HALF MOON BAY PELAGIC TRIP: AUGUST 16, 2015 TRIP REPORT

Howdy, Seabirders,

This is a trip report for Shearwater Journeys' pelagic trip departing from Half Moon Bay, August 16, 2015, offshore to the Continental Shelf and Pioneer Canyon. Highlights included: TEN SPECIES OF TUBENOSES: BLACK-FOOTED ALBATROSS; NORTHERN FULMAR; SOOTY, PINK-FOOTED, FLESH-FOOTED (first of the season), and BULLER'S SHEARWATERS; WILSON'S, FORK-TAILED, ASHY, and BLACK STORM-PETRELS; first of the season LONG-TAILED JAEGER; and TUFTED PUFFIN. It was a very seabird-filled day, from start to finish, with only one lull in the 11 hours we were at sea. A good selection of marine mammals included: HUMPBACK WHALE, RISSO'S and PACIFIC WHITE-SIDED DOLPHINS, HARBOR PORPOISE, CALIFORNIA and STELLER'S SEA LIONS and HARBOR SEAL. Fish included one, now rarely seen, BLUE SHARK, loads of OCEAN SUNFISH and several LIZARDFISH. Gigantic shoals of ANCHOVIES.

Although there is a lot of warm water out there, we still had plenty of cold water nearshore. As we departed the harbor area, thousands and thousands — some 90,000 by our count — of SOOTY SHEARWATERS were flying as a long train. Along with four very close-to-shore HUMPBACK WHALES, they were feeding on ANCHOVIES. Terrafin chart, above, used with permission. Do not reproduce. 

From the dock, we wend our way along several jetties in the harbor overflowing with birds. 

BLACK OYSTERCATCHERS, above, nest in the harbor, along with PIGEON GUILLEMOTS. 

Image, copyright, Linda Terrill.

SCHOOLING ANCHOVIES- THE STUFF OF LIFE!

There are some who are calling this the biggest ANCHOVY year of all time. Great to see so many schooling fish as the central California population crashed in 2008. Great comeback!

Image, copyright, Tim Zoliniak

 

CALIFORNIA LIZARDFISH are still around, and we caught a few of these warm water fish. 

Image, copyright, Will Brooks.

  A flock of PINK-FOOTED SHEARWATERS (left) had one FLESH-FOOTED SHEARWATER (right) amongst them in San Mateo County. Later, we found another Flesh-footed Shearwater for San Francisco County. 

Image, copyright, Will Brooks.

Before we even reached the edge of the Continental Shelf, we encountered the first of a handful of ASHY STORM-PETRELS. Soon, other storm-petrels joined the fray. 

Image, copyright, Will Brooks.

 BLACK STORM-PETREL, above, made some very close passes in our wake.

Image, copyright, Will Brooks.

 WILSON'S STORM-PETREL, above, and FORK-TAILED STORM-PETREL also showed well. Image, copyright, Will Brooks.

 ASHY STORM-PETREL and NORTHERN/PACIFIC FULMAR, above. 

Image, copyright, Will Brooks.

Many thanks to all of the birders who joined us! I thank the parents who brought their young birders, and one "birthday girl" who celebrated her birthday in this special way! This young lady did her first pelagic trip 25 years ago. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JENNIFER TERRILL!

The leaders on this trip were: Todd McGrath, Scott Terrill, Linda Terrill, Steve Tucker, Will Brooks, Al De Martini, and Debi Shearwater. 

THE COMPLETE SPECIES LIST FOR SHEARWATER JOURNEYS' AUGUST 16, 2015 TRIP FOLLOWS and is listed by counties; SAN MATEO/SAN FRANCISCO/TOTAL

WESTERN GREBE- 3/0/3

BLACK-FOOTED ALBATROSS- 16/60/75

NORTHERN FULMAR- 18/10/28

PINK-FOOTED SHEARWATER- 125/600/725

*FLESH-FOOTED SHEARWATER- 1/1/2

BULLER'S SHEARWATER- 4/1/5

SOOTY SHEARWATER- 99,415/32/99,560

WILSON'S STORM-PETREL- 3/11/14

FORK-TAILED STORM-PETREL- 1/3/4

ASHY STORM-PETREL-8/9/17

BLACK STORM-PETREL-1/8/9

BROWN PELICAN- 401/0/401

BRANDT'S CORMORANT- 33/1/34

DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT- 65/0/65

PELAGIC CORMORANT- 9/0/9

SURF SCOTER- 15/0/15

WESTERN SANDPIPER- 23/0/23

SANDERLING- 20/0/20

BLACK OYSTERCATCHER- 2/0/2

WANDERING TATTLER- 1/0/1

BLACK TURNSTONE- 13/1/14

SURFBIRD- 2/0/2

SEMIPALMATED PLOVER- 1/0/1

SPOTTED SANDPIPER- 1/0/1

RED-NECKED PHALAROPE- 54/6/60

RED PHALAROPE- 4/0/4

POMARINE JAEGER- 3/0/3

LONG-TAILED JAEGER- 1/0/1

HEERMANN'S GULL- 740/0/740

CALIFORNIA GULL- 6/2/8

WESTERN GULL- 140/35/175

GLAUCOUS-WINGED GULL- 1/0/1

ELEGANT TERN- 1280/0/1280

CASPIAN TERN- 5/0/5

COMMON MURRE- 175/34/209

PIGEON GUILLEMOT- 27/0/27

CASSIN'S AUKLET- 7/4/11

RHINOCEROS AUKLET- 11/4/15

TUFTED PUFFIN- 0/1/1

GREAT BLUE HERON- 2/0/2

BELTED KINGFISHER- 2/0/2

CALIFORNIA SEA LION- 550

STELLER'S SEA LION- 7

HARBOR SEAL- 8

RISSO'S DOLPHIN- 6

PACIFIC WHITE-SIDED DOLPHIN- 20

HARBOR PORPOISE- 9

OCEAN SUNFISH-35

BLUE SHARK- 1

CALIFORNIA LIZARDFISH- 3, caught

ANCHOVY- verylarge schools

Various jellies, especially along breaks

Returning to the harbor, we pass alongside another buoy that offers a nice study of both 

CALIFORNIA and STELLER'S SEA LIONS.

Image, copyright, Linda Terrill. 

 UPCOMING TRIPS FROM HALF MOON BAY:

SEPTEMBER 6 (4 spaces available-email Debi)

SEPTEMBER 15 (2 spaces available-email Debi)

SEPTEMBER 20

OCTOBER 4

OCTOBER 11

Hope to see you out there!

Living the Salt Life,

Debi Shearwater

debi@shearwaterjourneys.com

HALF MOON BAY PELAGIC TRIPS with SHEARWATER JOURNEYS

HALF MOON BAY ROCKS with SEABIRDS & MARINE MAMMALS

Shearwater Journeys first offered pelagic seabirding trips departing from Half Moon Bay in 1999. These trips have proved to be very exciting. 

The harbor, alone can be so full of birds that it almost warrants several hours of birding! Below, is a small portion of a flock of more than a thousand ELEGANT TERNS on the jetty. 

Typically, we see both PIGEON GUILLEMOTS, above and BLACK OYSTERCATCHERS, below, in the harbor. Both species nest on the breakwaters. 

Just outside of the harbor, we search for the Federally Endangered, MARBLED MURRELET, below. In this area, we once found a YELLOW-BILLED LOON.

Heading out to the edge of the Continental Shelf, we pass a weather buoy where both CALIFORNIA and STELLER'S SEA LIONS hang out. The Steller's Sea Lion can easily be told by its rough call!

 

 The edge of the Continental Shelf is drops off and there is often food in this area. We almost always encounter our first BLACK-FOOTED ALBATROSS, below, there. 

Late July and early August trips often find LAYSAN ALBATROSS, below. This albatross is not common in our area. Most of the individuals that we see come from the breeding colonies in Mexico. We know this from numbered leg bands that we photograph. 

 From the shelf edge, we head to the steep canyon walls of the PIONEER CANYON where we often find rafts of storm-petrels, including this single, FORK-TAILED STORM-PETREL. Other storm-petrels we have found include: ASHY, BLACK, WILSON'S and LEACH'S. Any number of mega-rare seabirds could be found in this region, including: Short-tailed Albatross, Cook's and Hawaiian, Great-winged and Parkinson's Petrels. 

 The proximity of the Farallon Islands, which we can sometimes see on a clear day, means that we find TUFTED PUFFINS somewhat regularly on these trips. 

Cutting back and crossing the shelf, again, we often find flocks of shearwaters. The flock below contains three species of SHEARWATERS: BULLER'S, PINK-FOOTED, and one GREAT (at the lowest edge of the image)! 

 

Flocks such as these often hold rarities, such as the GREAT SHEARWATER, above, and the infrequently seen FLESH-FOOTED SHEARWATER, below. 

On calm, beautiful days with many seabirds, we often come in later than expected, watching a gorgeously sublime sunset. 

Returning to the outer harbor. 

 Half Moon Bay Harbor, below, at the end of an incredibly beautiful day. 

 Our trips from Half Moon Bay can easily be combined with trips from Monterey Bay. It is always a good idea to back up your trip from Half Moon Bay with at least one other trip, either from Monterey of another Half Moon Bay trip. Unlike Monterey, Half Moon Bay is not sheltered from the prevailing northwest winds, and these trips can and have, been weathered out. Fall, August through October, experiences the best marine weather, though. Over the past 38 years, only one fall trip from Monterey has been weathered out.

2014 HALF MOON BAY TRIPS

with 

SHEARWATER JOURNEYS

JUL. 20, SUN.

JUL. 26, SAT.

AUG. 2, SAT.

AUG. 16, SAT.

AUG. 17, SUN.

AUG. 23, SAT.

SEP. 7, SUN.

SEP. 8, MON.

SEP. 15, MON.

SEP. 21, SUN.

SEP. 24, WED.

OCT. 5, SUN.

OCT. 11, SUN. 

DETAILS FOR HALF MOON BAY TRIPS

DEPARTURE: 7 a.m. SHARP. Meet Debi and check in at H Dock, Johnson Pier at Pillar Point Harbor on Half Moon Bay, El Granada. Location here.

RETURN: We should return between 3:30 to 4:30 p.m., but some trips stay out as long at 6:30 p.m. Plan accordingly. 

PARKING: is free in the lot near the dock. Do NOT park in the spaces labeled "two hour" parking. Allow about 10 minutes to park and walk to the dock. There is a restroom in the parking lot. 

PRICE ADJUSTMENT: If prices increase, there could be an adjustment at the dockside of $5- 10/person. This is payable only in cash. Unless something weird happens, this is unlikely. 

FOOD & DRINKS: Please bring all food and drinks, including water. Dress warmly with waterproof outer layers. This is a non-smoking trip.

MOTELS: It is possible to arrive and find all motels fully booked. This is a serious situation, because it means you will have to drive at least 30 - 60 minutes to find a room! As anywhere along the California coast, motel rooms can be quite expensive. Booking ahead can save you money. Local motels in the area include: COMFORT INN (where I have stayed often and found to be quite good. Booking ahead, can save money, but is non-refundable). HARBOR VIEW INN is another possibility. The COASTSIDE INN has better rates, but the WiFi does now work well (or at all, sometimes). Under NO circumstances should you book America's Best Value Inn, as they have BED BUGS and you will take them home with you! If you really want the cheapest option, check out the MOTEL 6 in Belmont. Tricky on and off ramps from Highway 101. Allow yourself at least 45 minutes to get to the dock from here, more time, if you don't know where you are going and plan to stop for grab n'go breakfast. Highway 92 is a winding, two lane road often enshrouded in fog, into Half Moon Bay from Highway 101. Take care.
RATE: $196

TRIP REPORT: JUL. 27, 2013: DON'T KISS THE WHALES
TRIP REPORT: AUG. 25, 2013: A SEA OF SPLENDORS
TRIP REPORT: SEP. 22, 2013
TRIP REPORT: JUL. 28 & 29, 2012: DIAMONDS & RUST
TRIP REPORT: SEP. 23, 2012: TAKING YOU PLACES
TRIP REPORT: OCT. 28, 2012
IMAGES OF THE DAY: OCT. 28, 2012 BY SOPHIE WEBB
TRIP REPORT: JUL. 30, 2011
TRIP REPORT: SEP. 17, 2011: GREAT-WINGED PETREL
TRIP REPORT: OCT. 2, 2011
TRIP REPORT: NOV. 22, 2011
TRIP REPORT: JUL. 31, 2010
TRIP REPORT: SEP. 13, 2010
TRIP REPORT: SEP. 17, 2010

SEE YOU OUT THERE!

SHEARWATERS FOREVER,

Debi Shearwater

Images in the blog post, copyright by:

ABE BORKER

TODD MCGRATH

MARK RAUZON

STEVE ROTTENBORN

DEBI SHEARWATER

CORDELL BANK & BODEGA CANYON SEABIRD & MARINE MAMMAL TRIPS

LOOKING FOR STORM-PETRELS?

CORDELL BANK & BODEGA CANYON SEABIRDING 2014 PELAGIC TRIPS:

SEPTEMBER 1 & 19, 2014

Massive rafts of storm-petrels have been observed on Shearwater Journeys's offshore trips from Bodega Bay in recent years. Flocks number in the thousands have included: ASHY, BLACK, FORK-TAILED, LEAST AND WILSON'S STORM-PETRELS. On our September 20, 2013 trip, we recorded a record-breaking 17,325 storm-petrels! While on our September 21, 2012 trip a fly-by HAWAIIAN PETREL was spotted while we were watching the storm-petrels!

 

Since 1980 Shearwater Journeys has offered pelagic trips departing from Bodega Bay, north of Point Reyes and San Francisco. This is the longest running birding operation from this port. 

 The areas that we cover on this departure have recorded more MEGA-RARE SEABIRDS than any other port in North America! The list is very long: SHORT-TAILED ALBATROSS, LIGHT-MANTELD ALBATROSS, SHY ALBATROSS (3 different individuals, separate trips);
MURPHY'S, COOK'S, HAWAIIAN, WHITE-CHINNED, PARKINSON'S and GREAT-WINGED PETRELS; GREAT, MANX, STREAKED, CORY'S, WEDGE-TAILED and FLESH-FOOTED SHEARWATERS; LEAST STORM-PETREL (rare this far north, but might happen in 2014 due to warmer water); LONG-BILLED MURRELET and CRESTED AUKLET. These are some of the rarest of the rare seabirds in all of North America, and in some instances, the northern Pacific Ocean. (Great-winged Petrel represented the first record for the Northern Hemisphere, as well as North America!)

 ASHY & FORK-TAILED STORM-PETRELS, above. 

 HUMPBACK WHALE, above. This is a rich feeding area for marine mammals. 

LONG-TAILED JAEGER, above and SOUTH POLAR SKUA, below. 

This area can be fabulous for viewing all three species of jaegers. Skua is rarely missed on this trip.

 BLUE WHALE, below, showing its back and dorsal fin.

 The sheer numbers of marine mammals near Bodega Canyon can be astounding, during fall. 

 LONG-TAILED JAEGER, above and SABINE'S GULL, below. 

BROWN BOOBY, below. Seen on our October 25, 2013 trip. 

The NEW SEA ANGLER, our comfortable birding vessel, below. 

NOTE: The September 19 Bodega Bay trip can be combined with the September 21 Half Moon Bay trip for a weekend of seabirding and land birding on September 20. The September 1 trip could be hooked up with the early Monterey Bay trips on September 5 and 6, with land birding in between.

DETAILS FOR BODEGA BAY TRIPS: SEPTEMBER 1 & 19:

DEPARTURE: 7 a.m. SHARP. The boat will not wait for latecomers. Check in with Debi at the dock. RATE: $218

RETURN: About 3:30 to 6:30 p.m., varies. Allow for delays of several hours. 

PARKING: is free in the large, dirt lot. Try to check out the location the day prior, as it can be confusing in the morning darkness. On Highway 1, heading north from Bodega Bay, proceed north of the Tide's Whart, past the Boat House restaurant on your left. Turn left, heading downhill at the large, brown sign for EAST SHORE ROAD. At the stop sign a the bottom of the hill, proceed straight to Port O' Bodega. It will seem as if you are heading out to the water. Park here. 

PRICE ADJUSTMENT: all pricing is based on current rates and may be adjusted at the dockside. If so, this fee will be collected at the dock, between $10-20/person, cash only. 

FOOD & DRINKS: Bring all of your food and drinks, including water. Nothing is available on the boat. No restaurants are open in the morning hours prior to departure. Dress VERY WARMLY. 

MOTELS: in this area can be fully booked and can be quite expensive. Bodega Coast Inn and Suites is only 5 minutes from the dock. You might try asking the manage for the "Shearwater Discount" which they sometimes honor. Bodega Harbor Inn is conveniently located. Be sure to ask about their refund policy. You might find the rate shocking, compared to what you get. The Inn at the Tides is very nice, especially if you have family members traveling with you who will not be doing the boat trip. Their rate includes breakfast, but it is not served early enough for you to partake of it. Cheaper motels can be found along the Highway 101 corridor. However,  be SURE to allow a minimum of one hour to get to the dock from any motel along Highway 101. The roads leading to the dock are winding, two lane and can be foggy in the morning. It is possible to get stuck behind a truck pulling a trailer with a boat on it, going only 30 mph. Birders have missed the boat by not allowing enough time to make this trip! Refunds are not available for "no shows" at the dock! NO eating facilities are open early enough in the morning in Bodega Bay for breakfast. Please plan accordingly.

GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE: Be sure to check toll details regarding crossing the bridge, even if you rent a car, if you are returning to San Francisco after the trip. The toll is only collected on the southbound trip. 

TRIP REPORT: AUG 30, 2013

IMAGES OF AUG 30, 2013 BY STEVE HOWELL

TRIP REPORT: SEP 20, 2013

BIRDERS SPEAK ABOUT THE EPIC SEP 20, 2013 TRIP

TRIP REPORT: OCT 18, 2013

BODEGA BAY IMAGES BY TODD MCGRATH

TRIP REPORT: SEP 21, 2012 WITH HAWAIIAN PETREL

BODEGA BAY IMAGES BY STEVE HOWELL

TRIP REPORT: OCT 26, 2012

TRIP REPORT: AUG 17, 2011

BODEGA BAY IMAGES BY ABE BORKER

EMERGENCY PELAGIC TRIP: OCT 29, 2011

TRIP REPORT: OCT 29, 2011

TRIP REPORT: SEP 15, 2010- COOK'S PETREL

TRIP REPORT: AUG 15, 2009- COOK'S & HAWAIIAN PETRELS

TRIP REPORT: SEP 18, 2009

TRIP REPORT: SEP 20, 2009

Whew! That's a lotta reading!

STORM-PETRELS FOREVER,

Debi Shearwater

IMAGES OF THE DAY BY STEVE N.G. HOWELL: AUGUST 30, 2013

HOWDY, SEABIRDERS, 

Please enjoy a few of STEVE N.G. HOWELL'S images, below, from the Shearwater Journeys' August 30, 2013 Bodega Bay pelagic trip. 

All images, copyright, Steve Howell. Please do not use without permission.

 One of more than 200 ASHY STORM-PETRELS, in the fog, above.

BLACK-FOOTED ALBATROSS, above. 

 

LONG-TAILED JAEGERS, above, putting on a show while the sun was out, above. 

 BLACK STORM-PETREL, above, breeds south of California.

FORK-TAILED STORM-PETREL, above, breeds north of California. 

 BULLER'S SHEARWATER, above. 

 LONG-TAILED JAEGER, above.

 SABINE'S GULLS, above and below.

 SABINE'S GULLS & LONG-TAILED JAEGERS, below.

 WILSON'S STORM-PETREL, below.

BLUE WHALE, the largest animal that has ever lived on Earth, below. 

Happy Trails,

Debi Shearwater

TRIP REPORT: AUGUST 30, 2013 BODEGA BAY SEABIRD SPANISH TAPAS

Howdy, Birders,

This is a trip report for Shearwater Journeys' August 30, 2013 pelagic trip departing from Bodega Bay. This nearly 12 hour trip experience a mixture of fall seabirds, much like Spanish tapas — appetizing bits and pieces, here and there. The serving of tapas is designed to encourage conversation because people are not so focused upon eating an entire meal. In some countries it is customary for diners to stand and move about while eating tapas. Well, that's exactly how this day went down. Great conversation. Outstanding showing of LONG-TAILED JAEGERS harassing flocks of SABINE'S GULLS. Nice, small rafts of ASHY STORM-PETRELS, while BLACK STORM-PETRELS and a few FORK-TAILED STORM-PETRELS, along with two WILSON'S STORM-PETRELS few into our oil slick. Loads and loads and loads of krill and schooling fish were visible on the fish finder. Krill of course meant that we saw BLUE WHALES. Numbers of RED PHALAROPES really jumped on this day. We did hit a nice "hard edge" of warm water, jumping from 58 to 60 degrees F. The question of the fall season remains: Where are the Cassin's Auklets? We should be seeing more of these alcids. They had a terrific breeding season at the Farallon Islands, laying eggs at a record early date, and double brooding, too. Wherever they are, I bet there's loads of krill there, too. 

One of the many SABINE'S GULLS that put on quite a show, above. 

LONG-TAILED JAEGERS were quite flashy. 

A raft of SABINE'S GULLS, below.

Fog was with us for most of the day, but we still had reasonable visibility. 

BLACK STORM-PETREL, above, and FORK-TAILED STORM-PETREL, below. 

All images by leader, Steve Tucker, copyright. Please do not use without permission.

To see Steve's blog, Bourbon, Bastards, and Birds, click here.

Many thanks to the birders who joined us from near and far. The leaders on this day were: Lisa Hug, Steve Howell, Steve Tucker, Jennifer Green and Debi Shearwater. 

The complete species list follows. We were in SONOMA COUNTY for almost all of the day.

AUGUST 30, 2013 SHEARWATER JOURNEYS' BODEGA CANYON TRIP:

WESTERN GREBE- 1

BLACK-FOOTED ALBATROSS- 24

NORTHERN FULMAR- 2

PINK-FOOTED SHEARWATER- 25

BULLER'S SHEARWATER- 32

SOOTY SHEARWATER- 237

WILSON'S STORM-PETREL- 2

FORK-TAILED STORM-PETREL- 15+

ASHY STORM-PETREL- 200+

BLACK STORM-PETREL- 8 to 10

BROWN PELICAN- 1 outside the harbor

BRANDT'S CORMORANT- +

DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT- +

PELAGIC CORMORANT- +

MALLARD- 3, offshore

WANDERING TATTLER- 1, in the harbor

WHIMBREL- 1, in the harbor

RUDDY TURNSTONE- 1, in the harbor

BLACK TURNSTONE- + in the harbor

SURFBIRD- + in the harbor

RED-NECKED PHALAROPE- 25

RED-NECKED/RED PHALAROPE- 500

RED PHALAROPE- 800

SOUTH POLAR SKUA- 1

POMARINE JAEGER- 3

POMARINE/PARASITIC JAEGER- 1

LONG-TAILED JAEGER- 21

CALIFORNIA GULL- 3

WESTERN GULL- 28

SABINE'S GULL- 35

ELEGANT TERN- 5

COMMON TERN- 2

COMMON MURRE- 510

PIGEON GUILLEMOT- 2

CASSIN'S AUKLET- 20

RHINOCEROS AUKLET- 15

CALIFORNIA SEA LION- +

STELLERS SEA LION- 1

BLUE WHALE- 6 to 8

HUMPBACK WHALE- 12 to 16

NORTHERN RIGHT WHALE DOLPHIN- 4

PACIFIC WHITE-SIDED DOLPHIN- 8

DALL'S PORPOISE- 4

Our next pelagic trips departing from Bodega Bay with spaces available are:

SEPTEMBER 20

OCTOBER 18

Hope to see you out there!

Shearwaters Forever,

Debi Shearwater