Recent USA and North American Trips 6/1/23 to 6/9/23

6/8 and 6/9/23 Hatteras, NC – Pelagic Trips with Brian Patterson (A BIG thanks to Brian and Kate and the other spotters!!): It was a wonderful trip! Great Shearwater , Black-capped Petrel , Common Tern , Cory’s Shearwater , and only one pic of a called Scopoli’s Shearwater in the last row showing the underwing.

6/8 and 6/9/23 Hatteras, NC – Pelagic Trips with Brian Patterson (A BIG thanks to Brian and Kate and the other spotters!!): An infrequent visitor to our shores is the Band-rumped Storm-Petrel. We found them difficult to distinguish from the numerous Wilson’s Storm Petrel (see last image – WISP high, BRSP low) but did note the longer pointed wings (WISP has rounded butterfly wings), flight pattern is “Shearwaterish” (versus WISP butterfly dip with feet down), their feet do not project past tail (like the WISP in flybys), and they actually LAND on the water. Also: Audubon Shearwater were seen in the distance.

6/8 and 6/9/23 Hatteras, NC – Pelagic Trips with Brian Patterson (A BIG thanks to Brian and Kate and the other spotters!!): The stars of the show were the sweet Wilson’s Storm Petrel flocks we were able to watch. So much fun and to just watch the waves!

6/6 and 6/7/23 Harris Neck NWR, GA and other stops along the way to the outer banks, NC : Black-crowned Night-Heron , Great Egret , Northern Parula (m), Painted Bunting (m) , Red-bellied Woodpecker (juv. still being fed by ad.), ruby-throated Hummingbird (f), Tufted Titmouse , and White Ibis. Then in Greenville, NC : Carolina Wren , Great Crested Flycatcher , Double-crested Cormorant , and Prothonotary Warbler (m). At Outer Banks, NC: nesting Least Tern .

6/4/23 T.M.Goodwin WMA, FL: A Large-billed Tern was reported and we were so fortunate to be able to see it. (last seen in the USA in the 1980’s?) Be advised that the area can be partially closed depending on your day of visit, leading to a difference of .5miles, 2.5 miles, or 5-7 mile hike/bike trip from parking area. CHECK first! It was exciting to see! Also: Roseate Spoonbill (adult feeding juv. and a bath was had!), White ibis with young, Black Skimmer Flock in flight, Black-bellied Whistling-Duck , Black-necked Stilt , White-rumped Sandpiper , and American White Pelican .

6/2/23 Okefenokee NWR, GA: A Great Day! Bachman’s Sparrow , Barred Owl , Brown Thrasher pair bringing in food, a Pileated Woodpecker family stopped by and gave us some fun looks, and we had a brief Red-cockaded Woodpecker ‘hello’. A Red-headed Woodpecker pair had a nest hole and were bringing goodies for their young (which could not be seen as yet). Also: Eastern Kingbird and Great Crested Flycatcher .