Cost: $100 per person for BBC members/$120 per person for nonmembers (payment link will appear after you submit this form).
**IMPORTANT: EACH PERSON IN YOUR PARTY MUST SUBMIT THIS REGISTRATION FORM SEPARATELY**
***If you registered for the 11/18 trip and asked us to carry over your registration please DO NOT fill out this form. Your spot is already reserved.***
When/where: Saturday, December 2, 2023 pelagic trip on the Helen H leaves from Hyannis, Massachusetts at 7:00 a.m. We plan to return to Hyannis around 4:00 p.m.
Cancellations: Due to weather conditions, the captain of the Helen H sometimes cancels the trip if the sea conditions are too rough. We will keep you informed as soon as we know about the status of the trip. The captain will typically make a decision about weather once the marine forecast becomes available – Tuesday/Wednesday before the trip, but it can be cancelled even later than that.
If you can’t make the trip, please let us know. If there is someone on the waiting list who can take your place, we can issue you a refund, but otherwise you will be charged.
What should I bring: Since the weather varies greatly from trip to trip, bring an assortment of rain and warm clothes; sunglasses, sunscreen, and hat; water and snacks; anti-nausea pills; and cameras and binoculars.
The boat: The Helen H, a 100 foot aluminum deep sea fishing boat powered by a fast 2700 Horsepower engine, is a Coast Guard approved deep sea fishing boat. The cabin has several fixed tables and benches, while the deck and sides have many long benches. Between the bow, deck and sides, there are many places to view birds. There are two toilets on the boat.
The birds: Every trip is different, and early December can offer a range of species. Often there are spectacular congregations of sea ducks in Nantucket Sound – tens of thousands are possible. It is a real wildlife spectacle. Winter gulls may be around (Iceland, Glaucous, Lesser Black-backed, Black-legged Kittiwake), as may Northern Gannets and Northern Fulmar. As we get to the Nantucket Shoals, a shallow, sandy-bottomed area southeast of Nantucket, there should be lingering shearwaters (Manx, Great, Cory’s, Sooty) and storm-petrels (Wilson’s and Leach’s) with the possibility of jaegers (Parasitic, Pomerine) or even a skua. Alcids are tough but possible, depending on the year. There are opportunities to see a number of other sea creatures as well – whales, dolphins, sharks, turtles, Mola-mola, Tuna, and Portuguese Man o’ War.
**If you run into any issues or have any questions please email bbcpelagics@gmail.com and we will be able to assist you!**
News Categories
Upcoming Field Trips
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Drumlin Farm
Lincoln - Drumlin Farm 208 S Great Rd, Lincoln, MA, United StatesLet's explore the agricultural fields and adjacent woods for late fall residents and migrants. Fox Sparrow will be a target bird. Note that an admission fee is charged for non-members of Mass Audubon.
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Early Birders @ Arnold Arboretum, Bussey Hill & Peter’s Hill
Arnold Arboretum - Hemlock Hill Rd at Valley Rd Hemlock Hill Rd at Valley Rd in the Arboretum, Boston, MA, United StatesJoin fellow birders in their 20s-30s as we visit Arnold Arboretum! Located in the Forest Hills neighborhood of Boston, Arnold Arboretum is a 281-acre public preserve home to an extensive collection of flora from across the globe. As we navigate through the park’s hills and gardens, expect to see late fall residents & migrants (keep [...]
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Castle Island & Pleasure Bay
South Boston - Castle Island Parking Lot, 2080 Day Blvd. 2080 Day Blvd., Boston, MA, United StatesJoin Mass. Audubon and the Brookline Bird Club to observe resident birds and fall migrants in a unique urban habitat that is a favorite for many bird species, including uncommon and rare birds. Target species include auks, brant, dunlin, eagles, egrets, falcons, hawks, herons, loons, mergansers, owls, oystercatchers, plovers, ravens & crows, sandpipers, sapsuckers, scaup, [...]
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Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge, Concord
Concord - Great Meadows Concord Unit, Entrance Rd, Concord, MA, United StatesWalking about 3 miles on flat easy trails we will search for a variety of birds. Note that an entrance fee or pass is required. If conditions have been cold, be prepared for ice on the trails. Cosponsored with Menotomy Bird club.
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Leader’s Choice–South of Boston
Leader's Choice - South of BostonThe trip leader will monitor recent sightings and select the birdiest spots. Contact leader after November 23 for details on the meeting time and location. Co-sponsored with the South Shore Bird Club.






