Birds at Sea

[AndyB]

another interesting link from Irish Birds Network of migrant birds aboard a ship in the Gulf of Mexico:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mikeegee/sets/72157594545876853/

[sue-o]

Wow, so many birds and such great photos! Poor little things, obviously some didn't make it. It's so upsetting to see them so exhausted.

We have had a few visitors join us on Peregrine during passages. I will never forget this one:

http://thetwitchingsailor.blogspot.com/search/label/Passages%3A%20Mediterranean%20Sea-migrating%20birds

[michael23]

thats an eye opening link, thanks andy
Sue, an amazing encounter by the look of things!
I have seen a goldcrest land on the scillonian 3 crossing to the isles of scilly during a bit of freak weather, and whilst on pelagics from there, seeing meadow pipts flying dangerously close to the see calling away.

[sue-o]

thats an eye opening link, thanks andy
Sue, an amazing encounter by the look of things!
I have seen a goldcrest land on the scillonian 3 crossing to the isles of scilly during a bit of freak weather, and whilst on pelagics from there, seeing meadow pipts flying dangerously close to the see calling away.
We really enjoyed Kato's company. I've never seen another Yellow Wagtail look like him.

[AndyB]

Yes, great story and photos Sue.

It is fascinating to bump into landbirds at sea. On pelagics off California, birders often bring some shrubs on board. You can be 100 miles offshore in the middle of nowhere and all of a sudden a warbler will drop out of nowhere to check you out and often land for a few minutes. A few November's ago, I woke up early from a cruise that had left Mexico and walked around the decks. The boat was at least 100 miles offshore and the variety of birds present around the boat all day was amazing and this wasn't even peak migration. The biggest surprise had to be this Burrowing Owl. I also had a Short-eared Owl in the afternoon to make it a 2 owl day and not a s.... of land in sight!

http://surfbirds.com/albums/data/367/burrowing1.jpg