SOUTH PADRE ISLAND PELAGIC
September 06, 2008 Aboard the Osprey II
Subject: South Padre Island pelagic results 6 Sep 08
Date: Sun, 7 Sep 2008 04:26:20 GMT
From: Brad Mckinney
Good evening,
Like the July pelagic, this South Padre Island pelagic went down to wire.
With a forecast of mild seas just days after landfall of Hurricane Gustav
in the northern Gulf, the pelagic crew left the dock with high hopes. At
first light a distant Cory's Shearwater was spotted just a mile or two from
the jetties. Blue water was close in and flying fish were erupting in large
numbers. Things were looking good. Although we saw coastal terns (Black,
Royal, Sandwich, and Common) near a shrimp boat on the way out to the deepwater
curve, it was not until well past noon that we got our first good looks at a
shearwater, our only Audubon's Shearwater of the trip.
After returning to the relatively shallow waters of the continental shelf in
early afternoon, things finally started to pick up. After close up views of a
Bridled Tern at 1400, we made our way to three shrimp boats. The first two
shrimp boats held more Royal, Sandwich, and Common Terns. After circling the
last shrimp boat, a smallish jaeger was spotted bullying a Black Tern before
wheeling falcon-like in pursuit of other nearby terns. The Long-tailed Jaeger
allowed for close, extended views. Not satisfied with harassing birds its own
size, the jaeger boldly dive-bombed a much larger Masked Booby. It was kind of
like watching a feisty Chihuahua chasing a Great Dane.
Shortly thereafter, we had close views of five Bridled Terns, which are rarely
seen so close to shore (about 25 miles out). Just minutes before reaching the
jetties, we had excellent looks at a Cory's Shearwater of the Mediterranean race
(Scolopi's Shearwater), which shows more white in underwing than the Atlantic race.
(Although both races occur in the western Gulf of Mexico, it is believed that
Atlantic Cory's is more common). The shearwater was a nice way to end the day.
Thanks to Eric Carpenter who organized another great trip. Looking forward to
the November 9 pelagic organized by the Rio Grande Birding Festival in Harlingen
where there are still spaces available.
Brad McKinney Rancho Viejo
Seabird list for 6 Sep 08:
Cory's Shearwater (2)
Audubon's Shearwater (1)
Unidentified Shearwater (2)
Masked Booby (2)
Long-tailed Jaeger (1)
Bridled Tern (6)
Maybe three passerines in deepwater, including Louisiana Waterthrush.
