Ben Griffith and I led an all-day pelagic trip yesterday for the
Seacoast Chapter of NH Audubon aboard the "Granite State" out of Rye
Harbor, NH.
After leaving Rye Harbor, we headed offshore toward the Isles of Shoals
where we made a brief stop at the Tern colony at White and Seavey
Islands. Here we we tried (in vain) to locate the mega-rare Bridled
Tern seen recently. We then continued east to a southwestern portion of
Jeffrey’s Ledge known as Old Scantum and followed the inside edge of
Jeffrey’s Ledge east and then north until we crossed over to the outside
edge of Jeffrey’s Ledge into deep water (over 700’) before returning.
On the way back to Rye harbor we cruised through “The Gut” (between
Appledore Island and Lunging Island) and inspected a few islands before
returning.
Highlights for the trip included huge numbers of recently arrived
Wilson’s Storm-Petrels as well as high numbers of Red-necked Phalaropes
and Northern Fulmar. Only a small number of shearwaters were seen, but
we got nice close views of both Great and Sooty. One of the most
unusual sightings of the day was a Thick-billed Murre INSIDE RYE HARBOR
as we returned!
Thanks to Zeke Cornell and Holly Bauer for organizing this trip and to
Captain Pete Reynolds and crew for helping to spot whales and birds!
7:30 AM - 3:00 PM
Mostly sunny with some afternoon clouds, but excellent visibility. Calm
winds and long 4' seas created a roller coaster ocean in the morning.
The seas subsided a bit in the afternoon with a light breeze and chop.
Thanks to Ben Griffith for doing his best to estimate numbers for the day.
Canada Goose 61 - Mostly in Rye harbor, but also a single bird
swimming in the ocean by the Isles of Shoals.
Common Eider 70 - Including babies
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) 5 - Rye Harbor only
Mourning Dove 2 - Rye Harbor only
Ruby-throated Hummingbird 1 - OFFSHORE. Surprise bird over Jeffrey's
Ledge.
American Oystercatcher 2 - Includes one which was counted in both
Maine and New Hampshire as it flew across Gosport Harbor at the Isles of
Shoals.
Killdeer 1 - Rye Harbor only
Red Phalarope 0
RED-NECKED PHALAROPE 123
Willet 2 - Rye Harbor only
Ruddy Turnstone 1
Black Guillemot 32
THICK-BILLED MURRE 2 - Incredibly TWO Thick-billed Murres in June!
One distant flyby identified by photos. Another incredible bird INSIDE
RYE HARBOR!
COMMON MURRE 1 - Unfortunately a distant flyby only.
Bonaparte's Gull 24
Laughing Gull 3
Ring-billed Gull 1
American Herring Gull 302
Great Black-backed Gull 247
Common Tern 550 - Mostly over White & Seavey Islands, but many
foraging offshore
Roseate Tern 5 - Picked out over White & Seavey Islands
ARCTIC TERN 1 - Spotted by Eric Masterson and others on top deck.
Red-throated Loon 4 - Late migrating birds
Common Loon 12
WILSON'S STORM-PETREL 3,552 - Likely a record high daily count for
NH. The great majority of birds were concentrated over shallow waters
of Jeffrey's Ledge.
NORTHERN FULMAR 28 - High count for date. Many in area off the back
side of Jeffrey's Ledge.
GREAT SHEARWATER 3 - Finally got a nice close view of one.
Sooty Shearwater 1 - Only one, but nice close views.
Northern Gannet 20 - All immature birds.
Double-crested Cormorant 393 - Most at breeding colony at Lunging
Island. Some small groups of immatures apparently migrating.
Glossy Ibis 11 - Flying offshore going to or from the Isles of Shoals.
Snowy Egret 2 - Flying offshore going to or from the Isles of Shoals.
Great Egret 2 - Flying offshore going to or from the Isles of Shoals.
Bald Eagle 1 - Rye Harbor only
American Crow 1 - Rye Harbor only
Tree Swallow 1 - OFFSHORE. Strange bird out on Jeffrey's Ledge.
Purple Martin 3 - Rye Harbor only
Barn Swallow 6 - Rye Harbor only
European Starling 1 - Rye Harbor only
American Robin 2 - Rye Harbor only
House Finch 1 - Rye Harbor only
Song Sparrow 1 - Rye Harbor only
Red-winged Blackbird 2 - Rye Harbor only
Common Grackle 10 - Rye Harbor only
Northern Yellow Warbler 1 - Rye Harbor only
Marine Mammals
------------------------
Humpback Whale – 3 (Identified as "Scylla" & "Slope"
Fin Whale - 1
Minke Whale - 1
Gray Seal - 1
