Hi Folks!

On Sunday, 5/24/09, Ed Boyd, John Hubbell and I took a "Porr Man's Pelagic" out of Ocean City. For those not familiar with the term, a "Poor Man's Pelagic" is a ride on one of the half-day fishing boats. Birders pay the same fee as those planning to do fishing. The boat typically goes 9-15 miles offshore and then anchors because these are typically for bottom-fishing. They are also for "Poor Man" because the fee is generally about $45 and nowhere near the $145 & that a "real" pelagic trip costs. 

We rode on the Judith M. out of the Bahia Marina near 22nd Street, leaving the dock about 8 AM, past the island side of Skimmer Island, through the Inlet and eventually about 11 miles offshore. It was a very nice day for sailing. The wind was south at about 10 mph. and the swells were gentle. Although we were hoping for shearwaters, we had none.....the only true pelagic was a single LEACH's STORM-PETREL seen while boat was anchored? at 38.09.430, 74.57.610 as it flew towards boat near wake and then parallel to boat about 100 yards away in excellent light.

Here is the full list
Number of species:???? 10

Common Loon? 6
LEACH's STORM-PETREL 1
Northern Gannet 11 [all young birds]
Laughing Gull 2
Herring Gull (American) 2
Lesser Black-backed Gull 1 [first-summer plumage]
Great Black-backed Gull 1
Common Tern 1
Royal Tern 3
Barn Swallow 2

This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org)

Good Birding!

Jim

Jim Stasz
North Beach MD