Another incredibly awesome day on Monterey Bay thrilled seabirders on Shearwater Journey's September 14, 2008 pelagic trip. Seas were glassy, greasy smooth throughout the day, allowing for amazing viewing, especially of the STORM-PETREL FLOCKS, which continued to be the highlight of the trip. At least 10,000 ASHY STORM-PETRELS were rafting over acres of the sea. Among them, the most sensational find was a single LEACH'S STORM-PETREL (white-rumped, northern? form), which flew very close to our boat for all to see. Many of the photographers on board were able to obtain images of the bird. Also found were 5 WILSON'S STORM-PETRELS, 5 FORK-TAILED STORM-PETRELS, and only 60 BLACK STORM-PETRELS. Other highlights included one FLESH-FOOTED SHEARWATER and 14 SOUTH POLAR SKUAS. The PEREGRINE FALCON has returned to its wintering spot on the radio tower on Cannery Row. One might say, however, that the true highlight of this day was the brilliant ocean conditions! Beaufort 0. Sea surface temperature 59F, steady.
We thank all of the participants who came from near and far for this trip. The leaders were: Linda Terrill, Scott Terrill, John Sterling, Clay Kempf, Don Doolittle, David Vander Pluym, & Debra Shearwater. Lauren Harter was our diligent chummer.
Spaces are still available on the following trips from MONTEREY: SEPTEMBER 22, 25, 27, 28; OCTOBER 3, 4, 5, 11, 18; NOVEMBER 29.
Spaces are still available on the following trips from BODEGA BAY: OCTOBER 9 & 17.
Spaces are still available on the OCTOBER 12 trip departing from SANTA CRUZ.
Please contact Debra Shearwater as soon as possible for a reservation.
The complete species list for SEPTEMBER 14, 2008 MONTEREY BAY follows:
MONTEREY COUNTY/SANTA CRUZ COUNTY
PACIFIC LOON- 4/0
EARED GREBE- 2/0
BLACK-FOOTED ALBATROSS- 4/2
NORTHERN FULMAR- 1/0
PINK-FOOTED SHEARWATER- 865/18
FLESH-FOOTED SHEARWATER- 1/0
BULLER'S SHEARWATER- 45/12
SOOTY SHEARWATER- 2570/10
WILSON'S STORM-PETREL- 0/5
FORK-TAILED STORM-PETREL- 0/5
LEACH'S STORM-PETREL- 0/1
ASHY STORM-PETREL- 67/10,000
BLACK STORM-PETREL- 0/60
BROWN PELICAN- 45/0
BRANDT'S CORMORANT- 270/0
PELAGIC CORMORANT- 2/0
HARLEQUIN DUCK- 2/0,. in Monterey harbor
SURF SCOTER- 19/0
RUDDY TURNSTONE- 1/0
BLACK TURNSTONE- 8/0
RED-NECKED PHALAROPE- 46/30
SOUTH POLAR SKUA- 14/0
POMARINE JAEGER- 5/2
PARASITIC JAEGER- 4/0
JAEGER SP.-3/0
HEERMANN'S GULL- 75/4
CALIFORNIA GULL- 125/35
WESTERN GULL- 400/30
SABINE'S GULL- 7/2
ELEGANT TERN- 43/3
COMMON TERN- 2/0
COMMON/ARCTIC TERN- 1/0
COMMON MURRE- 190/0
RHINOCEROS AUKLET- 210/0
GREAT BLUE HERON- 1/0, on the Coast Guard jetty
PEREGRINE FALCON- 1/0, on the radio tower, Cannery Row
BROWN-HEADED COWBIRD-1/0
SEA OTTER- 2/0
CALIFORNIA SEA LION- 800/0
NORTHERN FUR SEAL- 6/0
HARBOR SEAL- 6/0
HUMPBACK WHALE- 18/0
SHORT-BEAKED COMMON DOLPHIN- 2/0, along Cannery Row, cow/calf
NORTHERN RIGHT WHALE DOLPHIN- 40/0
PACIFIC WHITE-SIDED DOLPHIN- 200/0
DALL'S PORPOISE- 3/0
OCEAN SUNFISH- 1/0
BLUE SHARK- 2/0
ADDENDUM to the SEPTEMBER 13, 2008 REPORT: MARINE MAMMALS SIGHTED:
HUMPBACK WHALE- 21
PACIFIC WHITE-SIDED DOLPHIN- 765
NORTHERN RIGHT WHALE DOLPHIN- 260
NORTHERN FUR SEAL- 24
CALIFORNIA SEA LION- 250
HARBOR SEAL- 6
SEA OTTER- 9
Shearwaters forever,
Debra
Debra Shearwater
Shearwater Journeys, Inc.
PO Box 190
Hollister, CA 95024
831.637.8527
www.shearwaterjourneys.com
*Antarctica, South Georgia, & The Falkland Islands, January 5-24, 2010*
Shearwater Journeys' Exclusive Charter
