Howdy, Birders,
This is a trip report for Shearwater Journeys' "emergency" October 29, 2011 pelagic trip departing from Bodega Bay, California. Because of the sighting of a WHITE-CHINNED PETREL on October 16th at this location. Although we had a great day at sea, we did not find the hoped for "mega" rarity, White-chinned Petrel. We headed offshore to Bodega Canyon and the Cordell Bank, maximizing our time in these areas, see below. You can enjoy Todd McGrath's stunning images of this day, where we had full sunshine all day long, here.
Highlights included: 1 LAYSAN ALBATROSS, 76 BULLER'S SHEARWATERS, 2 FLESH-FOOTED SHEARWATERS, 14 SOUTH POLAR SKUAS, studies of several THAYER'S GULLS, first of the fall season BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKE, excellent views of TUFTED PUFFIN, and for some, good views of a GREAT WHITE SHARK! One lucky soul on board was able to tick 14 Life Birds!
On the return to the harbor, I spotted a fin near the boat which I first thought might have been a species of "beaked whale." After the second glimpse, I shouted for the captain to slow the boat, and turn around which he quickly did. The fin reappeared at the 10 o'clock position on the boat, where I had two more views. These views were much better, and I realized that it was a shark! The lead gray colored shark turned very rapidly, showing a white throat and underside. I believe it was a GREAT WHITE SHARK, about 7 feet long. Linda Terrill also had great views of this rare creature. One an October Bodega Bay trip several years ago, I saw what was almost certainly a Great White Shark killing a California Sea Lion. There was so much thrashing in the water, and it was so quick, that I could not get a good view of the shark. It was in the same area as this sighting, not too far from shore.
We thank the many folks who traveled from long distances, flying in for this "emergency" pelagic trip! The leaders on this day were lead by Todd McGrath and included, Jon Dunn, Scott Terrill, Linda Terrill, Dave Pereksta, David Wimpfheimer and Debi Shearwater.
The complete species list for OCTOBER 29, 2011 BODEGA BAY & CORDELL BANK follows. We covered both Sonoma and Marin Counties. Numbers are for outside of the harbor and jetty, only.
MARIN/SONOMA/TOTAL
COMMON LOON- 4/0/4
RED-NECKED GREBE- 1/0/1
LAYSAN ALBATROSS- 0/1/1
BLACK-FOOTED ALBATROSS- 0/7/7
NORTHERN FULMAR- 5/145/150
PINK-FOOTED SHEARWATER- 5/115/120
FLESH-FOOTED SHEARWATER- 0/2/2
BULLER'S SHEARWATER- 1/75-76
SOOTY SHEARWATER- 60/75/135
BROWN PELICAN- 9/0/9
BRANDT'S CORMORANT- 125/0/125
DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT- 6/0/6
PELAGIC CORMORANT- 4/0/4
BLACK OYSTERCATCHER- 2/0/2
DUNLIN- 2/0/2
RED PHALAROPE- 0/8/8
SOUTH POLAR SKUA- 0/14/14
POMARINE JAEGER- 1/3/4
BONAPARTE'S GULL- 13/0/13
HEERMANN'S GULL- 15/0/15
MEW GULL- 3/0/3
RING-BILLED GULL- 1/0/1
CALIFORNIA GULL- 25/1000/1025
HERRING GULL- 7/25/32
THAYER'S GULL- 2/6/8
WESTERN GULL- 90/100/190
GLAUCOUS-WINGED GULL- 4/15/19
BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKE- 0/1/1
COMMON MURRE- 100/0/100
PIGEON GUILLEMOT- 1/0/1
CASSIN'S AUKLET- 7/11/18
RHINOCEROS AUKLET- 30/14/44
TUFTED PUFFIN- 1/0/1
CALIFORNIA SEA LION- +
HARBOR SEAL- 10
HUMPBACK WHALE- 1
NORTHERN RIGHT WHALE DOLPHIN- 12
RISSO'S DOLPHIN- 28
PACIFIC WHITE-SIDED DOLPHIN- 75
DALL'S PORPOISE- 5
OCEAN SUNFISH- 2
*GREAT WHITE SHARK- 1
Our last pelagic trip of the fall season is Tuesday, November 22, departing from Half Moon Bay at 7 am. This trip may return anywhere from 4 to 6 pm. Scheduled leaders include: Jon Dunn, Peter Pyle, Tristan McKee, Matt Brady and Debi Shearwater. Spaces are available, and the trip is well subscribed. It is a "GO!" This is a great time to look for arriving winter seabirds, including Ancient Murrelet, Short-tailed Shearwater, Black-legged Kittiwake. Like any pelagic trip, rare seabirds are always possible. Join us!
Shearwaters & Auklets Forever,
Debi Shearwater
No comments:
Post a Comment