Join NH Audubon aboard MV Granite State as we explore Jeffreys Ledge, 20 miles off the New Hampshire coast. This is an all-day expedition (between 8-10 hours at sea), departing from Rye Harbor, to look for pelagic (ocean-going) seabirds on Jeffreys Ledge, although we’ll also keep an eye out for whales and other marine life. Jeffreys Ledge is an undersea ridge running northeast from near Rockport, Massachusetts to near Cape Elizabeth, Maine. Its steep sides produce upwellings of nutrient-rich waters that produce a lot of food for seabirds and marine life.
What we will see:
From the upper deck, a person with good binoculars can scan a circle of ocean a couple of miles across, with a good chance of seeing groups of birds quite some distance away. On past fall trips, we have seen four different species of Shearwater (Great, Sooty, Cory’s, and Manx), Northern Gannets, Red-necked Phalaropes in fall plumage, Wilson’s Storm-petrel, jaegers, an array of near-shore species, and random migrants. We’ve also seen several different species of whales and dolphins, including Fin, Minke, Right, and Humpback Whales, Harbor Porpoises, Atlantic White-Sided Dolphins, and once a rare Sperm Whale on the outer edge of Jeffreys Ledge.
Presenter:
Renowned birders and NH Audubon volunteers Steve and Jane Mirick will be our group leaders, with Captain Pete Reynolds driving the boat. NH Audubon volunteer and avid birder Jon Woolf will coordinate logistics.
Join Jon Woolf for the introductory webinar, Introduction to Pelagic Wildlife, on Friday, October 6th, 8pm-9pm (free for all attendees).
For mobility, sensory, behavioral, or other accessibility accommodations, please contact Massabesic Center Director Kimmie Whiteman.
Cost:
$80 for NH Audubon members
$100 for non-members (Join or renew your membership today! Not sure of your membership status? Email our member services department or call (603) 224-9909 x310.)
Registration Required.
NH Audubon’s ticket system utilizes PayPal to process payments. Users are not required to use PayPal to check out; a guest option is provided. PayPal is a trusted way to pay online.
Please note we have set a maximum of 50 people, to allow for comfortable spacing and an enjoyable bird-watching experience. These trips sell out quickly, and we do not run a waiting list.
This trip is weather-dependent. Final decisions on whether we can comfortably set sail will be made the day before. There are no rain dates. First priority for registration will be granted to participants from the previous tour’s weather cancellation, if applicable.
Confirmation letters, including the webinar Zoom link and information about what to bring and what to wear, will be sent to all participants after we sell out (typically in early September).
This fall, NH Audubon’s Seacoast Chapter will be running a second trip on 9/5/2023.
Photo: Corys Shearwater, Steve Mirick
