I would certainly have to agree. I would also add that Brian's trips have
immensely added to our understanding of the pelagic birds of the area, e.g.,
Fea's Petrel, Bermuda Petrel, and Herald's Petrel, among others. In addition,
his trips are quite inexpensive compared to cruising, and if you are a
competitive birder the trips are essential. While some of the birds Brian has
seen can be found from cruise ships it is likely you will need his help if you
want to significantly add to your list. Needless to say, as with cruising,
these trips are not for everyone. The lack of comfort and seasickness will
always be an issue for some. Fortunately, as soon as you are back on land the
motion discomfort will quickly fade. The only significantly medical issue is
for those who have dehydration problems, such as people who have had
colectomies. For most people, motion sickness is not a medical concern. For
many beginning and intermediate level birders, pelagic birding is the next step
up, an "alien environment" as Mike says, an "undiscovered country." I would
strongly recommend going. You will see great birds, you may even contribute to
the science of these birds, and you will be helping to sustain an important
birding tradition.
Kevin Breault
Brentwood
________________________________
From: tn-bird-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [tn-bird-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] on behalf of
Michael Todd [birder1@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]
Sent: Wednesday, July 01, 2015 8:44 AM
To: TN-Birds Bird; BIRDKY Freelists
Subject: [TN-Bird] Recent photos from NC pelagics
Friends,
For anyone who might be interested, I've uploaded a LOT of photos from a trip
to NC in late May/early June. I did the last 6 days in a row on the spring
blitz Brian Patteson (Seabirding) runs every year. Weather was great, though
wind was lacking several days. Diversity was exceptional most days, with 15 or
more pelagic species seen. I have broken the images down by day, so many
species are shown multiple times, randomly. It is haphazard this way, but you
can almost follow along on the trip.
I had a very small target list (European Storm-Petrel, Bermuda Petrel,
White-tailed Tropicbird), and feel lucky to have had White-tailed Tropicbird on
2 of the 6 days, for an ABA bird. There was only one Bermuda seen all spring, 2
days before we started, and no European Storm-Petrels at all. The very last day
was the most exciting rarity wise, with Fea's Petrel finally (they had several
early in the spring) and great looks at both White-tailed and Red-billed
Tropicbird's. It was an exceptional spring for jeagers and Arctic Tern off NC,
at times we had all 3 jaegers behind the boat at once!
I drove over with a friend from TX, (and met fellow TN birder Rick Shipkowski
on the boat for a couple of days) so I have a few photos posted from
landbirding along the way, including my first ever trip to the Roan Mountain
area which was great.
Many here are familiar with Brian's trips off the Outer Banks, heck we even
have a couple of TN Birders who guide for Brian when they go! But, if you've
never been, and handle boats well at all, it is a must. These trips are a
fascinating way to get out to what is essentially an alien environment for us.
Also, as far as east coast trips go especially, the run out is a lot shorter
due to the Gulf Stream coming in very close to the Outer Banks, often you have
to run several hours just to get out to where you start birding.
For those with time on your hands.....the gallery is here:
NC trip spring 2015 by Michael Todd<http://www.pbase.com/mctodd/nc_spring_2015>
[image]<http://www.pbase.com/mctodd/nc_spring_2015>
NC trip spring 2015 by Michael Todd<http://www.pbase.com/mctodd/nc_spring_2015>
NC trip spring 2015
View on www.pbase.com<http://www.pbase.com/mctodd/nc_spring_2015>
Preview by Yahoo
Good Birding!!
Michael Todd
McKenzie, TN
birder1@xxxxxxxxxxxxx<mailto:birder1@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
www.pbase.com/mctodd<http://www.pbase.com/mctodd>
