Shearwater Journey's August 12, 2008 pelagic trip to Bodega Canyon
and Cordell Bank was highlighted with amazing views of XANTUS'
MURRELET spotted by leader Gerry McChesney on the water in some
pretty choppy seas! It was a rough day at sea with winds from the
northwest and a fairly consistent sea surface temperature of 52F.
Nevertheless, we did manage to find some scattered ASHY STORM-PETRELS
and a few FORK-TAILED STORM-PETRELS, and had a grand slam on all of
the jaegers: POMARINE, PARASITIC, LONG-TAILED, and a single SOUTH
POLAR SKUA. It was a tough day of seabirding. August trips can be
like that, or, they can be flat calm. Roll the dice!
We thank all of the participants who ventured out on this trip. The
leaders were: Lisa Hug, Alan Hopkins, Matt Brady, Gerry McChesney,
Steve Howell, and Debra Shearwater.
Our next trips from Bodega Bay are OCTOBER 9 & 17. To make a
reservation, please send a check to Debra Shearwater, PO Box 190,
Hollister, CA 95024. You will receive a return confirmation letter
with details of the trip.
The complete species list for AUGUST 12, 2008 BODEGA CANYON & CORDELL
BANK FOLLOWS:
PACIFIC LOON- 1
WESTERN GREBE- 1
BLACK-FOOTED ALBATROSS- 38
NORTHERN FULMAR- 28
PINK-FOOTED SHEARWATER- 60
SOOTY SHEARWATER- 25
FORK-TAILED STORM-PETREL- 4
ASHY STORM-PETREL- 80
BROWN PELICAN- 25
BRANDT'S CORMORANT- +
PELAGIC CORMORANT- 2
RED-NECKED PHALAROPE- 12
SOUTH POLAR SKUA- 1
POMARINE JAEGER- 10
PARASITIC JAEGER- 2
PARASITIC/LONG-TAILED JAEGER- 1
LONG-TAILED JAEGER- 18
HEERMANN'S GULL- 25
CALIFORNIA GULL- 50
WESTERN GULL- 50
SABINE'S GULL- 5
COMMON MURRE- 38
PIGEON GUILLEMOT- 20
XANTUS' MURRELET- 2
CASSIN'S AUKLET- 18
RHINOCEROS AUKLET- 6
CALIFORNIA SEA LION- 3
PACIFIC WHITE-SIDED DOLPHIN- 16
HARBOR PORPOISE- 2
Spaces are still available on our upcoming trips from Monterey on
August 15, 22, and 29. Please call Linda Terrill at 408/353-8036 for
a reservation.
Shearwaters forever,
Debra Shearwater
PO Box 190
Hollister, CA 95024
debi@shearwaterjourneys.com
