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Posted by Alex Harper on 16:09:15 11/30/11
In Reply to: Eider sighting? posted by Paul-the-other
Pelagic refers to the open ocean. By definition, pelagic birds spend the vast majority of their lives over the open ocean, far from shore.
In most areas, the highest concentrations of pelagics are in areas of upwelling, where cold, nutrient-rich water moves upwards towards the surface. In coastal California, for instance, there are areas where drastic underwater topography obstructs bathymetric or deep ocean currents close enough to shore to attract species such as Sooty Shearwaters.
In Florida, however, the continental shelf extends far off shore. Thus, there is little to no upwelling that would attract any concentration of pelagic species close to shore. As a result, the best way to see true pelagic species is by means of boat, often 15-100+ miles offshore depending on the proximity to the Gulf Stream (which is nutrient-poor, but mixes with the Atlantic where there are differences in density, currents, etc.).
In Florida, we usually see species such as "tropical terns", shearwaters, and storm-petrels during prevailing, strong winds, especially during hurricanes. Species such as Northern Gannets and jaegers can be seen from shore, but usually with the proper optics.
Alex Harper
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