Maryland Mid-Atlantic Pelagic

Hillstar Nature runs dedicated offshore pelagic birding trips from Ocean City, Maryland, steaming 90–110 miles into the open Atlantic to reach the deep submarine canyons — Wilmington Canyon, Baltimore Canyon, and Washington Canyon — that cut through the continental shelf edge south of the Delmarva Peninsula. Founded by George Armistead, a professional birding guide with over two decades of international experience, Hillstar Nature organises multiple pelagic departures throughout the year: overnight summer trips from Lewes, Delaware in August, fall deepwater trips from Ocean City in September targeting warm-water specialties, and winter trips from Ocean City in December through February reaching peak alcid concentrations. Fish-oil chumming is used throughout all trips to draw birds alongside the vessel for extended close-range observation.

The Mid-Atlantic canyon system off Maryland and Delaware is one of the most productive and underappreciated pelagic birding zones on the US East Coast. The offshore position of the Delmarva Peninsula, where warm Gulf Stream water and cold Labrador Current water collide above the canyon system, concentrates an extraordinary diversity of tubenoses and seabirds within reach of a day's run from Ocean City. Black-capped Petrel (Critically Endangered, only a few hundred breeding pairs remaining) — primarily a Caribbean breeder seen offshore in Gulf Stream-influenced water — is recorded on multiple Hillstar Nature trips including at least one first winter record for Maryland. A December 2023 trip produced eight Manx Shearwaters, including one that followed the vessel for almost two hours and landed at the chum slick. Band-rumped Storm-Petrel and Wilson's Storm-Petrel are regular offshore; White-faced Storm-Petrel and Leach's Storm-Petrel have also been recorded. Great and Cory's Shearwaters are abundant from summer into autumn; Audubon's Shearwater is regular in warmer months. White-tailed Tropicbird occurs in Gulf Stream water. Northern Fulmar, all three jaegers (Pomarine, Parasitic, Long-tailed), South Polar Skua, Great Skua, Sabine's Gull, and Black-legged Kittiwake round out the open-water species.

Winter trips shift character dramatically, with up to 5,000+ Dovekies seen in a single day alongside Razorbills, Thick-billed and Common Murres in the cold offshore waters. All trips are led by Hillstar Nature guides and contribute to the eBird Maryland Pelagic (General) hotspot (L1428871 — 143+ species recorded). Current trip dates and registration are at hillstarnature.wetravel.com; Hillstar Nature also announces trips via their Telegram channel "Hillstar Pelagics" and social media.