2003 Trip Reports April/May Archive Week ending 01 June 2003 - Trips this week were quite different from day to day - on our first trip of the week , we saw just one humpback whale! The next trip - a gorgeous, calm, warm day (our first "hat-free" trip!) - we observed somewhere around 150 Atlantic white-sided dolphins, 3 fin whales and a minke whale. Our final trip of the week included sightings of the humpback whale Trident, 3 minke whales, 2 harbor porpoise and about 10-12 Atlantic white-sided dolphins. Bird sightings remain strong, with the usual species (Gr. black-backed gulls, Herring gulls, and Double-crested cormorants), Northern Gannets, Common Loons, Wilson's storm-petrels and a few Sooty shearwaters. Week ending 25 May 2003 - Once again, the weather has been less than ideal, but good news on the whale-front! There have been several humpback whale sightings on Stellwagen Bank this past week. Individuals reported** include Chimney and calf, Pepper and calf, Rune, Bolide and a few others. There have been several fin whales sighted, as well. Bird sightings continue to be great with observations of Bonapartes gulls, Wilson’s storm-petrels, Common Loons, White-winged scoters, Common Eiders, many Northern Gannets (feeding), and the regulars such as Gr. black-backed gulls, Herring gulls, and Double-crested cormorants. Week ending 18 May 2003 – Due to poor weather conditions, we were only able to get out one time this week – but what a day! Gorgeous, calm seas and warm air temps! A most beautiful day on the ocean. Sightings inlcuded 5 very cooperative fin whales and four minke whales. Many bird sightings again, species observed were Bonapartes gulls, Wilson’s storm-petrels, Common Loons, White-winged scoters, Common Eiders, many Northern Gannets (feeding), and the regulars such as Gr. black-backed gulls, Herring gulls, & Double-crested cormorants. Week ending 11 May 2003 – The trips this week were quite varied, and quite nice. Sightings included four humpbacks, several fin whales, several minke whales a hundred or more Atlantic white-sided dolphins, and a few harbor porpoise! Much nicer sea conditions – but still very chilly out there. Bird sightings were also quite varied – we observed our first Wilson’s storm-petrels, more Common Loons, White-winged scoters, Common Eiders, many Northern Gannets (feeding), and the regulars such as Gr. black-backed gulls, Herring gulls, & Double-crested cormorants. Week ending 04 May 2003 - Much calmer and warmer, sightings included 2 fin whales and a group of approximately 15-20 very inquisitive Atlantic white-sided dolphins. Great bird sightings again included Gr. black-backed gulls, Herring gulls, Double-crested cormorants, Great egrets, Snowy egrets, Common Eiders, Northern Gannets and Common Loons. 27 April 2003 - Our first trip of the year, cold and quite rough. Despite less than perfect conditions, we recorded 4 humpback whales and 1 fin whale.Bird sightings were spectacular with many species observed including Gr. black-backed gulls, Herring gulls, Double-crested cormorants, Common Eiders, White-winged scoters, 2 dovekies, several N. Gannets and Common Loons.
**Sightings courtesy a network of researchers including: Jooke Robbins, Center for Coastal Studies, Provincetown, MA; Regina Asmutis, International Fund for Animal Welfare, Plymouth, MA; Katherine Gilmour, New England Aquarium, Boston, MA; Allison Glass, Whale Center for New England, Gloucester, MA; Cynde Bierman, Whale Conservation Institute, Gloucester, MA; Jen Hafner, Blue Ocean Society, Rye, NH and Lisa Foerster-Fox, Center for Oceanic Research and Education, Essex, MA. |