Birders:

Just an update on the winter pelagic trips to Jeffrey’s Ledge for alcids.  I will be using an open decked lobster boat this year to get out to the ledge.  This is the same boat I used to get out to Star Island last fall, much faster than the UNH Gulf Challenger or the Uncle Oscar, and should allow roughly five hours on the ledge, compared to the 1-2 hours that I was able to get with the UNH Gulf Challenger.  Thus I anticipate that we will be able to visit areas of the ledge not previously visited, and which I suspect are productive. Consequently, the chances of success for species including Atlantic Puffin, Dovekie, both murres, and even Great Skua are increased.

Because I will only be running the trips in seas of 2 feet or less, likely there will be only a couple of trips this winter, given the rarity of calm weather during winter.  Viewing conditions should be excellent and reasonably pleasant under such conditions.

The cost will be $120pp, and I will need a full boat in order to be able to run the trips.  I should be able to make the call by Thursday night for Saturday or Sunday (I will run them on weekends only), but captains word is final for all trips.  Stay tuned.