SOUTH PADRE ISLAND PELAGIC
November 09, 2008 Aboard the Osprey II
Subject:South Padre Island Pelagic results 9 Nov 08 Date: Mon, 10 Nov 2008 03:55:48 GMT
From: Brad McKinney
Good evening,
Texas pelagics in November can be a dicey proposition. With seas only dropping into the makeable
realm on Saturday afternoon, today's trip was a go. The pelagic
crew endured rough conditions but was treated to excellent looks
at Pomarine Jaegers. The highlight was an adult Pomarine Jaeger
complete with long twisted central tail feathers hovering at
point blank range. It is always cool observing jaegers harassing
Laughing Gulls. In all 13 jaegers were observed in a variety of
ages/plumages: nine Pomarine Jaegers, one probable Parasitic,
and three jaeger species. As expected, the jaegers were found
near shrimp boats on shelf waters from about 20-40 miles out.
Somewhat surprising was the smattering of
Franklin's Gulls (20) found throughout
the day in offshore waters. Also seen was an Audubon's
Shearwater in deepwater, about 50 miles out. Rounding out the
offshore list were a small flock of Red Knots and five
unidentified ducks (50 miles out). We were surprised to see a
Magnificent Frigatebird a mile out from the jetties coming in.
We saw numerous bottlenose dolphins as well as a small pod of
spotted dolphins during the day. Many thanks to Mary Gustafson
and the Rio Grande Birding Festival for organizing an excellent
pelagic.
Brad McKinney Rancho Viejo
