Yesterday afternoon I returned from a week-long research cruise out in the Atlantic along the shelf break. Unfortunately, none of our stations were in Maryland waters. Since we left out of Solomons we did pass through the lower portion of Maryland waters in the Chesapeake. Same on the return.
 
Anyway, when we left on 7/8 I noted 13 Wilson's Storm-Petrels in various location starting to the northeast of the Pt. No Point lighthouse. Interestingly, the numbers of WISPs dropped off significantly once we crossed into VA waters. Must be something about the junction of the Bay and the Potomac.
 
Yesterday on the way back north I rode in the pilot house and noted lat longs on each Storm-Petrel we encountered. There was one bird that looked like an Oceanodroma: slightly notched tail, no visible projection of feet beyond the tail, weak carpal bars, longer wings and stiff almost nighthawk-like wing beats, and wings held in a downward arc while gliding. This bird was only visible as it flew in front of the boat for perhaps 20-30 seconds. While in North Carolina and VA waters in depths of 100+ meters, I saw a couple others of these that were definitely Band-rumped Storm-Petrels. I'd expect them there but not in the Chesapeake absent a weather event. 
 
Has anyone ever seen Wilson's Storm-Petrels fitting this description? Regardless, I'll be writing up something for the MD/DC RC.
 
It's good to be back on terra firma! Walking on something that doesn't sway is still playing tricks on my brain.
 
Tyler Bell

California, MD