The past two weekends have had terrible weather for getting offshore,=20
unfortunately, and I've twice canceled plans to go offshore fishing from the=
=20
Virginia Beach Fishing Center. Very frustrating! This coming weekend,=20
however, looks pretty darn good for weather, and Brian Patteson reports that=
=20
he still has a few spots left on the Saturday trip from Lynnhaven Inlet,=20
Virginia Beach. His contact information is below. Happy Winter!
[from Pelagics Listserv:]
We still have a few spaces available on our pelagic trip from Virginia
Beach this weeekend and the long range weather forecast looks favorable
for us being able to get out on Saturday. We also have Sunday reserved
as a weather date just in case we need it. Our destination on this trip
is the Norfolk Canyon, about 65 nautical miles east of Va. Beach. I
have not been to these waters recently, but this is usually a good time
to see numbers of Black-legged Kittiwakes and Red Phalaropes, which are
sometimes scarce on our February trips here. With the recent barrage of
cold fronts, we can also hope for some alcids (Dovekies, Razorbills,
Atlantic Puffins, murres) and maybe a Great Skua, which is generally
pretty reliably found here in January and February. We really haven=E2=80=
=99t
run many trips in December, but on the few that we have run, Northern
Fulmar, Greater and Manx Shearwaters, and both Pomarine and Parasitic
Jaegers have been seen, and there is always the chance for something
big. There are a couple of records of Yellow-nosed Albatross off
Virginia in November and December. Already off Hatteras, we've seen the fir=
st
alcids arriving in the past few days. As always, we go offshore with "high=20
hopes"!
This is the only pelagic trip that we will be offering until mid
February, and the cost is $100 per person. The trip will probably last
a minimum of 12 hours, and experienced leaders, including Ned Brinkley,
Butch Pearce, and Brian Patteson will be aboard to help newcomers with
spotting and identification. (Make sure you let the guides know if you'd=20
like a little
extra help!) Captain Kevin Seldon of the Nancy Anne (at
Lynnhaven Seafood Marina, just off Shore Drive) has run many trips for
us, and always goes the extra mile to make them successful.
The meeting time for this trip is 0500, but interested parties should
make a reservation in advance. I will be away from e-mail begiining on
Friday morning, but messages can be left at (252) 986-1363, and you may
be able to reach me at (252) 473-9163 after that. For directions to the=20
dock,
consult the website at http://www.seabirding.com. =20
Good birding!
Brian Patteson
Seabirding
Hatteras, North Carolina USA
Posted by Ned Brinkley
Cape Charles, VA=20
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