ML126792771
Contributor
Date
Location
- Age
- Not specified
- Sex
- Not specified
Media notes
2018-12-1 Ross' Gull off-shore New Hampshire, SW photo adj by SB
Observation details
Mega surprise ... darker underwings contrasted with lighter upper side; could see small dark bill; pink on underside could be seen in photos ... (consulted with Steve Mirick by text while still on the fishing boat). - Zeke Cornell Elaborating on Zeke's description ... We were aboard a fishing charter run by Eastman's out of Seabrook Harbor, NH, aboard their vessel the M/V Lady Merrilee III. The boat departed Seabrook Harbor at 7AM. We steamed 2-hours out to the fishing grounds on Jefferies Ledge. At the time of the sighting (12:05 PM) we were at anchor in NH waters birding from the upper-deck while approx. (40) people fished from the lower-deck for Pollack & Haddock. After the sighting I asked the Capt. directly if we were in NH waters and he said yes, and definitely not Massachusetts waters. The bird first appeared directly behind the boat. Michael spotted it first and made the comment that there was something very different flying close-in behind the boat. All 5 of us got on the bird immediately with binocs & cameras. What stuck-out immediately was the small size, the long pointed wings, the dark under-wing, the light gray upper-wing, the white head, and the obvious pinkish hue to the body. I kept commenting on the red on the body and was later corrected that it was actually pink. That, however, should serve as an indicator to the extent of the diagnostic pink present on this bird, which also can be seen in the photos. In addition, the photos clearly show the white trailing edges of the wings. It was originally seen flying low over the water as it passed behind the boat. It then circled up the side of the boat and headed due north. As it headed north it gained altitude and was no longer flying along the water. We watched it for some time until it was out of sight. - Steve Bennett
Technical information
- Dimensions
- 462 pixels x 278 pixels
- Original file size
- 39.86 KB