See Life Paulagics conducted another very successful pelagic trip into Maryland waters (leaving from Lewes, DE) on Saturday, December 8.  Despite the rain showers in the early morning, sea conditons were excellent, almost a glassy calm through the early afternoon.  This contributed greatly to our ablity to spot aclids on the water, of which we saw many.  We were delayed by the abundant birdlife in getting to Maryland waters (were we roamed from 1210 until 1455).

Final bird totals were as follows (I've included the DE numbers for the sake of completeness).

Northern Gannet - MD 4, DE 149, Total 153
Nothern Fulmar - MD 5, DE 2, Total 7
Manx Shearwater - MD 1, Total 1
Greater Shearwater - MD 1, Total 1
Common Loon - DE 39, Total 39
Red-throated Loon - DE 1, Total 1
Dovekie - MD 105, DE 251, Total 356. (many flocks closely approached by boat in calm seas)
Atlantic Puffin - MD 25, DE 30, Total 55 (all 1st year birds, amazing count!!)
Razorbill - DE 1, Total 1
Herring Gull - MD 64, DE 321, Total 385
Great Black-backed Gull - MD 3, DE 32, Total 35
Bonaparte's Gull - MD 2, DE 51, Total 53.
Little Gull - DE 1, Total 1
Black-legged Kittiwake - MD 5, DE 4, Total 9
Pomarine Jaeger - DE 1, Total 1
Red Phalarope - DE 7, Total 7
American Coot - DE 1, Total 1 (on water far at sea!)
Wood Duck - DE 3, Total 3 (migrants out over ocean)

Good sailing!
Mark Hoffman