2010 VIRGINIA BEACH PELAGIC TRIPS

2010 Rates and Information

*Price $175 per person per day OR $335 for both Friday & Saturday (Sunday is a weather date each weekend)

Virginia Beach is actually the first place I organized and led pelagic trips- back in the late 1980's.  The last time we ran trips off the Virginia Capes was 2006, and it  was the first year we operated our own vessel, then the Stormy Petrel.  A trip to the shelf break here is more of an undertaking than a trip off Cape Hatteras, as we must run an additional 40 miles to reach it.  Our departure point, however, is far more convenient than the Outer Banks to most folks, so we offer these for people who can not schedule an Outer Banks trip,  who would like to add new birds to their Virginia list, or who would just like to see what's out there.  Mid to late September has traditionally been the best time to see the some of the largest numbers and best variety of seabirds off the mid-Atlantic Coast. 

Cory's Shearwaters can be numerous some years in late summer and early fall, and when this occurs, it is also a good situation for finding Greater, Audubon's and sometimes even Manx Shearwaters.  Bridled Terns can be common some years if Sargasso Weed is present and their prerequisite perches can be found.  This is also peak time for migrating Long-tailed Jaegers and Sabine's Gulls.  The latter is rarely seen, but their is no better time to look.  White-faced Storm-Petrels have also been seen on a couple of our previous September trips, and the chances of seeing this species is much better than off Hatteras, where the water is apparently too warm and swift to suit their needs.  On the other hand, we do not expect to see Black-capped Petrel- a regular Hatteras species.  Nevertheless, September is the only time to date when we have found Fea's Petrel or Trindade Petrel off the Virginia coast (one record for each in the 1990's.)  Other species seen on past September trips here  include Wilson's Storm-Petrel, Red and Red-necked Phalaropes, Pomarine and Parasitic Jaegers, South Polar Skua, and Sooty Tern.  There is also a good chance to see a variety of other marine life including Short-finned Pilot Whales and Sperm Whales, White Marlin, and maybe even a Leatherback Turtle.  Past sightings on our Va. Beach trips have even included Swordfish and the endangered Northern Right Whale!

Whether you are new to pelagic birding or an old salt, these trips are an adventure with lots of possibilities.