

Other highlights included a new state high count for Audubon's Shearwaters and a nice tally of Leach's Storm-Petrels, many being well seen. The major 'lowlight' was the sad case of a Right Whale, injured an entangled in fishing gear south of Nantucket Shoals.

photo by Jason Forbes

Common Eider (5 males): just off Martha's Vineyard.
BLACK-CAPPED PETREL (1) Found in approximately 425 feet of water (surface T = 72 F), 
about 15 miles NW of the head of West Atlantis Canyon and 77 miles south of Martha's Vineyard, 
at 40 10 15 N, 70 43 90 W.   In view 4-5 minutes; seen by most on board;
 the petrel made two close passes at the boat arcing high in typical Pterodroma fashion in wind; 
photographically documented; about 5th state record; spectacular bird.




Photos by Jeremiah Trimble

Cory's Shearwater (232) : Many identified as borealis; a couple possible Scopoli's candidates not fully documented.
Greater Shearwater (240)
Sooty Shearwater (16)
Manx Shearwater (3)
Audubon's Shearwater (19): HIGH COUNT; All in warmer (70-76 degree F.) waters near the shelf edge; many in heavy molt;
New state high count! Previous high was of 17-Hyrographer Canyon vicinity-9 August 2007.

photo by Jason Forbes

black-and-white shearwater sp. (1) : Manx/Little type not well seen.
Wilson's Storm-Petrel (475)
Leach's Storm-Petrel (58) : Most in or near deeper waters near shelf break as is typical



Photo by Jeremiah Trimble

storm-petrel sp. (3): LESP/ Band-rumped's not well observed.
Northern Gannet (3 sub ads.)
Herring Gull (3)
Great Black-backed Gull (7)
Least Tern (2) : Near M.V.
Common Tern (4)-Natucket Shoals.
Sterna sp. (10)
Pomarine Jaeger (1) ; Darkish sub-adult; oddly only jaeger for the day.
passerine sp. (1) : Small (large warbler/vireo/waxwing) size, squat, short tailed; maybe 10-15 miles south of M.V.



NORTH ATLANTIC RIGHT WHALE (1): Sadly entangled in fishing gear (ropes and flotation ball) about 42 miles SSE of Nantucket. 
The animal also showed old healed propeller damage on the back; the situation was duly reported and rescue efforts 
may be underway soon if they are not already. (see below for an update)







Photos by Jeremiah Trimble

Gray Grampus (Risso's Dolphin) (1)
Bottlenosed Dolphin (70)
Common (Saddleback) Dolphin (28)
Harbor Seal (2)

Blue Shark (1)
Hammerhead Shark (1): about 7 ft long
Ocean Sunfish, Mola mola (2)
a number of Flying Fish sp.
Green Darner, Anax junius (1)

Thanks to all the participants aboard who made this trip happen!


Whale update from Scott Landry, Provincetown Center for Coastal Studies:

Based on your images the New England Aquarium verified the ID as an adult male nicknamed Radiator. The whale was last seen gear-free by our aerial survey program in Cape Cod Bay in April. Based on your images it now seems clear that the whale is not entangled by the flukes but perhaps somewhere forward on the body, such as the head (a common occurrence in right whale entanglements). The scarring you observed was a mix of old wounds (from two previous entanglements) and new (likely from the current line chafing against the tailstock). Due to time of day of the report and distance from our port no entanglement response was possible. Since Nantucket Shoal is not known to be a reliable feeding area for right whales, Radiator is probably long gone from that area, though the Great South Channel might be his next stop (just a guess). Our disentanglement network has been alerted to this case and now we can only hope for another opportunistic sighting of this whale (we may also hope that his entanglement is not serious and may be shed).

On a brighter note we had three South Polar skuas during a whale survey yesterday on Cultivator Shoal. Very impressive birds.

Pictures and reports

Jeremiah Trimble's Photos

James P. Smith's Photos

Derek Lovitch's Report

Nick Bonomo's Report

Jason Forbes's Report and separate Greater Shearwater photos