Subject: South Padre Island Pelagic Trip Report, July 25, 2009
Date: Sun, 26 Jul 2009 15:28:57 -0400
From: Mary Gustafson
The first South Padre Island pelagic of the summer was a success! Our first signs of pelagic life
was a pod of Atlantic Spotted Dolphins that came in to bow-ride. We stopped by two shrimp boats
on the way out and enjoyed good views of two Magnificent Frigatebirds, hosts of Royal and
Sandwich Terns, and Bottlenose Dolphin. Most of the morning involved brief frustrating
looks at distant birds including a brief appearance by Cory’s Shearwater and Band-rumped
Storm-Petrel, and a Bridled Tern on a board that immediately decided to head for the horizon.
The afternoon started off with prolonged looks at Band-rumped Storm-Petrels that came in to
check out the fish oil we were dripping behind the boat. This was a great show, and the photos
should be amazing! The oil serves as a scent lure for tubenoses like the Band-rumped Storm-Petrel,
attracting these birds to the boat. Two nearby Cory’s Shearwaters put on a good show, both sitting
on the water and in flight. Another pod of Atlantic Spotted Dolphins showed off their aerial skills
leaping into the air and surfing at the bow and stern.
The avian highlight of the day came in the form of a Leach’s Storm-Petrel that we flushed off the water.
Initially giving brief but tantalizing views, we circled the boat and relocated the bird and were able
to study and photograph the Leach’s over several minutes. The longer wings, more erratic flight,
divided and ‘muddier’ rump, and forked tail were all seen in the field and documented in photographs.
The captain did a great job following this small bird, and Eric had the oil drip running just in
case or we would have been left with a ‘possible’ instead of a definite and photo-documented bird.
We scanned through flocks and flocks of Black Terns back at the inlet, and were escorted back to
the dock by Scarlet Colley and her dolphin friends.
Sea conditions were reasonable all day. The sun was intense, and the spray was moderate. It was
great fun to be back on the deep salt water. At our most distant point we were 52 miles offshore.
Thanks to the South Padre Island World Birding Center for organizing an excellent trip, the leaders
for their hard work, and the participants for making it all possible! The next trips are August 29
and September 19. Register soon so you don’t miss out!
For more information see http://www.texaspelagics.com. Another trip will be November 19.
Mary Gustafson
Mission, Texas
SEA BIRD LIST:
OCEANOGRAPHIC CONDITIONS:
PELAGIC CRUISE COURSE GPS Waypoints courtesy of Tony Frank
Click on the waypoints to see approximate times and sightings
