Hatteras pelagic Aug 10

[VanEppsBirders@aol.com]

Carolinabirders,

I want to thank Brian Patteson for an excellent pelagic trip out of Hatteras on Saturday, Aug 10.  Someone else will have to report on Sunday as I had to drive back to Charlotte.  Waters were a bit choppy in the morning, but calmed down through most of the day.  Although the birds weren't as numerous as they are at times, we had excellent views of most every species seen.  Highlights were tropicbirds, Long-tailed Jaeger, and Herald Petrel. 

Two White-tailed Tropicbirds were seen, one juvenile and one gorgeous adult.  Each stayed around the boat for quite some time and gave everyone beautiful views.  We were also able to find several Band-rumped Storm-Petrels and one obliging Leach's Storm-Petrel.  On the way in, looking along a weed line for a Bridled Tern (which we never found), the bird of the day put on quite a show.  A Herald Petrel stayed near the boat for several minutes, again giving everyone stellar views.

All-in-all, a great day for me.  I picked up six lifers and the Herald Petrel was number 300 for NC.

Trip list (with my rough numbers - Brian will post his final count on his website and they could be quite different!):

Black-capped Petrel (65)
Herald Petrel (1)
Cory's Shearwater (150)
Audubon's Shearwater (75)
Greater Shearwater (10)
Wilson's Storm-Petrel (150)
Band-rumped Storm-Petrel (10)
Leach's Storm-Petrel (1)
White-tailed Tropicbird (2)
Long-tailed Jaeger (1)
Red-necked Phalarope (13)
Royal Tern (1)

Also: Pilot Whales, Bottlenosed Dolphin.

Plus the standard in-shore birds seen as we were leaving the sound.

Thanks again Brian,

Good birding,
Rob Van Epps
vaneppsnc@aol.com
Charlotte, NC