A variety of seabirds can be seen offshore from Cape Hatteras. This Black-capped Petrel, a dark-faced individual, was photographed by Kate Sutherland with Seabirding.

For an exciting offshore birding experience, Cape Hatteras, North Carolina is a prime location to enjoy seabirds offshore along the edge of the Gulf Stream. It’s probably the most consistent and convenient place in the western North Atlantic to find a variety of pelagic seabirds any given day, which may include a seasonal variety of petrels, shearwaters, tropicbirds, storm petrels, and terns. Operating out of Hatteras, Brian Patteson’s company – Seabirding – is renowned for providing quality offshore birding experiences.

With Seabirding trips offered regularly throughout the year on Patteson’s ship, the Stormy Petrel II, the variety of seabirds typically observed along the western edge of the Gulf Stream includes Black-capped Petrels, Audubon’s Shearwaters, Band-rumped Storm Petrels, White-tailed Tropicbirds, Red-billed Tropicbirds, Masked Boobys, Bridled Terns, and Sooty Terns. Rare seabirds that have been seen include an occasional Bermuda Petrel, Fea’s Petrel, or Trindade Petrel. Some cold-temperature species can be seen with great frequency, such as Great Shearwaters, Sooty Shearwaters, and Wilson’s Storm Petrels.

This weekend heralds the start of the “Spring Blitz,” operated daily from Saturday, May 20th through June 3rd, with additional June dates – and check out the entire summer schedule and be sure to book Seabirding trips early. The most active and successful operator of pelagic birding trips in the eastern United States, Seabirding has a long-standing reputation for experience and excellence. Each offshore trip is staffed by 2 to 5 leaders who have extensive offshore experience and the knowledge necessary to locate and identify some of the most cryptic and elusive species of seabirds.

Learn more about Seabirding offshore from Hatteras, North Carolina at Seabirding – Excellence in Pelagic Birding (patteson.com)

For seasonal lists of seabirds observed, see Seabird Diversity – Seabirding (patteson.com) and to check on upcoming Seabirding trips, see Gulf Stream Trips – Seabirding (patteson.com)