- Our weather offshore was a bit overcast with fog in the morning and periods of light to moderate rain in the afternoon. Winds were out of the north, northwest at 3-9 mph early, then west, northwest at 6-13 mph. For the birders onboard, highlights were two Sabine's gulls (adult and juvenile), five Northern fulmars, and five pomarine jaegers.
Capt. Jay |
Many of these humpback whales in this area, Hancock, Crisscross, Rocker, Bandit, and our beloved Salt with her 14th calf Sriracha, were intent on their feeding and gave us quite a show. The Humpbacks treated us with bubble net feeding, breaches and displayed their unique flukes under ever improving light conditions. However, there was more than one star of the show.
Humpbacks bubble feeding |
Video of Humpbacks feeding
Not long after our departure from Gloucester we encountered 4-5 Harbor Porpoises and soon a Minke and Finback whale with the brief presence of an Ocean Sunfish! Throughout the day scientists, volunteers and interns from NECWA, Mass Audubon, and the Stellwagon Bank National Marine Sanctuary kept the ship entertained with commentary on animal behaviors, witty jokes, a free nature-themed raffle, and pre-Halloween treats.
Michael coiling the plankton net |
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Salps (clear, globular animals) and copepods (smaller reddish creatures) |
Despite an unsuccessful chumming attempt to attract our favorite sea faring birds, we did see large numbers of shearwaters, including great shearwaters, Cory's shearwater, sooty shearwaters, manx shearwaters, as all as Northern gannets and jaegers who kept pace with our vessel and often with the feeding whales.
Our fearless companions |

Thank you to Krill Carson for organizing this trip and to our captain, participants, and scientists!
Also to go Thomas Robben's blog that reviews the trip by clicking HERE:
Most updated species List is below:
- Seabirds and Sea Ducks: Marine Mammals: Humpback Whales:
- 40 common eider 3-5 Harbor Porpoise Salt and calf (Sriracha)
- 1 white-winged scoter 1 Fin Whale Crisscross
- 3 common loon 1 Minke Whale Rocker
- 5 Norther fulmar 12-15 Humpback Whales Bandit
- 1200 Cory's shearwater Whirlygig
- 400 great shearwater Hancock
- 15 sooty shearwater Cateyes
- 164 Northern gannets Pharos
- 5 pomarine jaeger
- 60 black-legged kittiwake