Date:         Wed, 20 Nov 2002 17:51:13 -0500
Reply-To:     Maryland Birds & Birding <MDOSPREY@HOME.EASE.LSOFT.COM>
Sender:       Maryland Birds & Birding <MDOSPREY@HOME.EASE.LSOFT.COM>
From:         Paul Guris <list-servers@PAULAGICS.COM>
Subject:      Nov 16 Lewes, DE Pelagic Results
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Well, the weather forecast looked horrible and many people were afraid we
wouldn't be able to go, but other than a wet ride out, the day was not too bad.
Winds were generally below 20 knots, the seas were 3'-5', and the rain held off
until we turned and headed back home.

Highlights of the trip were an extremely cooperative 1st winter Thayer's Gull, a
nice count of Greater Shearwaters, and several good Pomarine Jaegers including a
dark morph bird. The Thayer's was seen very well by all on board, and was kept
at the back of the boat with chum for an extended period of time. Photos were
taken and hopefully they'll turn out well.

For you state listers, the first Greater Shearwater and the first 3 Kittiwakes
were in DE waters. The first Lesser Black-backed was first found in DE waters
but we dragged it behind us well into MD. The Thayer's Gull was firmly in MD
waters as were all of the jaegers. If you are tracking numbers, it is difficult
to say which of the last 20 or so Greater Shearwaters seen on the way in were in
DE and which were in MD. Normally I'd expect my DE/MD split to be a bit better,
but my notebook ended up getting soaked putting a "damper" on my accuracy.

The official count is:

    16 Common Loon
     1 Red-throated Loon
    81 Greater Shearwater
   183 Northern Gannet
     3 Pomarine Jaeger
     2 Parasitic Jaeger
    40 Bonaparte's Gull
     1 Ring-billed Gull
     X Herring Gull
     1 Thayer's Gull
     2 Lesser Black-backed Gull
     X Great Black-backed Gull
     9 Black-legged Kittiwake
    27 Forster's Tern

In addition, more loons, gannets, gulls, and terns, as well as both Surf and
Black Scoter were seen while still within sight of land.

On behalf of Mary Gustafson who organized this trip, the other leaders, as well
as the Capt. and Mate, I'd like to thank everybody who participated. All or most
of this same group will be on more trips in the future, and our schedule is
available at the web site below. We hope to see you on future trips.

-Paul

Paul A. Guris
See Life Paulagics
P.O. Box 161
Green Lane, PA 18054
www.paulagics.com
215-234-6805
info@paulagics.com

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