Wednesday, May 23, 2012

CORDELL BANK & BODEGA CANYON SEABIRD TRIPS

Howdy, Seabirders,

Since 1980, Shearwater Journeys has offered pelagic trips departing from Bodega Bay, north of Point Reyes and San Francisco. The vessel for all of our departures this season will be the New Sea Angler, a 65' comfortable sportfisher. The New Sea Angler and Trek II (used for our Fort Bragg departures), are two of the best birding boat platforms along the California coastline. We have used the New Sea Angler for many years. Her captain is intimately acquainted with birding and birders. 

Cordell Bank and Bodega Canyon have held an immense array of rare seabirds over the 30+ years that we've operated in these waters. Some of these seabirds have included: LAYSAN, "SHY" (3 records), LIGHT-MANTLED and SHORT-TAILED ALBATROSSES; MURPHY'S, COOK'S, HAWAIIAN, WHITE-CHINNED, PARKINSON'S and GREAT-WINGED PETRELS; STREAKED, CORY'S, GREAT, FLESH-FOOTED, WEDGE-TAILED and MANX SHEARWATERS; WILSON'S and LEAST STORM-PETRELS; LONG-BILLED MURRELET; CRESTED AUKLET. These are some of the rarest of the rare, seabird records. Todd McGrath found a very rare, WHITE-CHINNED PETREL on October 16, 2011 Bodega Bay trip!

The Cordell Bank is a National Marine Sanctuary which was established in 1989. It is an extraordinary ecosystem. Whales and other marine mammals are often abundant on these trips. White Sharks are sometimes encountered. 

SHEARWATER JOURNEYS' 2012 TRIPS TO CORDELL BANK & BODEGA CANYON:
AUG. 22, WED. (Can be combined with Fort Bragg trips, August 24 & 25)
SEP. 21, FRI.
SEP. 27, THU. - LIMITED SPACES AVAILABLE AT THIS TIME
OCT. 26, FRI. 

All of our Bodega Bay trips depart at 6:30 a.m. Parking is free. For complete trip details, click here. And, more details, here. Some trip reports: August 17, 2011; October 16, 2011; September 17 & 19, 2002 (Streaked Shearwater & Hawaiian/Dark-rumped Petrel); September 16, 2005 (Cook's Petrel); and many more Trip Reports

Hope to see you out there!
Shearwaters forever,
Debi Shearwater

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