Pelagic Trip, 24 June 2002

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Pelagic Trip (Tybee I., GA, Departure)
24 June 2002
Data provided by Bruce Dralle
Photos provided by Earl Horn and James F. Flynn Jr.
Text by James F. Flynn Jr.

Conditions	Seas 4 - 6 feet; rain AM, mostly - partly cloudy PM
No. of Species	6

White-tailed Tropicbird

White-tailed Tropicbird
(Earl Horn)

Wilson's Storm-Petrel
(James F. Flynn Jr.)

Greater Shearwater
(Earl Horn)

Cory's Shearwater
(James F. Flynn Jr.)

On Monday, 24 June, Russ Wigh organized a pelagic trip in Georgia waters using the _SCAT II_ out of Savannah. A low pressure system that had been soaking the Georgia coast for several days prior was not going to relinquish its control just for us, but that's the breaks. It showered, or at least sprinkled, for most of the morning, and we really didn't see much sun until the return trip. The seas were on the rough side, but had calmed considerably from the weekend. Easterly winds had scattered Sargassum all over the place, even into the tidal creeks. We normally rely on locating a line of Sargassum near the edge of the Gulf Stream for a shot at the pelagic terns. We never did actually locate a "weed line" and missed Bridled Tern altogether (although this may be due more to seasonal timing).

We observed 6 mostly pelagic species (not including Royal Tern, in other words), including an adult White-tailed Tropicbird, which I believe was a life bird for almost everyone on the trip. As is often the case for this species, it unassumingly approached the boat straight up the wake. The bird circled the boat several times and fearlessly investigated the ecstatic birders below it on the stern of the ship, even occasionally calling. We observed the bird for about 8 minutes before it disappeared. The location was approximately 74 mis. (64 nautical mis.) due east of St. Catherines I.

Cory's Shearwaters were widely distributed, and were often accompanied by Greater Shearwaters. Both species were frequently observed resting on the water.

All pelagic species observed on this trip were easily approachable, allowing for outstanding looks. There were several "large shearwater sps." observed, but their locations are not noted below.

SPECIAL NOTE: Photographing birds can be quite a challenge, but photographing birds on a ship in the rain on a rolling ocean gives new meaning to the word frustration. To illustrate this fact, please refer to the following photos:
When I snapped this photo, a Wilson's Storm-Petrel was full frame. Instead, you can barely even see its reflection (James F. Flynn Jr.)	Ever wonder what the water looks like while a Greater Shearwater is taking flight? Now you do. (James F. Flynn Jr.)

Species Summary

Cory's Shearwater        51
Greater Shearwater       18
Wilson's Storm-Petrel     6
White-tailed Tropicbird   1
Royal Tern               13
Sooty Tern               2

The table below shows the latitude and longitude of each sighting. The numbered circles on the map above correspond to the Map Location number of each sighting.

Species	Number	Latitude (deg min) N	Longitude (deg min) W	Map Location
Wilson's Storm-Petrel	1	32 00.13	80 47.20	1
Cory's Shearwater Royal Tern	4 1	31 51.56	80 33.40	2
Cory's Shearwater	3	31 50.00	80 30.59	3
Cory's Shearwater Greater Shearwater	2 2	31 48.92	80 29.07	4
Cory's Shearwater	1	31 48.65	80 28.49	5
Cory's Shearwater	2	31 48.52	80 28.15	6
Cory's Shearwater Greater Shearwater	2 3	31 46.89	80 26.48	7
Cory's Shearwater Greater Shearwater	6 1	31 47.70	80 25.94	8
Cory's Shearwater Greater Shearwater	5 2	31 47.89	80 22.64	9
Cory's Shearwater	2	31 47.80	80 21.83	10
Cory's Shearwater	1	31 47.78	80 20.46	11
Cory's Shearwater	1	31 48.12	80 18.80	12
Cory's Shearwater Greater Shearwater	4 2	31 48.78	80 16.93	13
Cory's Shearwater Greater Shearwater Royal Tern	6 5 12	31 48.93	80 16.19	14 (R7 Tower)
Cory's Shearwater Greater Shearwater	6 2	31 48.40	80 15.18	15
Cory's Shearwater Wilson's Storm-Petrel	1 1	31 42.80	79 58.33	16
Nothing (for future reference)		31 37.97	79 55.15	17 (R8 Tower)
Sooty Tern	1	31 37.60	79 54.61	18
Cory's Shearwater	1	31 37.49	79 54.31	19
White-tailed Tropicbird Wilson's Storm-Petrel	1 1	31 36.63	79 53.09	20
Sooty Tern	1	31 35.81	79 51.88	21
Wilson's Storm-Petrel	2	31 31.04	79 45.74	22
Cory's Shearwater Greater Shearwater	3 1	31 49.51	80 17.19	23
Cory's Shearwater	1	31 55.48	80 25.13	24
Wilson's Storm-Petrel	1	31 57.31	80 28.25	25

Return to Georgia Pelagic Trip Reports

reviewed 31 Dec 2002