TRIP REPORT: HALF MOON BAY, AUGUST 17, 2014

BLACK-FOOTED ALBATROSS, the common albatross at this time of year.

This is a trip report for Shearwater Journeys's pelagic seabirding trip from Half Moon Bay, August 17, 2014. Compared to the August 16th trip, the seas had picked up a fair amount — not horrible, but just enough to make finding and viewing seabirds more difficult. Hence, you'll notice fewer numbers of seabirds on this list compared to August 16th. This is why we always recommend doing more than one trip. Just as birding on land can be effected by weather, so can the same thing happen at sea. Best to not put all of one's eggs in one basket, relying on only one day at sea. In fact, most of the folks on board had already done our Monterey trip on August 15, or the August 16 Half Moon Bay trip. Everyone agreed that it was a pleasant day at sea, nonetheless. We spent most of our time near the 100 fathom line. Nonetheless, as Steve Rottenborn's images show, we saw a good selection of marine life!

SOOTY SHEARWATER, a trans-equatorial migrant.

BLACK-FOOTED ALBATROSS, calling! They make high pitched whistles.

PINK-FOOTED SHEARWATER

PINK-FOOTED SHEARWATER, about to take off, showing white wing linings and white breast, two-toned bill. 

RISSO'S DOLPHINS are being found on nearly every trip.

WILSON'S STORM-PETREL often comes into the chum slicks whereas Black and Ashy Storm-petrels do so less often. 

STELLER'S SEA LION, a Federally Endangered Species, often hangs around the weather buoy.

Many thanks to all the wonderful birders who joined Shearwater Journeys on this day at sea. The leaders were: Steve Rottenborn, Steve Tucker, Jim Danzenbaker, Debi Shearwater.

THE COMPLETE SPECIES LIST FOR SHEARWATER JOURNEYS'S AUGUST 17, 2014 HALF MOON BAY PELAGIC TRIP FOLLOWS:

TOTALS ONLY:
RED-THROATED LOON- 5
BLACK-FOOTED ALBATROSS- 53
NORTHERN FULMAR- 4
PINK-FOOTED SHEARWATER- 352
SOOTY SHEARWATER- 240
BLACK-VENTED SHEARWATER- 8
WILSON'S STORM-PETREL- 6
ASHY STORM-PETREL- 2
BLACK STORM-PETREL- 23
BRANDT'S CORMORANT- 35-
PELAGIC CORMORANT- 5
BLACK OYSTERCATCHER- 4
WHIMBREL- 4
BLACK TURNSTONE- 10
SURFBIRD- 2
DOWITCHER SP.- 10
RED-NECKED PHALAROPE- 148
SOUTH POLAR SKUA- 2
PARASITIC JAEGER- 1
HEERMANN'S GULL- 1 juvenile
WESTERN GULL- +
GLAUCOUS-WINGED GULL- 1
COMMON TERN- 2
COMMON/ARCTIC TERN- 2
COMMON MURRE- 1952
PIGEON GUILLEMOT- 4
RHINOCEROS AUKLET- 24
BROWN-HEADED COWBIRD- flock of 3!
CALIFORNIA SEA LION- 20
STELLER'S SEA LION- 2
NORTHERN ELEPHANT SEAL- 1
HUMPBACK WHALE- 2
RISSO'S DOLPHIN- 12
PACIFIC WHITE-SIDED DOLPHIN- 6
HARBOR PORPOISE- 24
OCEAN SUNFISH- 40

Color banded BROWN PELICAN, one of many on the jetties. 

PINK-FOOTED SHEARWATERS often follow in the wake of our vessel, allowing great photography opportunities. 

The pelagic BROWN-HEADED COWBIRD!

SHEARWATERS FOREVER,

DEBI SHEARWATER

debi@shearwaterjourneys.com