Hillstar Nature Pelagic: MD Waters aboard the Ocean Princess

11 Jan, 2025
eBird Trip Report
Guided by Zach Baer, Mollee Brown, Mikey Lutmerding & George Armistead

It was sort of like two days in one. For the first 4 hours of the day, we enjoyed pleasant seas and fabulous birding, with hundreds of alcids around. There were nice flocks of common loons on the water, a tremendous show of (mostly show-white adult) gannets, and big numbers of Dovekie and Razorbills. These sightings were punctuated with scarcer birds as well, including a pair of flyby common mirrors, regular visits from both first cycle and adult, black legged, kitty weeks, and a couple Atlantic puffins. We also enjoyed a nice visit from a pod of common dolphins. We had expected in the weather to change at about 2 PM, but that change came sooner than it was forecasted, and by 11 AM it felt as though we were in a washing machine. Winds from the west picked up as we turned back in shore, and things got wet and bumpy for most of the rest of the day. As we got close to shore, we again enjoyed slightly calmer waters with still, some numbers of Dovekie & Razorbills around, and the Inlet as always had a few nice birds, including a few Common Eiders. Thanks to all who joined, and to Captain Victor and Jeff for helping us get where we wanted to and to navigate some bumpy seas.