Left Montauk at 5am this morning with Capt. Max Kramer, mostly to scout some of the near-shore Summer fly-fishing spots. Did a little chumming at a couple of spots, mostly looking for Mako Sharks and Bluefin Tuna, but hoping for some pelagic birds too.
Started 20 miles South of Quogue and worked South and East through the "Butterfish" area, ending up about 35 miles South of Montauk. Plenty of seabirds around including Great Shearwater (200+), Cory's Shearwater (6), Sooty Shearwater (2), Manx Shearwater (1), Pomarine Jaeger (6), Parasitic Jaeger (2), Jaeger sp. (4), Wilson's Storm-Petrel (50). On the non-bird front we had some Blue Sharks, a 15-foot Basking Shark, Ocean Sunfish, and a few Bluefin Tuna. On the way back to Montauk, we decided to check out a patch of 62-degree water about 5-miles Southeast of Montauk Light and quickly found a nice pod of Bluefin Tuna smashing bait on the surface. While we were watching them (no fishing today) a mid-sized, gray petrel slipped through the edge of my vision and as I turned it passed close to the boat giving me close-up views of a well-marked FEA'S PETREL. The bird did not stop, so we followed and I managed to snap a few shots (no BBC Wildlife Photographer of the Year award I'm afraid) during a pursuit at 36-knots. The bird did not seem the slightest bit concerned by our pursuit BTW and when it was done with us it simply just changed gears and left us behind. Pteradromas can really move, and this one was last seen heading toward Rhode Island waters. I've posted 4 photos on eBird (the reviewer will have to OK the ID before they become visible, so there will be some delay). May be a first for NYS if NYSARC approves. Not a bad day, messing about in boats. -- 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/[email protected]/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/ --
