Brian Patteson
The Ludlow Griscom Award for Outstanding Contributions in Regional Ornithology
A native of Virginia, Captain Brian Patteson has been organizing pelagic birding trips since 1986, eventually moving full-time to the Outer Banks of North Carolina in 1995. A complete list of his contributions to our knowledge of seabird biology, distribution and identification would fill a book and, indeed, has been featured in many books. Thousands of birders have seen their first Black-capped Petrels and Band-rumped Storm-Petrels on his trips, but, through the 1980’s, sightings of those species were quite rare. Brian’s efforts added greatly to our understanding of their timing and distribution out in the deeper waters, and both species are seen on most trips in the warmer months. Brian photographed the first Bermuda Petrel ever recorded away from Bermuda in 1996 and subsequently co-authored a landmark 1998 article in Birding on identification criteria for that species. He has documented numerous astounding rarities, such as Yellow-nosed and Black-browed Albatross, Swinhoe’s Storm-Petrel, Black-bellied Storm-Petrel, Tahiti Petrel, Cape Verde Shearwater, and the ABA’s only record of Zino’s Petrel. Species like Bermuda Petrel, Fea’s Petrel, Trindade Petrel, and European Storm-Petrel were formerly considered mega rarities that, through Brian’s work, we now know to be regular in the ABA area in small numbers. His contributions to field identification of Cory’s and Scopoli’s Shearwater, which his trips have documented and studied for more than twenty years, enabled many ABA members to add an armchair lifer following the recent split.
In 2006, he acquired his own boat, which significantly changed the way people are able to experience many of these species, and it also provided further research and educational opportunities. He captained the effort to capture and tag the first Black-capped Petrel at sea aboard the Stormy Petrel II, a milestone that has further advanced knowledge of that species’ distribution; that work will continue in 2025.
In addition to his fieldwork, Patteson has played a crucial role in educating people about seabirds and their offshore ecosystems. His ability to let people experience these birds firsthand has been transformative, earning him and business partner, co-captain, and marine biologist Kate Sutherland a reputation as some of the best pelagic operators in the world. His dedication and expertise have made a lasting impact on ornithology and marine biology, fostering greater appreciation and knowledge of these vital ecosystems.
– Chris Sloan
OTHER USERS BOUGHT THIS!!!
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