Just when you thought it couldn't get any better— Peter Pyle sent me a report from yesterday's survey. He spotted a DARK-RUMPED PETREL over the Davidson Seamount. Peter and Abe were beginning to pack up the flying bridge after studying 1000s of COOK'S PETRELS. Suddenly, Peter noticed a large, dark-backed Pterodroma petrel. He studied it, got Abe on the bird. Both shot their cameras, but alas, the "winged racer" got away. So, they are unable to say if it was a Hawaiian Petrel or a Galapagos Petrel. So, now we know that Dark-rumped Petrels are out there, too!
Other highlights of this day, July 25, 2010, as reported by Peter Pyle, included: 725 COOK'S PETRELS, 425 Leach's Storm-Petrels, 10 Long-tailed Jaegers, 15 Arctic Terns, 10 Xantus' Murrelets, 2 Cuvier's Beaked Whales, probable Baird's Beaked Whales, 80 Fin Whales and a variety of dolphins. A Baird's Sandpiper landed on the ship at the end of the day, above the center of the Davidson Seamount!
Peter and Abe are now headed into shore. They were about 15 n miles off Half Moon Bay when I last heard from them. You can catch up with them on Shearwater Journeys' trips this fall. Peter will be co-leading the July 31st trip departing from Half Moon Bay.
PLEASE NOTE: The July 31 Half Moon Bay trip is SOLD OUT. For all participants reading this email, please be at least on time, and preferably early to the boat. 7 am at the latest. We would like to get off on time, or earlier, in order to get offshore.
If you are looking for either Cook's Petrels, or Dark-rumped Petrels, I would highly recommend the following trips: Aug 11 from Bodega Bay (only a few spaces left) and August 13 & 15 from Fort Bragg. Spaces are available. Details on Shearwater Journeys' web site. The Blue Whale show in Monterey sounds absolutely sensational! August 6th from Monterey, we still have spaces available, and of course, we'll be seabirding, too! Monterey Bay is loaded with krill!!
If you are not a seabirder, and have made it this far in this email— please rejoice in hearing some good news about the ocean for a change!! Isn't it nice?
Pterodroma fever,
Debi Shearwater
No comments:
Post a Comment