MONTEREY BAY PELAGIC TRIP: SEPTEMBER 3, 2016

IT'S A SMORGASBORD OUT THERE!

PELAGIC RED CRABS, SQUID, ANCHOVIES & KRILL

MONTEREY SEABIRDS & MARINE MAMMALS GALORE!

with

SHEARWATER JOURNEYS

This CALIFORNIA SEA LION escaped the jaws of a GREAT WHITE SHARK.

He is likely to recover from these wounds, but the shark lost out on its meal.

PELAGIC RED CRABS were evident in the harbor. 

This WESTERN GULL is enjoying a meal.

Just off Cannery Row, we encountered some RISSO'S DOLPHINS feeding on SQUID, above.

Our Captain, Tinker, caught some squid for us. Here's one, above. 

Just out side of the harbor (!) at least ten HUMPBACK WHALES were gorging on anchovies.

Hundreds of BLACK-VENTED SHEARWATERS along with 30-40 CALIFORNIA SEA LIONS

were also part of this feeding frenzy.

There is a Black-vented Shearwater in the above image, just above the "s" in the word, shearwater.

Off of Moss Landing, we observed KILLER WHALES in two groups: one group of two adult males, and another group of 4 females and young. 

The killer whales seemed to be looking for something to eat!

Offshore, we encountered a single LAYSAN ALBATROSS.

This appears to be the same individual which has showed up on two of our Half Moon Bay trips.

Laysan Albatross is always a treat and never expected.

Out in the deeper waters of the canyon edges, we ran into loads and loads of KRILL.

Three FIN WHALES were feeding on the krill.

Many BLACK-FOOTED ALBATROSSES followed the boat.

 This NORTHERN/PACIFIC FULMAR looks as though it summered in the area.

 PINK-FOOTED SHEARWATERS follow the boat in good numbers.

It seems that Pink-footed Shearwaters feed on a different prey item than Sooty Shearwaters. 

Hence, Sootys are found closer to shore, feeding on the anchovies. 

It was an altogether terrific day at sea!

Many thanks to all of the birders who traveled from near and far to join us on this day. The leaders were: NICK LEVENDOSKY, MARY GUSTAFSON, and DEBI SHEARWATER. 

THE COMPLETE SPECIES LIST FOR SHEARWATER JOURNEYS' SEPTEMBER 3, 2016 MONTEREY BAY PELAGIC TRIP FOLLOWS. 

MONTEREY/SANTA CRUZ COUNTIES:

LAYSAN ALBATROSS- 0/1

BLACK-FOOTED ALBATROSS- 17/28

NORTHERN/PACIFIC FULMAR- 1/0

PINK-FOOTED SHEARWATER- 250/120

BULLER'S SHEARWATER- 0/2

SOOTY SHEARWATER- 3500/100

BLACK-VENTED SHEARWATER- 285/7

BROWN PELICAN- 110/0

BRANDT'S CORMORANT- 270/1

DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT- 2/0

PELAGIC CORMORANT- 14/0

BLACK TURNSTONE- 3/0

SURFBIRD- 1/0

RED-NECKED PHALAROPE- 16/20

POMARINE JAEGER- 1/2

PARASITIC JAEGER- 1/1

HERRMANN'S GULL- 90/2

CALIFORNIA GULL- 185/70

WESTERN GULL- 300/45

SABINE'S GULL- 1/0

ELEGANT TERN- 90/2

COMMON TERN- 0/4

ARCTIC TERN- 0/1

COMMON MURRE- 1020/190

CASSIN'S AUKLET- 0/1

RHINOCEROS AUKLET- 1/2

PEREGRINE FALCON- 1, on the radio tower along Cannery Row, eating its prey

SEA OTTER- 4

CALIFORNIA SEA LION- 150

NORTHERN FUR SEAL- 1

FIN WHALE- 3

HUMPBACK WHALE- 25

KILLER WHALE- 6

RISSO'S DOLPHIN- 18

OCEAN SUNFISH- 2

UPCOMING TRIPS DEPARTING FROM MONTEREY BAY:

SEPTEMBER 7, 8, 9, 11, 14, 15, 23, 24, 25

OCTOBER 1, 8, 16

The SEP 10 ALBACORE TRIP IS SOLD OUT

UPCOMING TRIPS DEPARTING FROM HALF MOON BAY:

SEPTEMBER 16 & 18

OCTOBER 2 & 9

LIVING THE SALT LIFE,

Debi Shearwater

debi@shearwaterjourneys.com

Bird images by David Barton, copyright. 

Other images by Debi Shearwater, copyright.

TUFTED PUFFINS & THE GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE

FARALLON NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE

with 

SHEARWATER JOURNEYS

AUGUST 3, 2014 - SOLD OUT

Each year, Shearwater Journeys offers a trip to the Farallon Islands, the largest breeding seabird colony on the West Coast, south of Alaska. Our main target is the TUFTED PUFFIN, below. By departing from Sausalito, we travel under the GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE. In the morning, the bridge is often enshrouded in fog. On our return in the afternoon, we usually have gorgeous, sunny views of one of California's major icons. We also have excellent views of the lovely San Francisco skyline. 

Our trips have been a smashing success for more than a decade. Our rate of finding tufted puffins is 100%. Last year, our leaders, Peter Pyle and Sarah Allen did a Mammal Big Day for North America, breaking the record. This year, they plan to do it, again. 

This year's trip is SOLD OUT. You can be placed on the waiting list by emailing Debi: debi@shearwaterjourneys.com.

Or, you can plan for next year. 

AUGUST 9, 2015

OCTOBER 18, 2015

YES, we are bringing back the GREAT WHITE SHARK trip in October! 

Details for 2014 & 2015 Trips:

DATES: 

AUGUST 3, 2014; $177/person, WAIT LIST ONLY

AUGUST 8, 2015: $187/person.

OCTOBER 18, 2015: $187/person

DEPARTURE: 7:30 a.m. SHARP from the Clipper Yacht Harbor (map): 310 Harbor Drive, Sausalito

PARKING: $2/person, payable at the dock, cash to Debi. Do not park in front of the Fish Restaurant. You will be ticketed. Allow time to park and get to the dock. Check in with Debi at where the parking lot meets the dock. Price adjustments of $5-10/person might be needed at the dock, if fuel or other costs increase. There was no charge in 2013. 

VESSEL: OUTER LIMITS, a very stable and comfortable catamaran. (Google map here). 

CHECK IN: Please check in with Debi at the dock at 7:15 a.m. and pay the parking fee to her at that time. Allow 10 minutes to park and check in. 

Dress warmly, bring lunch and liquids. Take seasick prevention pill. This is a non-smoking trip. 

2013 TRIP REPORT

2012 TRIP REPORT

2011 TRIP REPORT

2010 TRIP REPORT

2009 TRIP REPORT

TUFTED PUFFINS & GREAT WHITE SHARKS FOREVER,

Debi Shearwater

All images by Debi Shearwater

TRIP REPORT: OCTOBER 20, 2013 FARALLON ISLANDS: SEABIRDS & GREAT WHITE SHARK?

Howdy, Birders,

This is a trip report for Shearwater Journeys' offshore trip departing from Sausalito to the Farallon National Wildlife Refuge, October 20, 2013. The main purpose of this trip was to attempt to see the great white sharks which are often found around the islands at this time of year. However, Nature being Nature, the great white shark failed to make an appearance. We did, however, enjoy a very pleasant day at sea with some nice highlights, including the continuing NORTHERN GANNET at Sugarloaf. BLACK-FOOTED ALBATROSS, NORTHERN FULMAR, BULLER'S SHEARWATERS (nearshore!), SHORT-TAILED SHEARWATER, SOUTH POLAR SKUA, RISSO'S DOLPHINS and HUMPBACK and BLUE WHALES were the highlights. Sailing under the GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE is always a highlight on this trip! We headed beyond the islands to the edge of the Continental Shelf where we encountered most of the seabirds on this day. Breeding season at the islands is long over, with few of the breeders around. Therefore, we did not expect to see any Tufted Puffins. And, we didn't. All images below, courtesy of Mark Rauzon, copyright. Please do not use without permission. Enjoy!

The GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE with the iconic SAN FRANCISCO SKYLINE. 

Leader, PETER PYLE, scanning for great white shark activity. We put in a solid 2.5 hours looking for sharks. There may have been some activity, as one flock of feeding birds quickly assembled, but it was not a kill. Rapidly forming bird flocks are the key give away for a great white kill. It just didn't happen.

This NORTHERN GANNET has been around the Farallon Islands for more than a year. It is the first record for the Pacific. Perhaps, it came through the Northwest Passage? It has not nested, contrary to reports elsewhere. What if it meets up with one of the many boobies that have shown up this year?

The great white shark researchers, above. Waiting. They never saw one, either, on this day. 

The divers and cage that they use to dive in to see the sharks. They never saw a great white on this day, either. Baiting of great white sharks is strictly forbidden. 

 

Farallon National Wildlife Refuge sign. Open for business! Landings, however, are strictly regulated on the islands. Primarily, researchers spend time at the islands. 

A RED-NECKED GREBE, flying at the islands, a rare bird out there. 

Recent northwest frontal systems have brought a good influx of NORTHERN FULMARS, above.

 SHORT-TAILED SHEARWATER, above, a declining species. The "old" name, SLENDER-BILLED SHEARWATER, was perhaps, more appropriate. 

 A young, SOUTH POLAR SKUA, sat on the water for a long time, providing excellent views. 

Returning to the harbor, heading under the Golden Gate Bridge, again — this time in sunshine. Folks getting photographs, above. 

 

Leader, ANNIE SCHMIDT, who just completed her Phd. Congratulations, Annie!

Happy Birders, above, with my friend, Marilyn. 

Many thanks of all of the birders who traveled from near and far to join this special trip. Despite missing the great white sharks, we had a beautiful day at sea. The leaders on this trip were: Peter Pyle, Jim Holmes, Annie Schmidt and Debi Shearwater. 

The complete species list for SAN FRANCISCO/MARIN COUNTIES follows.

OCTOBER 20, 2013 SHEARWATER JOURNEYS FARALLON NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE:

COMMON LOON- 2/2

RED-NECKED GREBE- 1/0, offshore at the island

WESTERN GREBE- +

BLACK-FOOTED ALBATROSS- 1/0

NORTHERN FULMAR- 100/10

PINK-FOOTED SHEARWATER- 80/0

BULLER'S SHEARWATER- 60/0, many just outside of Golden Gate

SOOTY SHEARWATER- 25/0, declining species

SHORT-TAILED SHEARWATER- 1/0, declining species

** NORTHERN GANNET- 1/0

BROWN PELICAN- +

BRANDT'S CORMORANT- +

DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT- +

PELAGIC CORMORANT- 25/0

SURF SCOTER- 100/200

WHITE-WINGED SCOTER- 0/1

NORTHERN SHOVELER- 8/0, offshore

CACKLING GOOSE- 5/0, offshore

BLACK OYSTERCATCHER- 7/0

BLACK TURNSTONE- 2, inside the bay

RED PHALAROPE- 2/0

SOUTH POLAR SKUA- 1/0

POMARINE JAEGER- 3/1

PARASITIC JAEGER- 1/0

BONAPARTE'S GULL- 8/0

HEERMANN'S GULL- +

CALIFORNIA GULL- +

HERRING GULL- 2/0

WESTERN GULL- +

GLAUCOUS-WINGED GULL- 5/0

ELEGANT TERN- 50/0

FORSTER'S TERN- 1/0

COMMON MURRE- 400/50

CASSIN'S AUKLET- 22/0

RHINOCEROS AUKLET- 15/0

CALIFORNIA SEA LION- +

STELLER'S SEA LION- 20

NORTHERN FUR SEAL- 200

NORTHERN ELEPHANT SEAL- 8

HARBOR SEAL- +

BLUE WHALE- 1

HUMPBACK WHALE- 2

RISSO'S DOLPHIN- 12

HARBOR PORPOISE- 40

OCEAN SUNFISH- 1

BLUE SHARK- 1

SPACES ARE STILL AVAILABLE ON OUR LAST TRIPS OF THE FALL SEASON:

OCTOBER 25 MONTEREY BAY 

with 

Nick Levendosky, Clay Kempf, Jennifer Green, Debi Shearwater, Marissa Ortega-Welch, Holly Poole-Kavana

OCTOBER 27 HALF MOON BAY 

with 

Scott Terrill, Linda Terrill, John Garrett, Debi Shearwater

NOVEMBER 16 HALF MOON BAY 

with 

Todd McGrath, Scott Terrill, Linda Terrill, Tim Miller, Abe Borker, Debi Shearwater

Shearwaters Forever,

Debi Shearwater

WANTED: TUFTED PUFFIN & GREAT WHITE SHARK

FARALLONES ISLANDS TRIPS 

with

SHEARWATER JOURNEYS

AUGUST 4 & OCTOBER 20

Shearwater Journeys has scheduled two trips to visit the Farallones Islands, Sunday, August 4 and Sunday, October 20. Early August is prime time to see the splendid Tufted Puffin and other breeding seabirds of the islands. These islands represent the largest breeding seabird colony south of Alaska on the West Coast. Participants on the 2012 August trip were thrilled to see a NORTHERN GANNET! Or course, the 45 HUMPBACK WHALES and 5 BLUE WHALES were none to shabby! While our 2011 trip was not too shabby either, finding a BROWN BOOBY and LAYSAN ALBATROSS! We never know what we'll find, but we always find the TUFTED PUFFINS! This trip sells out, in advance, every year. Please book early.

October 20 is a good time to hope to see GREAT WHITE SHARKS, an apex marine predator. Please keep in mind that this is nature, and not a multimillion dollar amusement park where nature jumps out on cue. The October 20 trip has only 4 SPACES AVAILABLE! Please send your reservation as soon as possible. Reservations will be taken by postmark date. 

Leader, Peter Pyle will be on board for both trips. Peter has a deep knowledge of all Farallones Island life. He has witnessed many Great White Shark encounters. 

Details for both trips:

AUGUST 4: $167/person- SOLD OUT. WAITING LIST ONLY. EMAIL DEBI.

OCTOBER 20: $196/person-SPACES AVAILABLE! 

DEPARTURE: 7:30 a.m. sharp from the Clipper Yacht Harbor (map): 310 Harbor Drive, Sausalito.

PARKING: $2 payable in cash only at the dock. Do not park in front of the Fish Restaurant. You will be ticketed. Allow time to park and get to the dock. Price adjustment for fuel, or other costs payable at the dock. In 2012, this was $10/person for both.

VESSEL: OUTER LIMITS, a very stable catamaran. (Google map here). 

Check in: Please check in with Debi no later than 7:15 and pay the parking fee to her at the dock. Allow 10 minutes to park and check in. 

Dress warmly & bring lunch & drinks. Take a seasick prevention pill. This is a non-smoking trip. 

Outer Limits, above.

Tufted Puffins & Great White Sharks Forever,

Debi

SHEARWATER JOURNEYS 2013 CALENDAR

Greetings, Seabirders,

Shearwater Journeys is pleased to announce the 2013 program of pelagic trips. The year 2012 was filled with a great variety of seabirds and marine mammals. HAWAIIAN PETREL, spotted by sharp-eyed seabirder, Todd McGrath, was a highlight of the September 21 Bodega Bay pelagic trip. Highlights of 2011 included a GREAT-WINGED PETREL on August 26, Monterey Bay, seen again, on September 17, Half Moon Bay and a GREAT SHEARWATER on July 30, Half Moon Bay. LAYSAN ALBATROSS, pictured above, was seen on many of our trips. Of course, many of the "regular" fall migrants were recorded throughout the season. These will be summarized in future blog posts.Whether you are new to seabirding, or a seasoned "salt" or a keen photographer,  Shearwater Journeys invites you to join our outstanding and friendly leaders to witness the soaring albatrosses on our offshore trips. 

RESERVATIONS: Payment, in full by check or money order is required at the time of booking. For folks from outside of the USA or Canada, please contact Debi for assistance with reservations. Please note: The rates on this schedule are the same as the 2012 rates! Fuel has increased steadily for the past 36 days in California. There is no telling where or when it will stop. Therefore, some boat owners have not yet set their summer/fall rates. A fuel surcharge may be necessary at the dockside to cover any forthcoming increases. Please include the full name, address, phone/email of each person in your party when making a reservation. This is required by the United States Coast Guard. Please note: Debi will be out of the office from June 4 through July 10. For more information, please contact Debi at: debi@shearwaterjourneys.com; 831-637-8527. Send your reservation to: Shearwater Journeys, PO Box 190, Hollister, CA 95024. Spaces are currently available on all trips. When a trip is sold out, it will be listed as "Sold Out" on this blog and on the web site.

Wishing you shearwaters and albatrosses and fare seas!

—Debi Shearwater

SHEARWATER JOURNEYS

2013

JUNE 28 - JULY 9  SVALBARD HIGH ARCTIC WILDLIFE CHARTER  SOLD OUT

Jul. 27, Sat.            Half Moon Bay: Cook's Petrel Express-$186
Jul. 28, Sun.           Half Moon Bay: Cook's Petrel Express- $186
Aug. 2, Fri.            Monterey Bay: Albatrosses & Early Fall Seabirds- $154
Aug. 4, Sun.          Farallones Islands: Tufted Puffins & Breeding Seabirds- $167
Aug. 9, Fri.            Monterey Bay: Albatrosses & Early Fall Seabirds- $154
Aug. 11, Sun.        Half Moon Bay: Cook's & Hawaiian Petrel Express- $186
Aug. 16, Fri.          Monterey Bay: Albatrosses & Early Fall Seabirds- $154
Aug. 17, Sat.          Half Moon Bay: Cook's & Hawaiian Petrel Express- $186
Aug. 18, Sun.         Half Moon Bay: Cook's & Hawaiian Petrel Express- $186
Aug. 23, Fri.           Monterey Bay: Albatrosses & Early Fall Seabirds- $154
Aug. 25, Sun.         Half Moon Bay: Cook's & Hawaiian Petrel Express- $186
Aug. 30, Fri.           Bodega Canyon & Cordell Bank Fall Seabirds- $198
Aug. 31, Sat.          Half Moon Bay: Cook's & Hawaiian Petrel Express- $186
Sep. 1, Sun.            Half Moon Bay: Cook's & Hawaiian Petrel Express- $186
Sep. 6, Fri.              Monterey Bay: Fall Seabird Classic- $154
Sep. 7, Sat.             Albacore Grounds: Offshore Monterey- $192
Sep. 8, Sun.            Half Moon Bay: Albatrosses, Petrels & Storm-Petrels- $186
Sep. 9, Mon.           Half Moon Bay: Albatrosses, Petrels & Storm-Petrels- $186
Sep. 10, Tue.          Monterey Bay: Fall Seabird Classic- $154
Sep. 11, Wed.         Monterey Bay: Fall Seabird Classic- $154
Sep. 12, Thu.          Monterey Seavalley: Fall Seabird Classic- $154
Sep. 13, Fri.            Monterey Bay: Fall Seabird Classic- $154
Sep. 14, Sat.           Monterey Seavalley: Fall Seabird Classic- $154
Sep. 15, Sun.          Monterey Bay: Fall Seabird Classic- $154
Sep. 16, Mon.         Half Moon Bay: Albatrosses & Storm-Petrels- $186
Sep. 20, Fri.            Bodega Canyon & Cordell Bank: Offshore- $198
Sep. 22, Sun.          Half Moon Bay: Albatrosses & Storm-Petrels- $186
Sep. 27, Fri.            Monterey Bay: Fall Seabird Classic- $154
Sep. 28, Sat.           Half Moon Bay: Albatrosses & Storm-Petrels- $186
Sep. 29, Sun.          Half Moon Bay: Albatrosses & Storm-Petrels- $186
Oct. 5, Sat.              Monterey Bay: Fall Seabird Classic- $154
Oct. 6, Sun.            Half Moon Bay: Albatrosses & Storm-Petrels- $186
Oct. 13, Sun.          Monterey Bay: Fall Seabird Classic- $154
Oct. 18, Fri.            Bodega Canyon & Cordell Bank: Offshore- $198
Oct. 20, Sun.          Farallones Islands: Seabirds & Great White Shark- $196
Oct. 25, Fri.            Monterey Bay: Late Fall & Early Winter Seabirds- $154
Oct. 27, Sun.          Half Moon Bay: Late Fall & Early Winter Seabirds- $186
Nov. 16, Sat.          Half Moon Bay: Late Fall & Early Winter Seabirds- $186

2014

Nov. 9-25 BIRDING DOWN UNDER: 

NEW ZEALAND'S SUB-ANTARCTIC ISLANDS EXPEDITION VOYAGE with DEBI SHEARWATER

Limited berths available. Please contact Debi: debi@shearwaterjourneys.com

REAL BIRDS EAT SQUID,

Debi Shearwater

Laysan Albatross image, copyright, Todd McGrath. Please ask permission to use.

        

WANTED: TUFTED PUFFIN & GREAT WHITE SHARK

FARALLON ISLANDS PELAGIC TRIPS

with

SHEARWATER JOURNEYS

AUGUST 5 & SEPTEMBER 30

Every year, Shearwater Journeys' pelagic trip in early August to the Farallon Islands sells out early. Heading under the Golden Gate Bridge to these protected offshore islands, home to the largest breeding seabird colony in the United States, south of Alaska, we aim to see the islands icon species, the TUFTED PUFFIN. We have a 100% success rate for finding these amazing alcids which nest in holes and crevices on the cliff facings. Last year's trip added two "bonus birds"— a BROWN BOOBY and LAYSAN ALBATROSS. This year, in addition to the AUGUST 5 trip, we've added a second trip on SEPTEMBER 30th. Although this will be the post-breeding season, we hope to encounter a GREAT WHITE SHARK, as this is the time of year when they show up.

We'll have lunch near the residents' homes. These breeding islands are strictly protected, and we cannot land.

Like the KILLER WHALE, which we have often observed on these trips (August 8, 2010), the GREAT WHITE SHARK is a top predator. I urge you to read Peter Pyle's account of the "History of PRBO Research on White Sharks." We'll have to have some luck to see a White Shark, but it could happen. Late September and October is the best time of year to hope for a sighting.

If time and weather conditions allow, we'll head beyond the islands to the edge of the continental shelf, where we hope to find jaegers, Sabine's Gull, Arctic Tern and Black-footed Albatross. A Laysan Albatross flew up our stern on the 2011 trip to the delight of all! Images, above, Parasitic Jaeger and below, Laysan Albatross, copyright, Tony Brake.

This year's trip details are below. Sign up early to avoid disappointment!

August 5 Leaders: Debi Shearwater & Jennifer Green. SOLD OUT. WAIT LIST ONLY.

September 30 Leaders: Peter Pyle, Russ Bradley, Annie Schmidt, Debi Shearwater

Fee: $157 per person. This trip is SOLD OUT. WAIT LIST ONLY.

Departure: 7:30 a.m. from Clipper Yacht Harbor (map); 310 Harbor Drive, Sausalito

Vessel: Outer Limits, a very stable catamaran (Google map here).

Return: Approximately 3-4:30 p.m.

Parking fee: $2 per person. Do not park in front of the Fish Restaurant.

Check in: Please check in with Debi at 7:15 a.m. and pay the parking fee to her at the dock. Allow at least 10 minutes to park and check in.

Dress warmly & bring lunch & drinks. Take a seasick pill. This is a non-smoking trip.

Puffins & White Sharks Forever,

Debi Shearwater