TRIP REPORT: AUGUST 9, 2013 MONTEREY BAY

DOG DAYS OF SUMMER

Hello, Seabirders,

After four straight in a row outstanding trips, we hit the "dog days of summer" on our August 9, 2013 Monterey Bay trip. Many folks joined us on this trip, hoping for a repeat of the HAWAIIAN PETREL found on the Shearwater Journeys' trip, August 2, 2013. It was not to be. So far, every trip we've had this season, someone on board has been doing some sort of "Big Year." This day was no different, as Neil Haywad was on board. Neil is doing an, "Accidental Big Year." But, he did not catch up with the Hawaiian Petrel on this day. Early morning began with a very nice, scattered group of RISSO'S DOLPHINS, below. They feed exclusively on squid and there's lots of squid in Monterey Bay. Hawaiian Petrels also feed on squid! This large herd of Risso's Dolphins had many calves, as below, on the far right.

Although we saw many of the typical fall seabird species and the viewing conditions were the best of any trip to date, we missed all of the jaegers and Sabine's Gulls. Well, you know, "some days are diamonds and some days are rust." This is why it is always good to try to do more than one boat trip, especially if you are traveling a long distance. Think about it— you have days like this while land birding, too!

 Our guests from England and Germany were extremely delighted to have good views of six BLUE WHALES off Davenport on the coast, north of Santa Cruz. In the image, above by, Jennifer Green, the cement plant at Davenport is in the background. The Blue Whale is the largest animal that has ever lived on Earth. A few HUMPBACK WHALES were also in the area. All seemed to be feeding on krill, the Blue Whale's preferred food item. Tasty!

Many thanks to all who joined us from near and far. The leaders on this trip were: Clay Kempf, Rick Fournier, Jennifer Green and Debi Shearwater.
The complete species list follows for Monterey/Santa Cruz Counties.
AUGUST 9, 2013 MONTEREY BAY 
BLACK-FOOTED ALBATROSS- 7/9
NORTHERN FULMAR- 01/1
PINK-FOOTED SHEARWATER- 5/4
SOOTY SHEARWATER- 400/195
BROWN PELICAN- 16/3
BRANDT'S CORMORANT- 250/0
DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT- 1/0
PELAGIC CORMORANT- 15/0
BLACK OYSTERCATCHER- 1/0/1
RED-NECKED PHALAROPE- 62/24
RED PHALAROPE- 8/3
PARASITIC JAEGER- 0/1, distant
HEERMANN'S GULL- +
CALIFORNIA GULL- 6/1
WESTERN GULL- +
ELEGANT TERN- 136/55
COMMON MURRE- 180/220
PIGEON GUILLEMOT- 36/0
RHINOCEROS AUKLET- 15/9
CASSIN'S AUKLET- 1/0/1
PEREGRINE FALCON- 1/0, on the radio tower near the aquarium
SEA OTTER- +
CALIFORNIA SEA LION- +
HARBOR SEAL-+
BLUE WHALE- 6 to 8
HUMPBACK WHALE- 2 to 4
RISSO'S DOLPHIN- 90
BLUE SHARK- 2, not many around in recent years. Most likely feeding on krill.

Maybe down about missing the Hawaiian Petrel, Neil was certainly not "out." I asked him what other birds he still hoped to find for the Big Year and he said that he had missed Mountain Quail. No surprise on that one. So, I gave him directions for the best, local spot for this species. And, voila! MOUNTAIN QUAIL was #699 and a LIFE BIRD for NEIL HAYWARD! He didn't manage photographs of the quail, only their footprints. Still, a wonderful bird!

Quail Tracks Forever,

Debi Shearwater

See you out there!