New York pelagic birding
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Pelagic Birding in New York
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Pelagic Birding in New York
Pelagic Geographics
Although New York (i.e. Long Island) has an extensive coastline, New York is buffered by an extensive continental shelf of relatively shallow water which limits the number of pelagic species regularly found within sight of shore. Prior to the near-complete destruction of the fish stocks, seabirds seem to have been more abundant on the shelf, especially during the winter when exciting birds such as Great Skua scavanged around the processing ships.
Pelagic Birding Onshore
That being said, four species of shearwater and Wilson's Storm-petrel are regularly seen by Long Island birders during the summer particularly during weather disturbances. Good watch points are off the Fire Island Inlet, Shinnecock Inlet, Mecox/Sagapponnack shore and Montauk Point.
Jun 1999 records: Two weeks ago, during onshore winds and dense fog conditions, at least 2 Arctic Terns, several Manx Shearwaters, more than 10 Parastic Jaegers and 50-60 Wilson's Storm-petrels were logged by shore-based observers. Later during Hurricane Season, Sooty Tern, Bridled Tern, Long-tailed Jaeger and Audubon's Shearwater are sometimes recorded from these locations.
Pelagic Birding Inland
Pelagic birds are very rare inland in New York. During Hurricane Season, some pelagic birds may be blown inland, but conditions must be near ideal. To drive pelagics birds inland, the hurricane must be strong (category 2 or greater - the stronger, the better for birds). Hurricanes weaken significantly when they hit land; thus, the closer to the ocean, the more pelagics birds (variety and quantity) are likely to be experienced. For inland birders in New York, one of the more ideal places for a hurricane to land is the outer banks of North Carolina (when a large variety of pelagic birders are feeding during hurricane season), where the hurricane drives directly inland and through the middle of New York state. (Unfortunately, these types of hurricanes are often the most destructive to humans along the coasts).
After the passing of a hurricane, pelagic birds are drawn to water - the larger the body of the water, the better the chances. The best spot to be often depends upon the path of the hurricane. Pelagic birds often drop out northeast of the passing of the hurricane's eye.
For a hurricane that passes over Cleveland, OH or Presque Isle, PA, pelagic birding may be best on Lake Erie. For a hurricane that passes between the Niagara River and Rochester, NY pelagic birding may be best on Lake Ontario at Hamlin Beach. For a hurricane that passes between the Rochester, NY and Syracuse, NY pelagic birding may be best on Lake Ontario at Derby Hill. For a hurricane that passes between the Syracuse, NY and Vermont pelagic birding may be best on Lake Champlain.
For example, in 1996 after Hurricane Fran, Lake Erie and Lake Ontario birders experienced many jaegers, Black-capped Petrels and Sooty Tern.
Pelagic Birding Offshore
Hudson Canyon
Block Canyon
At present there are few ideal opportunities for pelagic birding in New York waters. In recent years, John Askildsen (Bedford Audubon) organized a number of trips to the deep water canyons (Hudson or Block Canyons), but it was hard work to drum up enough enthusiasm to cover the significant cost of the boat. With recent rises in petroleum prices, the trend is expected to worsen.
Other opportunities might be to ride a whale watch or hitching a ride on a fishing trip - neither is likely to identify birds, chum, or linger for long looks or rare species.
The Viking Fleet whale watch (Tel: 516-668-5700) or hitching a ride on a fishing trip remain the only options for getting out to sea.
Armas Hill (Focus on Nature Tours) runs trips from Bielle, NJ to the Hudson Canyon. Unfortunately, it is a long slog over shallow water to the canyon wall, such that there are no guarantees of making it into New York waters!
Pelagic Birding Links
Details of the world's very best pelagic birding (North Carolina, California, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand etc), including many web links, can be found on Ocean Wanderers.
Details from a post sent to NYSBIRDS-L listserv on Sun, 27 Jun 1999 by Angus Wilson (wilsoa02@endeavor.med.nyu.edu)
