Quoddy Link Birds

Sept. 30th - Pelagic trip.

Wow! What a trip! Thanks to everyone who came out, I certainly feel like the trip was a big success and we were so fortunate that the weather held off as long as it did. I was on the water after the trip and the conditions deteriorated very quickly once we got off the water.

The highlight of the trip was an adult SABINE'S GULL in winter plumage that we spotted very quickly after entering the Head Harbour area. Here are some shots of the bird...

Sabine's gull, winter plummage

Sabine's gull, winter plummage

The bird took flight after we first spotted it, but did not go far before settling back onto the water, after which we were able to make a close approach for good looks by all. The bird then took flight and was not seen again.

Other birds spotted include;

Sooty shearwater
Great shearwater
Manx shearwater
Leach's storm petrel
Pomarine jaeger
Parasitic jaeger
Black guillemot
Razorbill
Atlantic puffin
Northern gannet
Surf scoter
Black scoter
White-winged scoter
Common eider
Common loon
Red-throated loon
Black-legged kittiwake
Bonaparte's gull
Great cormorant
Peregrine falcon
Bald eagle

Thanks again to everyone that put faith in the weather (and the crew) and came out with us this morning. I hope that these trips become an annual event, preferably with a few each season! The area really does contain some spectacular bird life and I was very happy to be able to share it with you all.

Cheers,
Nick