Since 1980, Shearwater Journeys has operated pelagic trips from Bodega Bay to the Cordell Bank and Bodega Canyon. We have conducted more seabird trips for the public from this port than any other organization. Our decades of experience has proved fruitful on many occasions. Nicknamed "Blow-dega Bay" because there is no protection from the prevailing northwest winds, Shearwater Journeys' trips have amassed quite a number of first records for the State of California, North America and even the entire Pacific Ocean! While at one time, more than a dozen fishing vessels operated out of this port, today only one large vessel suitable for birding trips exists! Once this vessel moves on, all of the others have, there will no longer be any pelagic trips for birders! Think about that. Fishing restrictions, along with increasing costs of fuel make it practically impossible for boats to make a living in this harbor. If you have ever considered doing a Bodega Bay trip, now is the time.
For 2011, Shearwater Journeys has three trips on offer, all on Wednesdays:
For 2011, Shearwater Journeys has three trips on offer, all on Wednesdays: AUGUST 17 Leaders: Lisa Hug, Wes Fritz & Debi Shearwater
SEPTEMBER 14 Leaders: Lisa Hug, Morten Joergensen, Peter Pyle, Steve Howell & Debi Shearwater
OCTOBER 14 Leaders: Lisa Hug, Steve Howell, Jennifer Green & Debi Shearwater
All trips meet at Port O'Bodega at 6:30 am. Bring your lunch, dress warmly, waterproof outer gear. The boat return time is variable, 4- 6 pm. Parking is free in the large lot. Advance reservations are necessary. Please email Debi Shearwater: debi@shearwaterjourneys.com for more details.
You can find our trip report for the SEPTEMBER 15, 2010 BODEGA BAY TRIP by clicking here. The highlight was a COOK'S PETREL! Highlights of our AUGUST 11, 2010 BODEGA BAY TRIP included 2 or 3 LAYSAN ALBATROSSES, 200 ASHY STORM-PETRELS, 300+ LONG-TAILED JAEGERS, 70 ARCTIC TERNS, 1000+ CASSIN'S AUKLETS, one TUFTED PUFFIN, 3 GRAY WHALES, 4 BLUE WHALES, 25 HUMPBACK WHALES, and remarkably 4 SPERM WHALES!
The harbor will almost certainly be teaming with birds— arriving loons, grebes, scoters; thousands of shorebirds, white pelicans, terns, gulls and more.
The harbor will almost certainly be teaming with birds— arriving loons, grebes, scoters; thousands of shorebirds, white pelicans, terns, gulls and more.
However, it is the seabirds that are truly amazing. Over the years, we have amassed an astounding list of incredible records. These include: SHY ALBATROSS (24 Aug 1999, 25 Sep 1999, 29 Jul 2000, 27 Jul 2001); LAYSAN ALBATROSS (many records); SHORT-TAILED ALBATROSS (3-5 Nov 1985, 28 Aug 1998, 26 Oct 1998, Nov 2010); GREAT-WINGED PETREL (24 Aug 1996); MURPHY'S PETREL, HAWAIIAN PETREL (24 Aug 1996, 1 Aug 1997, 15 Jul 2000, 9 May 2001); COOK'S PETREL (23 Jun 1985 + other records); STREAKED SHEARWATER (29 Sep 2002); CORY'S SHEARWATER (9 Aug 2003); WEDGE-TAILED SHEARWATER, MANX SHEARWATER. In addition, a single record exists of a LIGHT-MANTLED ALBATROSS. Rare alcids have included, LONG-BILLED MURRELET, CRESTED AUKLET (24 Jun 1995) and HORNED PUFFINS.
Regularly occurring species include: BLACK-FOOTED ALBATROSS, NORTHERN FULMAR, PINK-FOOTED SHEARWATER, FLESH-FOOTED SHEARWATER, BULLER'S SHEARWATER, SOOTY SHEARWATER, SHORT-TAILED SHEARWATER, sometimes, BLACK-VENTED SHEARWATER, WILSON'S STORM-PETREL, FORK-TAILED STORM-PETREL, ASHY STORM-PETREL, and sometimes LEACH'S STORM-PETREL, BLACK STORM-PETREL, LEAST STORM-PETREL, SOUTH POLAR SKUA, POMARINE JAEGER, PARASITIC JAEGER, LONG-TAILED JAEGER, SABINE'S GULL, BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKE, COMMON TERN, ARCTIC TERN, COMMON MURRE, PIGEON GUILLEMOT, MARBLED MURRELET, XANTUS'S MURRELET, CRAVERI'S MURRELET, ANCIENT MURRELET, CASSIN'S AUKLET, RHINOCEROS AUKLET and TUFTED PUFFIN. I have not included the nearshore grebes, loons, ducks, geese, shorebirds.
Marine mammals are no less spectacular, and have included: GRAY WHALE, MINKE WHALE, BLUE WHALE, FIN WHALE, HUMPBACK WHALE, SPERM WHALE, BAIRD'S BEAKED WHALE, HUBB'S BEAKED WHALE, KILLER WHALE, NORTHERN RIGHT WHALE DOLPHIN, RISSO'S DOLPHIN, PACIFIC WHITE-SIDED DOLPHIN, HARBOR PORPOISE, DALL'S PORPOISE. Leatherback sea turtle has been observed, as well.
It has been said that if one partakes of a Bodega Bay, the chances are good of acquiring a high quality seabird and marine mammal species list for the day, if not a downright North American record! I hope you will join us!Shearwaters forever,
Debi Shearwater
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