Still Space On Upcoming Pelagic Trips

[Brian <patteson1@mindspring.com>]

Dear Carolinabirders,

I wanted to let folks know that we still have space on three pelagic
trips in February. Two of these are from Hatteras- Feb. 3(4) and Feb.
17(18). The other trip is from Virginia Beach on Feb. 10(11).  As in the
past, these are Saturday trips with Sunday weather dates.  While we
haven't run any trips yet this winter, the conditions look favorable for
some good trips from Hatteras as there is a broad band of cold water
extending south as far as Diamond Shoals.  This means that we might not
have to run very far north to see the birds that we are after.  In the
past, these trips have been good for finding fulmar, Manx Shearwater,
Red Phalarope, Great Skua, kittiwake, Razorbill, and a variety of gulls.
Other species that we have encountered on trips from Hatteras in
February include Greater, Sooty, and Audubon's Shearwaters, Black-capped
Petrel, Bridled Tern, Dovekie, and- last year- Yellow-nosed Albatross.
We have sometimes seen as many as nine species of gulls on these trips,
and so far this winter I have seen 12 species of gulls at Cape Point,
which is a roosting area for many of the gulls that feed in the waters
that we'll be birding on.  At present there are thousands of Bonaparte's
Gulls around, so the chances for Little Gull should be excellent. Of
course, we will be chumming for gulls and gannets to help lure in some
of our target pelagic species like fulmar and Great Skua.

To find out more about these trips, please give me a call at (252)
986-1363 or visit our web site at http://www.patteson.com/, where you
can peruse an archive of trip lists and view images of birds
photographed on our trips.  Our trip next weekend from Hatteras will be
on the on anniversary of last year's albatross sighting, and the trip
there on Feb. 17(18) takes place over President's Day Weekend. I hope
that some of you can find the time to take part in these exciting trips.

Brian Patteson
Hatteras, NC
Brian@Patteson.com