UNH - R/V Gulf Challenger

02/04/2026

Buoy buddies back at it again.

11/21/2025

From Steve Mirick

Pelagic trip aboard the UNH research boat "Gulf Challenger" along with
scientists from Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution and UNH. Woods Hole
researchers were collecting copepods from deep water at Wilkinson's
Basin just east of Jeffrey's Ledge. UNH researcher was retrieving ocean
floor monitor.

We cruised directly over Jeffrey's Ledge out to Wilkinson's Basin (point
6) where we used a seine net to collect copepod samples. We then cruised
for a short while south along the outer edge of Jeffrey's Ledge where we
retrieved the ocean floor monitor.

The weather was fair, but the ride out was choppy and wet (not expected)
as the wind shifted into the NE and bow splash prevented surveys from
the bow. The ride back was much better as the wind and seas eased up a
bit. ENE winds 10 knots, seas 1 to 3 feet. Mount Washington was nicely
visible 115 miles to the NW!

Count of birds east of the Isles of Shoals only. Inshore birds not counted.

Common Eider 13 migrating south over Wilkinson's.
Black Scoter 4 migrating south over Wilkinson's.
duck sp. 8 migrating south (scoter or eiders)
Atlantic Puffin 2
Razorbill 10
Dovekie 39
large alcid sp. 3
alcid sp. 2
Black-legged Kittiwake 36 mostly over Jeffrey's Ledge in small groups.
Bonaparte's Gull 1
Ring-billed Gull 2. Uncommon in Jeffrey's Ledge basin area.
American Herring Gull 17
Great Black-backed Gull 13
loon sp. 3 migrating south
Northern Fulmar 34. Mostly light morph birds, but at least 3 dark morph.

Noteworthy comments for the day:

* A few pockets of birds spread out (mostly) around the areas traveled.
* The majority of Fulmar were on the outer (eastern) edge of Jeffrey's
Ledge.
* Newly arrived Dovekies and a single Puffin. Surprisingly zero Murres.
* No late lingering Great Shearwaters or jaegers seen.
* A couple of migrating loons and sea ducks.

Marine Mammals:

Humpback Whale - 2. Both crossing in front of the boat and fluking just
north of Old Scantum. Photos of the underside of one of the whales was
obtained and the whale has been identified as "Fenway" by Dianna Schulte
of the Blue Ocean Society for Marine Conservation.

Dolphin sp. - At least 3 on two separate observations. Quick, brief views.

10/17/2025

Ocean Discovery Day

01/06/2025

Chilly on the water...

12/25/2024

09/23/2024

Back in the water after some time at the boat spa getting a professional paint job. Ready to start the busy fall/winter season.

09/05/2024

07/31/2024

We've had some calm days!!

07/31/2024

Recent activities.

06/04/2024

Survey of birds encountered during a recent UNH research trip aboard UNH Research
Vessel Gulf Challenger. Only birds counted at CO2 buoy and out to
Wilkinson's Basin survey spot. Birds between the harbor and out to the
Isles of Shoals not counted. We headed directly out to the Jeffrey's
Ledge buoy where we stopped to take water samples (a change from normal)
and then proceeded to go out to Wilkinson's Basin. The after a long
time there we headed directly home.

Late May has historically been a hit or miss time of year for birds
offshore and today was no exception. Not a bad assortment with a few
new arrivals including the Wilson's Storm-Petrels and the Sooty
Shearwaters, but no Great Shearwaters or Phalaropes of any kind.
Lingering winter visitors included the Northern Fulmars, but no alcids
were seen for the day. Common Loons and 2 late Red-throated Loons were
noted migrating north over the Gulf of Maine.

Weather - Sunny and nice offshore. Sun glare a problem, but not much.
Winds light out of NW in morning. Shifting to S on the way in and
slight chop and spray.
Seas - Less than 2'.
Time - 9:20 AM to 3:30 PM
Count of birds encountered past Isles of Shoals only. Inshore birds and
birds near Isles of Shoals not counted. Decent weather allowed for count
from bow on outbound and return. eBird checklists submitted and eBird
trip list with documentation photos at this link:

https://nam12.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Febird.org%2Ftripreport%2F247054&data=05%7C02%7Cbryan.soares%40unh.edu%7C94db54b0d11041e400c808dc81cac49e%7Cd6241893512d46dc8d2bbe47e25f5666%7C0%7C0%7C638527955171410578%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=CeOacnTSiy87ednJN5pTv4NdeSVHSP85TUAyjsMIKnY%3D&reserved=0

Laughing Gull - 2. Somewhat unusual out at Wilkinson's Basin.
Herring Gull - 30
Great Black-backed Gull - 31
Common Tern - 44. Mostly concentrated near the vicinity of Mud Hole.
No doubt birds from the Isles of Shoals.
RED-THROATED LOON - 2 late migrating birds
Common Loon - 5 migrating
Wilson's Storm-Petrel - 22. Scattered small number.
NORTHERN FULMAR - 6. Lingering birds mostly out at outer edge of
Jeffrey's and beyond. Some came in to boat out at Wikinson's.
SOOTY SHEARWATER - 8. Scattered lone birds.
Northern Gannet - 1. Just one subadult near CO2 buoy.
Double-crested Cormorant - 9
swallow sp. - 1. At CO2 buoy. Flew directly away from the boat.

Marine Mammals - 0. Surprised not to see any whales or dolphins given
the good visibility.

Steve Mirick
Bradford, MA

03/21/2024