Remember that we piggy-back our HAS trip on the NECWA boat 1) because it is one of the best 8-10 hour pelagic trips around Cape Cod waters, 2) because it deserves our support, and 3) so that birders' are represented by a formal group (HAS) and birders interests & priorities carry equal weight with those of whale watchers, etc. (this is a multi-purpose trip which includes as many whale watchers as bird watchers).
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Hello: I wanted to provide some additional updates on our upcoming Seabird & Whale Tales Excursion. Please call me if you have any questions or concerns about this upcoming fundraising event for NECWA.
Thanks, Krill
krillcarson@mac.com
cell: 508-566-0009
Date: Sunday, Sept. 13, 2015
Time: 8:30 am to 6 pm
Boarding Time: 8:00 am
Boat Location: Boats leaves from the Mayflower II State Pier [77 Water Street, Plymouth MA 02360]
Freebees: free continental breakfast
This trip is a GO and we are looking forward to another exciting day out on the water viewing seabirds, whales, seals, and other marine wildlife. Guest naturalists will be Wayne Petersen, David Clapp, Jim Sweeney, Mason Weinrich, and Krill Carson.
There are a few changes to the trip's start time, end time, and itinerary that I wanted to inform you about.
Start Time: We were able to get the boat company to agree to an earlier start time of 8:30 am. We are pushing hard to get an early start time so I am sorry for any confusion created. Please be down at the boat which is docked at the end of the State Pier by 8 am for boarding. We hope to leave the dock by 8:30 am sharp.
End Time: We are going to be flexible on our end time. We are scheduled to come back to the dock by 5 pm, but we could stay out until 6 pm if needed.
Itinerary: Once we leave Plymouth Harbor, we will head across Cape Cod Bay to Provincetown Harbor. The boat company had a previously arranged charter of pedal bikers who need to get dropped off in P'town that morning. Once we drop them off, they will spend the day pedaling back to Plymouth. It should take us close to 1 hr and 45 min. to steam across Cape Cod Bay and then we dock in Provincetown for only as long as it will take us to get the bikes and the bikers off the boat. While we are traveling across Cape Cod Bay, we will be looking for and commenting on the marine wildlife seen from the boat, but we won't have time to stop and watch them.
To compensate folks for this inconvenience, NECWA will be providing a free Continental Breakfast for all passengers that will include muffins, donuts, bagels, fruit, as well as juice and coffee. And as we cross the bay, we will conduct our free, onboard nature raffle so get ready for lots of fun as we raffle off nature-themed items like t-shirts, field guides and other paraphernalia.
I want to apologize for having to spend the first 2 hours of our trip crossing Cape Cod Bay and docking in P'town. I am sorry for this inconvenience, but I had no choice in the matter and am doing everything in my power to make this up to our passengers. The bike group chartered the boat in advance so they have first dibs on the morning route. But they did agree to leave the dock a bit earlier then what they were scheduled for, so again, be down at the dock by 8:00 am for an 8:30 am sailing.
Once we leave the bikers at P'town, the boat is ours for the rest of the day. We will be traveling along the outside of the Cape, passing Long Point Light, Wood End Light, and then Race Point Light as we head as far south as Highland Light. From there, we will turn back north and east and head offshore to the southern edge of Stellwagen Bank.
Over the past few weeks, we have had an explosion of sand lance in our southern waters that has attracted many unusual species of seabirds and other marine animals. So although we won't be able to head to Chatham on this trip, but instead will be staying closer to home, we will be in areas that have been very productive with regards to sightings.
Best to all and thank you for your understanding and patience in this matter. This trip is an important fundraising event for NECWA, but it is also a time to connect with friends offshore as well as wildlife. I work hard to put together productive and fun trips, and I greatly appreciate your continued commitment to NECWA and the work that we do on behalf of marine wildlife in our New England Waters.
Again, please contact me you have any additional questions or concerns.
Best to all, Krill
Sincerely,
Krill Carson
New England Coastal Wildlife Alliance (NECWA)
krillcarson@mac.com
508-566-0009
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