Trip Date: June 2015 — From our Little Big Year
Florida Pelagic Birding Trips: A Day on the Gulf Stream
Pelagic trips offer a kind of birding you can’t find anywhere else, and we were thrilled to join a trip hosted by Michael Brothers of the Marine Science Center in Ponce Inlet. These trips push far beyond the coastline to the warm currents of the Gulf Stream, where seabirds, marine mammals, and ocean life gather in ways you can only witness miles from land. For our Little Big Year, a Florida pelagic was more than just another outing — it was a chance to chase species found nowhere else in the state and to experience the thrill of true open‑ocean birding.
A Magical Sunrise at Sea
Our trip began at 2:00 a.m. on a Saturday aboard the Pastime Princess. After watching American Pharaoh win the first Triple Crown since 1978, we drove three hours across the state. We arrived on the East Coast in time for dinner and a Tampa Bay Lightning playoff game. Despite the heat, humidity, and a few early arrivals still in party mode, we managed a couple hours of sleep in the car before boarding.
We set off on a calm night, and the slow rocking of the boat finally allowed us to catch a few winks. By first light, everyone was up and scanning the horizon. There’s something magical about watching the sunrise on the open ocean. As the sun came up, Cory’s Shearwaters and Sooty Terns glided just above the waves — the perfect start to the day.
Soon after, a pod of three Short‑finned Pilot Whales gave everyone a fantastic show and great photo opportunities.
Six Hours Offshore in the Gulf Stream
As we motored eastward for the next six hours, we saw many more Cory’s Shearwaters, along with seven Audubon’s and a couple of Great Shearwaters. We were also lucky to spot three species of storm‑petrels: Wilson’s, Band‑rumped, and Leach’s. Sharon even added a Black‑capped Petrel to her year and life lists. We traveled 103 miles from land before reaching the Gulf Stream, and then it was time to turn back.
The return trip to port was slower, but we added several Sooty, Royal, and Sandwich Terns. As we came within sight of land, a pod of Atlantic Spotted Dolphin raced toward the boat. A perfect end to an amazing day of pelagic birding. A special thanks to Michael Brothers for sharing his photos of the Sooty Tern, Wilson’s Storm‑Petrel, and Atlantic Spotted Dolphin with the group.
Back on Land — and Closer to Our Goal
The following Saturday, we were back on land and on the hunt for our next target bird. Following up on an eBird report, we drove to the Brooksville area and were ecstatic to find a Mississippi Kite, right where it was supposed to be. Success rates like this are only about 50%, so it was a huge win. We also picked up two more year birds: Carolina Chickadee and Tufted Titmouse.
After a day spent 100 miles offshore with shearwaters, storm‑petrels, whales, and dolphins, it felt almost surreal to be back on land chasing our next target bird. One weekend you’re scanning the Gulf Stream at sunrise, and the next you’re celebrating a perfectly placed Mississippi Kite in Brooksville. As of June 14th, our year list stands at 351 birds, leaving us with just 149 to go to reach our goal of 500.
Trip: Total Species: 38 • Year Birds: 11 • Life Birds: 6
2015: Year Birds: 351 • Life Birds: 31
Next up: Free Birds & Jail Birds in the Adirondacks
You must be logged in to post a comment.