North Carolina Pelagics 5-2013

Pelagics out of Hatteras, NC

May 25-28, 2013

I had a great time during four days in May birding on the Atlantic Ocean. The pelagic trips with "Patteson Sea Birding" on Brian Patteson's Stormy Petrel II was a special experience. Shearwaters, Terns, Storm-Petrels and Petrels gracefully sliced and glided over the waves. A number of hardy souls from all over North America ventured out in search of common species, rare Gadfly Petrels and the always hoped for Tropicbird (They typically see 2-3 per season). Some birders went out for one day while others had signed up for 8 or more days. Most of the well known east coast and west coast pelagic experts were on board. Our days started early (roll call was at the boat at 5:15am) with the trips lasting 12 hrs.

For our portion of the trip, the seas ranged from rough the first day, (5-7 foot) to relatively benign by the 3rd and 4th days (2-3 foot). David Patick, Gary Rankin and I represented West Virginia. We had hoped for one lifer/ABA species during our outings but the birding Gods were with us on these trips. David and I saw three lifer/ABA species and Gary picked up one lifer during the two trips he took. The boat left each morning from Hatteras, NC which is approximately a 7 hr drive from the WV eastern panhandle. We made some new friends and even ran into some birders we had met before on previous chases/birding trips.

Below are some of the better images I was able to capture from the boat. If you think bird photography is tough on land you should try it from a boat in the ocean where you, the boat, and the birds are all moving.

Great Shearwater