Florida Pelagic Trip - July 30th 2011 (1 Viewer)

Michael Brothers has organized another pelagic trip out of Volusia County on 30th July. Here are the details if you are interested in signing up.

Hi to all,
The Marine Science Center is partnering with the American Ornithologists Union to present another pelagic trip opportunity. On Saturday, July 30, in
conjunction with the American Ornithologists Union meeting in Jacksonville, we will be hosting a pelagic trip across the Gulf Stream. Andy Kratter and I have been developing this event for the AOU meeting. However, the meeting will not be able to fill all of the spots, so we have opened it up to the public. Any proceeds from the trip will benefit the Marine Science Center.
Join us for our fifth public exploration off the east coast of Florida that
will explore the entire width of the Gulf Stream and the 3000’ deep canyons
100 miles offshore.
“The Pastime Princess” is a 100-foot, all-aluminum boat with excellent
observation areas on the upper deck, bow and stern. Meet for this exciting trip at 5:00 a.m. at the Dolphin View Restaurant and Marina on Riverside Drive near Canal Street in downtown New Smyrna Beach. Return is at 9:00 p.m.
The trip leaves from the New Smyrna side of Ponce de Leon Inlet, travels out
over 100 miles, crosses the entire Gulf Stream, past the east wall of the Gulf
Stream into the area known as the “Tuna Grounds.” This trip holds high
probability of encountering exciting pelagic species. We will be in the Gulf
Stream at one of the best times to find White-tailed Tropicbird. In addition,
summer visitors such as Cory’s, Great and Audubon’s Shearwaters, and all
three Storm-Petrels (Leach’s, Wilson’s and Band-rumped) are possibilities.
There is also a good chance of also finding Black-capped Petrels.

Potential Species include (* indicates good probability):
Black-capped Petrel; Cory’s Shearwater *; Great Shearwater *; Audubon’s
Shearwater *; Wilson’s Storm Petrel *; Leach’s Storm-Petrel; Band-rumped
Storm-Petrel *; Brown Booby; Masked Booby; Red-footed Booby; White-tailed Tropicbird*; Red-billed Tropicbird; Sooty Tern*; Bridled Tern *; Brown Noddy

Participants should bring: food and beverages, seasickness medicine, sunscreen and personal items. Food service will be available on the boat for breakfast, lunch and dinner at moderate prices.


COST: $160 per person


Call or email NOW to reserve your space. Additional information, maps and
available accommodations will be forwarded to participants. DON’T MISS this
exceedingly rare opportunity to bird in almost unexplored state waters, with
the chance at seeing some of the rarest birds in Florida!

To sign up please contact:
Michael Brothers
Marine Science Center
386-304-5543
mbrothers AT co.volusia.fl.us

Please make checks payable Friends of the Marine Science Center
and mail to:
Friends of the Marine Science Center c/o Marine Science Center
100 Lighthouse Drive
Ponce Inlet, FL 32127

here is the trip report from the May 14th Pelagic run by Michael.

A total of 53 stalwart passengers met at 4:00 am to board the boat out
of Ponce de Leon Inlet for an exploration of the Gulf Stream and beyond.
The sea were moderate with 4-6 foot sea and SW winds at 10-15 knots. An
11 second period between waves made for fairly smooth sailing. As is
usual, the first 40 miles or so were uneventful. We met a distant flock
of 12 unidentified shorebirds, probably Red-necked Phalaropes at 27
miles. We occasionally a few passerines in migration. As an experiment,
I had bought an artificial ficus tree and secured it to the deck to see
if it might entice one of the migrants to land on the boat. Despite the
laughs that this generated by our artificial forest, the exhausted
migrants seemed to think it looked pretty inviting. They would make
repeated passes at it. Then, at 53 miles out a female Blackpoll Warbler
actually landed in the fake tree! Next time I am going to have a whole
grove of trees along!

We usually expect to begin to find Black-capped Petrels at 60 miles out.
We Reached 60 miles and began to put out a heavy chum slick. Right on
cue we had a Black-capped Petrel zip passed us. This area also turned up
an Audubon's Shearwater, 2 Wilson's Storm-Petrels, and a spectacular
adult Pomarine Jaeger with full spoons on the tail! A really gorgeous
bird. Then, the bird we always hope for -- White-tailed Tropicbird!
The bird made a quick pass around us and then disappeared. We also found
an assortment of warblers, including a female Redstart that flew right
between Bob Wallace's feet, a female Common Yellowthroat, and a Cape May
Warbler.

We continued out to about 100 miles off shore. The journey turned up
more phalaropes including 5 Red-necked Phalaropes, 2 Red Phalaropes, and
another 15+ unidentified phalaropes. We found 2 more Black-capped
Petrels. We also found 8 Sooty Terns, 4 Bridled Terns, 1 immature Brown
Booby, a Band-rumped Storm-Petrel, another 12+ Wilson's Storm-Petrels,
10+ Audubon's Shearwaters, 1 Cory's Shearwater, 3 unidentified
shearwaters.

The most amazing bird, however, was a spectacular Red-billed Tropicbird!
To find a White-tailed Tropicbird and a Red-billed Tropicbird in the
same was unbelievable, and it was perhaps the first time that both
species have been found in the same day in Florida. I would love to hear
if some knows if this has happened before.

I think that we were all excited and exhausted by the day when we were
making the long trip home, when at about 40 miles out we hit a terrific
storm. Strong winds and driving rain made the journey exciting. We
finally pulled back into port at about 8:30 p.m.

Another great pelagic trip! Thanks so much to all of the leaders that
helped me out: Murray Gardler, Bruce Anderson, John Murphy, Mark Berney
and Bob Wallace.

Michael

Michael Brothers
Marine Science Center
Ponce Inlet