Hi Tyler:

Just one question ... since your sighting was within the Chesapeake Bay 
bight it was probably relatively cool, but did you note the water 
temperature where this sighting occurred? If it was usually warm, this 
could be a supportive factor ...  although for a single bird, water 
temperature may not mean much at all.

A quick Googling shows that about 80 degrees F is the typical threshold for 
Band-rumpeds in SC, but NC has had them in 72 degree water, and even 70 
degrees off of New England. In Wilmington Canyon (DE/NJ) they have been 
found in 73 degree waters. So ... maybe this is all over the map 
(literally) and is of little value ... oh, well ...

Phil


At 10:43 07/14/2006, Bell, Tyler wrote:
>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

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Phil Davis      Davidsonville, Maryland     USA
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