Argentia Ferry to North Sydney Sunday September 5
lagopus
right after Earl went through would turn up a host of goodies.
Unfortunately, along with the landlubbers who went out, I saw very
little. Perhaps it was the swell, which was, to be kind, large. This
kept me on deck for 10 hours solid. looking at the ocean and the
horizon in a valiant attempt to keep whatever was in my stomach where
it was. Adding any additional contents was out of the question. This
was the most successful part of the most turbulent crossing I have
ever experienced.
If anything the storm seems to have had the opposite result as numbers
were way down over normal crossings. That said, I usually do the
crossing in June so the absence of any Storm-Petrels may not be a
surprise? However I did not see any Sooty or Manx Shearwaters and not
even one gull.
I had to quit out of fatigue before we reached the Cabot Strait so
doubtless I missed something but by that time it was getting late in
the day and I was in no mood to look or to care.
The few highlights were as follows:
Northern Fulmar (3)
Greater Shearwater (5)
Gannets (hundreds esp at the mouth of Pacentia Bay) but generally
widespread, by far the most abundant seabird
Phalarope species: presumably reds, widespread, about 30 in total, in
at least 6 small parties along the south coast esp in the area that
someone on board called of the "St. Pierre Bank"
I will miss the great fall birding on the south coast. Alas there is
always next year.
Best wishes and good luck to all!
Jeff