A southerly, and rather confiding, Common Murre was one of the unexpected highlights of the Zeiss Pelagic.

On June 2^nd, we ran our now-annual spring mini-pelagic with our partners Cap’n Fish’s Cruises out of Boothbay Harbor. But this wasn’t any old pelagic. Instead, it was not only a way to poke your feet into the proverbial and literal pelagic birding waters, but this was also a chance to try out a new pair of Zeiss optics. And all for a very, very special price.

Thanks to our store’s partnership with Zeiss Optics, our biannual “Zeiss Day” occurred offshore this spring. With Zeiss’s sponsorship, we were able to offer this unique trip at a special price, with extra spotters to help people see birds, and of course, with chumming.

And the weather could not be any better! In fact, we were all excited to head offshore to beat the heat on this day. Barely a puff of breeze resulted in remarkably calm seas, with the only waves caused by our boat. Thanks to the weather gods for this day offshore!

Evan Obercian, Dan Nickerson, and Jeannette helped spot birds, Noah Gibb handled the checklists, and Robby Lambert – chummer emeritus – stood at the ready as the boat’s naturalist, Kelsey, and I scanned from the wheelhouse. Our captain was amazing, and together we laid out a plan for the day. Throughout the day, Rich and Bill from Zeiss handed out binoculars to try and lots of optical questions were answered. It was a great way to test-drive a new pair of excellent binoculars, especially noting how important size and weight is when trying to hold binoculars steady on the open ocean, even without much in the way of waves.

Robby at his office.

Motoring out of Boothbay Harbor and across Muscongus Bay, we familiarized ourselves with the common denizens of Maine’s summer coast, such as Common Eiders, Black Guillemots, Common Terns, and Ospreys. Kelsey pointed out landmarks and gave a little history of the area.

Our first destination was Eastern Egg Rock, home to a thriving seabird colony thanks to the restoration efforts of Project Puffin. Leading pelagic trips in June is easy when at least some of our target birds are guaranteed!

The amazingly calm conditions and unusually warmth worked in our favor, as many of the island’s Atlantic Puffins and Black Guillemots were in the water instead of loafing on the rocks, allowing us to drift closely to many of them. One of the island’s ephemeral Razorbills was spotted near the boat, giving us long and good looks as well.

Razorbill.

Of course there were the terns, and for a change, both Roseate and Arctic were easy to isolate for all to see. With the help of my spotters, and a cooperative pair of Roseates on an obvious rock, everyone saw each species well, as well as many hundreds of Common Terns of course.  And a thousand or so Laughing Gulls, too.

Arctic Tern.

Roseate Tern.

Laughing Gull

Common Eider.

Satisfied with our views of the island’s denizens, we turned offshore and followed the Arctic Terns to deeper waters. It wasn’t too long before we started seeing scattered Wilson’s Storm-Petrels, but we slammed on the breaks when I spotted a Common Murre on the water up ahead. Captain Steve was able to circle the bird for all to see and photograph before we continued on; the murre was most obliging.  It also made for the hoped-for 4-alcid day, which is always a challenge this far south.

The lack of swell allowed us to make good progress and afforded us the chance to check three offshore hotspots. A good number of Wilson’s Storm-Petrels and a few Northern Gannets were at Murray Hole, but we motored through it.

We laid down a mile-long chum slick at The Kettle, but only a few of the many Wilson’s Storm-Petrels came in to check it out. I think it was simply too calm today – the scent wasn’t drifting, and birds – especially any shearwaters out here – were just not taking flight to forage; it’s just too inefficient without any wind for them to bother. But a fly-by from a southbound Ruby-throated Hummingbird nearly 20 miles offshore was unexpected!

We continued to tally Wilson’s when we set up a second chum slick at Mistaken Ground, but once again, little was interested, and only a few Wilson’s and gannets were to be seen.

Despite our extended time with the charter, it was soon time to head back to port, but we kept our eyes peeled throughout the trip. On the way back, we had a flock of 12 Red-necked Phalaropes buzz by and eventually land on the water, but we were going too fast and behind schedule to be able to turn around in time. Later, we passed not one, but two Basking Sharks, which was a real treat.

Harbor Porpoise and Harbor Seals were seen now and again, but overall, the offshore waters were quite slow – especially with gulls. The few gulls around didn’t even seem interested in our popcorn and suet, either.

Robby contemplates the meaning of life…and chum.

Our tally of Wilson’s Storm-Petrels was decent enough, but sadly, this would be our only tubenose of the day. Northern Gannets were in low numbers, as if often the case in early June, and whatever shearwaters may have already arrived may simply have been sitting on the water somewhere waiting for a breeze. I also felt terrible that not everyone saw the phalaropes.

Nonetheless – thanks to a perfect visit at Eastern Egg Rock and a random Common Murre floating offshore – I would call the day a smashing success! And for $40, few complaints were audible. The weather helped, too.

Rich talks optics.

Thanks to Zeiss for making this idea of mine come to fruition, and thanks to Cap’n Fish’s for letting us charter the boat to make this all happen. And most importantly, thanks to everyone who signed up and helped us explore the Gulf of Maine at this woefully under-birded time of year. Every day is different offshore, and you never know what you will or will not see. Excitingly, I am pleased to announce that Rich said, “let’s do this again next year!”  Hope to see you aboard!

Here’s the complete trip list, from dock to offshore and back. Thanks to Noah for compiling this!

• Canada Goose: 13
• Mallard: 2
• Common Eider: 65
• Surf Scoter: 1
• Rock Pigeon: 3
• Ruby-throated Hummingbird: 1
• RED-NECKED PHALAROPE: 12
• Spotted Sandpiper; 3
• COMMON MURRE: 1
• RAZORBILL: 1
• Black Guillemot: 114
• Atlantic Puffin: 102
• Laughing Gull: 1025
• Ring-billed Gull: 2
• Herring Gull: 38
• Great Black-backed Gull: 11
• Roseate Tern: 20
• Common Tern: 504
• Arctic Tern: 63
• Common Loon: 8
• Wilson’s Storm-Petrel: 350-400
• Northern Gannet: 16
• Double-crested Cormorant: 70
• Osprey: 1
• Bald Eagle: 2
• Barn Swallow: 14
• European Starling: 2
• House Sparrow: 2
• House Finch: 1
• Savannah Sparrow: 2
• Song Sparrow: 1
• Yellow Warbler: 1