#ABArare - Herald Petrel & White-faced Storm-Petrel - Maryland - UPDATE

There have been pelagic trips that I've been on that have made me sick. Then there have been pelagic trips that I haven't been on that still have made me sick. See Life Paulagics most recent trip out of Lewes, DE is one of the latter. This 16-hour trip, Aug 24-25, into both Delaware and Maryland waters turned up some incredible birds such as Herald Petrel (Code 3; UPDATE: a previous version of this post said it was Maryland's first, but it turns out seven Herald Petrels were seen from a NOAA research cruise at a point where Maryland was the nearest point of land), White-faced Storm-Petrel (Code 3; in MD waters) as well as the three expected storm-petrels (Wilson's, Leach's, and Band-rumped), 2+ Black-capped Petrels (Code 2, but only the 3rd or 4th record for MD), and Bridled Tern and Long-tailed Jaeger in Delaware waters.

The Herald Petrel, found in the Gulf Stream off of North Carolina with some regularity and also known as Trindade Petrel, was found flying within 100 feet of the boat at first light on Aug 25. It stayed in the slick for over an hour.

Herald Petrel. Photos by Sam Galick

Not only did the trip find some great birds, it looks like they were very cooperative for photography.

White-faced Storm-Petrel. Photo by Sam Galick

Birds weren't the only thing to look at. At least two Cuvier's beaked whales and 40 spotted dophins were seen as well.

So to all those on the trip, I along with others say congratulations...while quietly grumbling under our breath about not being on the trip ourselves.