The second annual Paulagics spring overnight pelagic trip out of Brooklyn is now just over a month away, and there are still spots available on the boat. Our first year sailing out of Brooklyn was a tremendous success and we are eager to get back out to the deep!
The plan for the trip is to leave the dock at 8 PM on Sunday, June 5th, aboard the 110' Brooklyn VI, and be at the Hudson Canyon, laying down a chum slick, well before the sun rises. At 22 hours, this trip is 4 hours longer than some of the similar mid-Atlantic pelagic trips running this year, in order to give us time to more thoroughly explore these interesting and seldom-birded far off shore areas. This is classically one of the most desirable times of the year for pelagic trips in the region, especially deep water ones, and in addition to more expected species like Cory's, Great, Manx, and Sooty Shearwaters, Red & Red-necked Phalaropes, and all 3 species of Jaegers (often adults in great plumage at this time of year!), it is a great window for SOUTH POLAR SKUA (probably the best time of year in the area for this species), LEACH'S STORM-PETREL, and ARCTIC TERN, and things like Northern Fulmar, Bridled Tern, and even a late deepwater alcid or two are legitimate possibilities. However, there is also the "Home Run" factor that is always there in late spring in deep water. The majority of records of YELLOW-NOSED ALBATROSS records in the Northeast are from this time window (including the first New York record, a scene which we are all dearly hoping to re-enact!). Last year we had South Polar Skua behind the boat before the sun was up and for much of the morning a small flock (!!!) of 3 were buzzing the boat, much to the delight of photographers. Specialties like Long-tailed and Pomarine Jaeger, Arctic Tern, Red-necked Phalarope and Leach's Storm Petrel were also seen. A small selection of images from the trip can be seen here- https://www.flickr.com/photos/103866258@N08/albums/72157653758717610 There will be food on board (a nice selection of freshly made human food, and plenty of chum for the birds as well), and there will be several experienced leaders to help people see and identify whatever we come across. It is also a great time of year for cetaceans, and there is a very good chance to run into at least some of Fin, Humpback, Minke, and Pilot Whales, as well as Risso's, Common and Offshore Bottlenose Dolphin The trip returns to the dock the evening of Monday, June 6. If you have any questions or would like to reserve a spot please contact us. *You can register/reserve space for the trip by E-Mail or phone: E-Mail: i...@paulagics.com Call Paulagics at 215-234-6805. *Full information on registering with the always helpful and friendly Paul or Anita Guris here: http://paulagics.com/?page_id=41 The boat is a fast, stable platform. It is 110' long, 26' wide, has a cruising speed of 18 knots, and is licensed for 132 passengers. A full overnight trip for us is about 42 people so there will be room for people to sleep. Hope to see you aboard!! Sean Sime. Brooklyn, NY. -- -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L 3) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
