SPECIAL ANNOUCMENT: OCEAN CITY MARYLAND PELAGIC TRIP - March 19th (20th weater day), 2011 



WHY:  Winter 2010-11 has seen unprecedented numbers of large alcids (Razorbills, and especially Common Murres) off the mid-Atlantic coast.   

A February 26 pelagic to waters off Ocean City recorded a state record high counts for both Razorbill (99) and Common Murres (14, previous high 4) See photos at www.pbase.com/wcbirding .  We will try for them again on March 19th - let's hope the weather and seas are half as good as on the 26th.  The target area will be the "razorbill-murre zone", about 20-30 miles offshore.  



WHAT:  Nearshore (20-30 miles offshore) pelagic in Maryland ONLY waters, on the 55’ Morning Star, with Captain Monty Hawkins, veteran captain of pelagics off Maryland .   He puts us on the birds. 



WHEN:  Saturday, March 19, 2011 .  11-hour trip.  Leave 6 am , return 5 pm .    Be at dock by 5:30 am .   March 20th is a MANDATORY  weather date if we get blown out; you will be CHARGED if we go on the 20th, even if you can't make it. WHEN:  Saturday, March 19, 2011 .  11-hour trip.  Leave 6 am , return 5 pm .    Be at dock by 5:30 am .   March 20th is a MANDATORY  weather date if we get blown out; you will be CHARGED if we go on the 20th, even if you can't make it. 



COST :  $120 per person (payable to Morning Star) plus $15 to Mark Hoffman for mate tip and chum (payable by cash or check day of to Mark Hoffman ).  Max head count 21. 





HOW:  Phone Morning Star reservation desk at 410-520-2076 with credit card info; you will also need to provide cell phone number to Morning Star reservation desk so you can be contacted in case we know Friday the trip is a no-go for Saturday.   I will set up an email list also once I verify participant list with Morning Star reservation desk. 



WHERE: Morningstar is docked at the West Ocean City Fishing Center .  Turn right at last light before bridge into Ocean City . At the T-intersection turn left, and then make a quick right into the parking lot.  The boat is straight ahead, but somewhat hidden by all the boats pulled out during the winter.  The Morning Star is by the Travel Lift, Dock B, Slip 2.   The GPS address is “13001 Inlet Isle Lane, Ocean City, MD, 21842”. 





Good (sea) birding, 

Mark Hoffman

############################

To unsubscribe from the MDOSPREY list:
write to: mailto:[log in to unmask]
or click the following link:
http://home.ease.lsoft.com/scripts/wa.exe?SUBED1=MDOSPREY&A=1