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.

41 YEARS OF CALIFORNIA SEABIRDING 

SHEARWATER JOURNEYS

Welcome to Shearwater Journeys, the premier seabirding company in North America which has served generations of birders. From Eureka in northern California to San Diego, Shearwater Journeys has, at one time or another offered offshore pelagic trips along the entire coastline. Indeed, we were the pioneers of such amazing trips to the Davidson Seamount in the 1970’s, now protected as part of the marine sanctuary. Many new seabird records for the State of California and North America have been discovered on our trips — more than any others, adding immensely to the avifauna data base. In recent years, we’ve concentrated our trips along the rich California Current, offering trips departing from Monterey, Half Moon Bay, and Sausalito. This is quite possibly the single most productive ocean area in the entire world. 

Forty years, thousands of trips, and tens of thousands of birders have joined our trips where we have observed hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of seabirds. There is no comparison. We have some 24 trips on offer for the coming fall season. Join the fun and exciting world of seabirds and marine mammals with Shearwater Journeys, the folks who have introduced generations of birders to this unique world. There is only one Shearwater Journeys! 

EXPEDITION VOYAGE: ENCHANTED GALAPAGOS, November 1- 14, 2017 is a charter voyage for only 15 guests. Join Debi as she returns to these fabulous islands. We shall target the endemic birds and wildlife, hiking on all of the key islands. UPDATE: Remarkably, this voyage sold out within 24 hours! I added second voyage, November 15 - 28, 2017 which has also sold out. We are now taking a WAITING LIST. To put your name on the wait list, please email Debi for more information: debi@shearwaterjourneys.com.

2016 CALENDAR OF TRIPS

May 27-Jun. 20 RUSSIA’S RING OF FIRE VOYAGE- SOLD OUT

Jun. 9 -20 RUSSIA’S SEA OF OKHOTSK VOYAGE- SOLD OUT                

Jul. 29, Fri. Monterey Bay: Albatrosses & Early Fall Seabirds $168

Aug. 6, Sat. Half Moon Bay: Albatrosses & Early Fall Seabirds $198

Aug. 7, Sun. Farallon Islands: Tufted Puffins & Breeding Seabirds $189

Aug. 13, Sat. Half Moon Bay: Albatrosses & Early Fall Seabirds $198

Aug. 14, Sun. Farallon Islands: Tufted Puffins & Breeding Seabirds $189

Aug. 19, Fri.   Half Moon Bay: Albatrosses & Fall Seabirds $198

Aug. 26, Fri. Monterey Bay: Albatrosses & Fall Seabirds $168

Sep. 3, Sat. Monterey Bay: Fall Seabird Classic $168

Sep. 4, Sun. Half Moon Bay: Albatrosses, Petrels & Storm-Petrels $198

Sep. 7, Wed. Monterey Seavalley: Fall Seabird Classic $168

Sep. 8, Thu. Monterey Bay: Fall Seabird Classic $168

Sep. 9, Fri. Monterey Seavalley: Fall Seabird Classic $168

Sep. 10, Sat. Albacore Grounds: Offshore Monterey $198

Sep. 11, Sun. Monterey Bay: Fall Seabird Classic $168

Sep. 15, Thu. Monterey Seavalley: Fall Seabird Classic $168

Sep. 16, Fri. Half Moon Bay: Fall Seabird Classic $198

 Sep. 23, Fri. Monterey Bay: Fall Seabird Classic $168

Sep. 24, Sat. Monterey Bay: Fall Seabird Classic $168

Sep. 25, Sun. Monterey Seavalley: Fall Seabird Classic $168

Oct. 1, Sat. Monterey Bay: Fall Seabird Classic $168

Oct. 2, Sun. Half Moon Bay: Fall Seabird Classic $198

Oct. 8, Sat. Monterey Bay: Fall Seabird Classic $168

Oct. 9, Sun. Half Moon Bay: Fall Seabird Classic $198

Oct. 16, Sun. Monterey Bay: Fall Seabird Classic $168

2017

Nov. 1-14 ENCHANTED GALAPAGOS ISLANDS VOYAGE $7990- SOLD OUT- TAKING WAITING LIST
Nov. 15-28: ENCHANTED GALAPAGOS ISLANDS VOYAGE $7990- SOLD OUT- TAKING WAITING LIST

The year 2015 was one of the single most amazing years along the central coast of California. We observed a record 20 species of tubenoses: albatrossses, petrels, shearwaters, and storm-petrels! One of many highlights was a WHITE-CHINNED PETREL on the September 15th Half Moon Bay trip that flew into the wake and sat on the water for 45 minutes! Our August 9th trip to the Farallon Islands not only saw scads of TUFTED PUFFINS, but also NORTHERN GANNET, BROWN BOOBY, and BLUE-FOOTED BOOBY! Our trips to the Farallon Islands have a 100% success rate in finding Tufted Puffins, and always sell out early. Departing from Sausalito on a very stable catamaran, we sail under the iconic Golden Gate Bridge for a unique perspective. Monterey Bay trips this past fall season were over the top with seabirds and lunge-feeding and breaching HUMPBACK WHALES. El Nino sent thousands of BLACK-VENTED SHEARWATERS to Monterey Bay and a handful of LEAST STORM-PETRELS. Every single day is completely different — just ask the folks who did 5 trips in a row from Monterey with us! Our friendly and knowledgable leaders are ready to enchance your day at sea! Join us!

DISCOUNTS: In recognition of our fourth decade of pelagic trips, we offer you a $40 per person, per trip discount on any Monterey trip on this schedule except for the September 10 Albacore trip; and a $20 per person, per trip discount on any Half Moon Bay and Farallon Island trip, if booked prior to JULY 1. Discounts must be deducted from your payment at the time of booking. All discounted trips are NON-REFUNDABLE for any reason. Note that all of our scheduled trips for 2014 and 2015 operated and none were canceled for lack of sign ups, neither were any of those trips weathered out. Many trips sold out well in advance: Farallon Islands, Albacore and many others. Book early!

RESERVATIONS: Payment, in full by check or money order, is required at the time of booking. Please include the name, home address, phone/email of each person in your party as required by the USCG. For payments outside of the USA, please email Debi. Send reservations to: Debi Shearwater, POB 190, Hollister, CA 95024. Email: debi@shearwaterjourneys.com. Please see our web site and blog for more information and updates. Please note: Debi will be out of the office from May 17 through June 24 while leading expedition voyages in the Russian Far East. You are encouraged to send in your reservation(s) during that period. Your reservation will be acknowledged after June 25. Looking forward to birding with you in our 41st year offshore! — Debi Shearwater

SHEARWATER JOURNEYS, INC.

PO BOX 190

HOLLISTER, CA 95024

debi@shearwaterjourneys.com

831.637.8527

www.shearwaterjourneys.com

http://shearwaterjourneys.blogspot.com

Brown Booby image by Beth Hamel, copyright, Farallon Islands, August 9, 2015.

Please do not use without permission.

FORTY YEARS of CALIFORNIA SEABIRDING

with

SHEARWATER JOURNEYS

Shearwater Journeys will celebrate its 40th year of seabirding this fall! 

And, we'd love to invite you to celebrate with us. 

From Crescent City in far northern California to San Diego — and places in between — Morro Bay, Santa Barbara, Monterey Bay, Half Moon Bay, Sausalito, Bodega Bay and Fort Bragg — Shearwater Journeys has offered more pelagic seabirding trips along the California coast for the past forty years than anyone. In our hey day, more than sixty trips per year departed for offshore destinations such as the Davidson Seamount, Cordell Bank, Bodega Canyon, Noyo Canyon Tanner & Cortez Banks, Arguello Canyon, Rodriguez Dome, and the Farallon Islands.

 Some 60,000+ birders and marine life enthusiasts have participated in thousands of Shearwater Journeys' pelagic trips over these past four decades. Participants, along with more than a hundred leaders over the years, have contributed an immense amount of data, advanced the progression of seabird field guides, fought for National Marine Sanctuaries collecting thousands of signatures, advocated for conservation laws, witnessed the return of the great whales from near decimation, seen the "return" of some seabirds such as Short-tailed Albatross and the decline of others, such as Sooty Shearwater and Ashy Storm-Petrel. 

We've discovered a long, long list "first" North American seabird records and found many rare-for-California seabirds. We've battled gill netting which killed thousands of Sooty Shearwaters and Common Murres, and won. We remember when Laysan Albatrosses did not nest on islands off Mexico! Marine mammals have not been neglected on our trips. We set the wheels in motion to rescue an entangled humpback whale only for the rescuers to be thwarted by the appearance of killer whales! We launched the first-ever in the world, blue whale tagging program with EarthWatch in mid-1980's. Beginning in the late 1970's, we collected the first of hundreds of killer whale images that would be used in ID catalogues. And, we're still at it today. 

And, we've been out there in the blue, at sea, during the biggest El Nino events of our lifetime, 1982-83 and 1998, during La Nina events and everything in between. The 1982-83 El Nino impacted every continent on Earth, and we saw events transpire in Monterey Bay that have never repeated. OH, wait a minute. I hear the red crabs are back, at least in SoCal: 

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/capital-weather-gang/wp/2015/06/17/red-crabs-swarm-southern-california-linked-to-warm-blob-in-pacific/

There's so much more. Indeed, I could write a book about the changes I've seen. Our roots are deep and vast much like a giant kelp forest moving with the currents. It  has been a long and winding journey — and, we could not have done it without you! I am, personally, grateful and thankful for every one of you, many of whom continue to ride the seas with us, four decades later! THANK YOU!

SHEARWATER JOURNEYS 2015 SCHEDULE OF TRIPS

CELEBRATE WITH US 40 YEARS!

MONTEREY BAY TRIPS:

JULY 31; AUGUST 7, 21; SEPTEMBER 5, 8, 0, 1O, 11, 13, 16, 25, 26, 27; OCTOBER 3, 10.

ALBACORE: OFFSHORE MONTEREY: SEPTEMBER 

HALF MOON BAY TRIPS: 

AUGUST 2, 8, 16; SEPTEMBER 6, 15; OCTOBER 4, 11.

FARALLON ISLANDS:

AUGUST 9: TUFTED PUFFINS

& BREEDING SEABIRDS - limited spaces available

OCTOBER 18: GREAT WHITE SHARKS & SEABIRDS

BODEGA BAY: 

SEPTEMBER 18: CORDELL BANK & BODEGA CANYON

DISCOUNTS: To celebrate our 40th year, we are offering a $40 discount on all Monterey Bay trips, except the Albacore trip, September 12th. We offer a $20 discount on our Half Moon Bay, Bodega Bay and Farallon Islands trips. All discounted trips are non-refundable, unless weathered out (unlikely) and must be postmarked by July 1. Act now!

LEADERS: Three to five friendly leaders, sometimes more, will accompany each trip to assist in searching for and pointing out seabirds. Most of our leaders have worldwide experience with seabirds. Some leaders have been leading for with us four decades! All leaders are volunteers. 

TRIP REPORTS: We track county lines and write eBird checklists for all of our trips. Most of our trips cover more than one county. For past trip reports including images and complete checklists, click here.

August 2nd has proved to be an auspicious date for HAWAIIAN PETREL: August 2, 2014 at Half Moon Bay, this petrel flew right up our wake only a few miles out of the harbor. August 2, 2013 at Monterey Bay, I spotted this petrel without bins, flying alongside our vessel with a load of Sooty Shearwaters only 8 miles off Point Pinos! Most of the Hawaiian Petrels that I've seen in central California have been less than 10 miles offshore, including three in one day out of Fort Bragg. Where will you be on August 2, 2015?

For me, there has never, ever been a dull moment. Never. If you sense a deep and abiding love of seabirds and marine mammals — 

Shearwaters Forever,

Debi Shearwater

debi@shearwaterjourneys.com

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

Now is traditionally the time we count our blessings and give thanks.

In that spirit, we want to thank you for joining Shearwater Journeys' seabird trips and worldwide expedition voyages.

We are grateful for your business.

Warm wishes for a very happy Thanksgiving,

Debi Shearwater

TRIP REPORT: OCTOBER 18, 2013 SEABIRDS OF CORDELL BANK & BODEGA CANYON

Howdy, Birders,

This is a trip report for Shearwater Journeys' ten hour, October 18, 2013 pelagic trip departing from Bodega Bay and heading offshore to the Bodega Canyon and Cordell Bank. The morning began with fog nearshore which pushed out once we were offshore, permitting excellent visibility. We were about 30 miles offshore when I put out a huge slick and chumming effort which attracted at least some 45 BLACK-FOOTED ALBATROSSES and hoards of NORTHERN FULMARS. At least three different LAYSAN ALBATROSSES made passes at the boat as well as two different FLESH-FOOTED SHEARWATERS and several SHORT-TAILED SHEARWATERS . Leaving the slick, we continued to the Cordell Bank area where a BROWN BOOBY (Sonoma County) was spotted with a smaller, mixed flock of gulls and shearwaters. We refound it a second time in Marin County. One quite lost CACKLING GOOSE was more than 25 miles offshore. It sat down on the sea, right next to our boat. A couple of HUMPBACK WHALES were making quite a commotion, flailing their tail flukes and pectoral flippers, while groups of PACIFIC WHITE-SIDED and NORTHERN RIGHT WHALE DOLPHINS were bowriding for over an hour. No storm-petrels were detected even though we traveled through the areas where we have seen them recently. Perhaps, they have retreated south to the Pioneer Canyon. We'll find out when we head offshore there on October 27th from Half Moon Bay. The sea surface temperature had plunged to 52 degrees F. Seas were quite favorable with a long period northwest swell. All in all, we had a wonderful, although somewhat chilly, day offshore. All images, below, by leader Jennifer Green. Please do not use without permission. 

 BROWN BOOBY, above. As described by one non-birder boat captain to me — pointed on all four corners — which this image clearly shows!

 FLESH-FOOTED SHEARWATER, above. 

 LAYSAN ALBATROSS, above. 

PACIFIC WHITE-SIDED DOLPHIN, above. Numerically, the most abundant cetacean in the Northern California Bight. 

Many thanks to all of the birders who joined us from near and far. The leaders on this day included: Steve Tucker, Jennifer Green, Lisa Hug, Debi Shearwater and Farley Connelly, chumming. 

The complete species list for SONOMA/MARIN COUNTIES follows.

OCTOBER 18, 2013 SHEARWATER JOURNEYS BODEGA CANYON & CORDELL BANK

RED-THROATED LOON- 2/3

PACIFIC LOON- 20/0

COMMON LOON- +, harbor

RED-NECKED GREBE- 2/0

EARED GREBE- 1/0

WESTERN GREBE- 20, harbor

LAYSAN ALBATROSS- 3/0

BLACK-FOOTED ALBATROSS- 48/20

NORTHERN FULMAR- 210/40

PINK-FOOTED SHEARWATER- 18/40

FLESH-FOOTED SHEARWATER- 1/1

BULLER'S SHEARWATER- 18/9

SOOTY SHEARWATER- 37/12, very low count, declining species

SHORT-TAILED SHEARWATER- 2/0, very low count, declining species

**BROWN BOOBY- 1/1, same individual in both counties

BROWN PELICAN- +

BRAND'TS CORMORANT- +

DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT- +

PELAGIC CORMORANT- +

SURF SCOTER- 300/0, outside of harbor

WHITE-WINGED SCOTER- 3/0, outside of harbor

*CACKLING GOOSE- 0/1

BLACK TURNSTONE- +

RED PHALAROPE- 2/1

SOUTH POLAR SKUA- 4/3

POMARINE JAEGER- 4/0

PARASITIC JAEGER- 1/0

BONAPARTE'S GULL- 1/1

HEERMANN'S GULL- +

MEW GULL- +

CALIFORNIA GULL- +

HERRING GULL- 10

THAYER'S GULL-1/0

WESTERN GULL- +

GLAUCOUS-WINGED GULL- 5

WESTERN/GLAUCOUS-WINGED- +

COMMON MURRE- 41/0

CASSIN'S AUKLET- 1/22

RHINOCEROS AUKLET- 19/20

PEREGRINE FALCON- 1/0, offshore at least 10 miles

CALIFORNIA SEA LION- +

NORTHERN FUR SEAL- 1

HUMPBACK WHALE- 3

NORTHERN RIGHT WHALE DOLPHIN- 45

PACIFIC WHITE-SIDED DOLPHIN- 125

DALL'S PORPOISE- 12

SPACES ARE STLL AVAILABLE THIS SEASON:

OCTOBER 25 MONTEREY BAY

OCTOBER 27 & NOVEMBER 16 HALF MOON BAY

JUMP ON BOARD!

SHEARWATERS FOREVER,

DEBI SHEARWATER

More Trips + More Leaders + More Seabirds = MORE FUN! 

Jump on board with Shearwater Journeys' Leaders!

September is here. The best days of seabirding are just around the corner. Like the BLACK-FOOTED ALBATROSS in the image above, being followed by SABINE'S GULLS, we at Shearwater Journeys, hope to lead you to the seabirds! I'm not sure about that little LONG-TAILED JAEGER, sitting on the water behind this crowd. Jump up, buddy! Don't miss the action. 

Shearwater Journeys offers more seabird trips than anyone else on the West Coast. In fact, Debi Shearwater is the only full time pelagic tour operator in the U.S.A. (world?) Thirty eight years of organizing offshore pelagic trips, from Crescent City to San Diego,  has given her a depth and breadth of unsurpassable experience off the California Coast. Beginning September 6th from Monterey, she will do sixteen pelagic trips from three different ports, taking over 1,000 birders offshore! This gives her a feel and handle on not only where the seabirds can be found, but also where not to head to look for them. Negative data is important, too! 

An amazing assemblage of leaders, some with decades of seabirding experience, and  most with worldwide seabirding experience, will be on board these trips. Below, please find our complete trip schedule for the remainder of 2013. Shearwater Journeys has always had a high number of leaders on board to provide you with a higher quality experience. Both beginners and "old salts" are welcome. 

Note: some trips listed as LIMITED SPACES AVAILABLE are nearly sold out. Email Debi for these trips, or to be added to the waiting list. Trips color-coded could be great for photographers who need more space on board the boat. These trips are not packed full, although all trips have enough reservations to "go." Do you have a favorite leader? Check it out. More leaders may be added to some trips. Leaders are subject to change. All leaders are volunteers. KEY: MTY= Monterey; HMB= Half Moon Bay; FI= Farallon Islands; Bodega Bay; Albacore trip departs from Monterey. RESERVATIONS: If booking at the last minute, email Debi: debi@shearwaterjourneys.com for assistance. 

SEPTEMBER & OCTOBER 2013

FRI. SEP 6 MTY: Clay Kempf, Rick Fournier, Jennie Duberstein, John Sorensen, Debi Shearwater

SAT. SEP 7 ALBACORE: Steve Tucker, Wes Fritz, Debi Shearwater

SUN. SEP 8 HMB: Steve Tucker, Steve Hampton, Tim Miller, Debi Shearwater

MON. SEP 9 HMB: Wes Fritz, Steve Tucker, Debi Shearwater

TUE. SEP 10 MTY: Tim Miller, Nick Levendosky, Wes Fritz, Debi Shearwater. Special Santa Cruz County trip = Guaranteed FUN! (departs from Monterey)

WED. SEP 11 MTY: Clay Kempf, Mary Gustafson, Debi Shearwater

THU. SEP 12 MTY: Jim Holmes, Nick Levendosky, Dave Pereksta, Mary Gustafson, Debi Shearwater- LIMITED SPACES AVAILABLE

FRI. SEP 13 MTY: Dave Pereksta, Mary Gustafson, Sophie Webb, Debi Shearwater's birthday!

SAT. SEP 14 MTY: Clay Kempf, Steve Rottenborn, Dave Pereksta, Mary Gustafson, Debi Shearwater

SUN. SEP 15, MTY: Dena Spatz, Mary Gustafson, Abe Borker, Tim Miller, Debi Shearwater

MON. SEP 16 HMB: Jim Holmes, Wes Fritz, Mary Gustafson, Debi Shearwater

FRI. SEP 20 BODEGA: Peter Pyle, Adam Searcy, Lisa Hug, Steve Howell, Steve Tucker, Debi Shearwater

SUN. SEP 22 HMB: Adam Searcy, Steve Tucker, Steve Hampton, Debi Shearwater

FRI. SEP 27 MTY: Rick Fournier, Tom Johnson, Dave Pereksta, Debi Shearwater- LIMITED SPACES AVAILABLE

SAT. SEP 28 HMB: Steve Rottenborn, Scott Terrill, Linda Terrill, Tom Johnson, Debi Shearwater

SUN. SEP 29 HMB: Tom Johnson, John Garrett, Tim Miller, Steve Hampton, Debi Shearwater

SAT. OCT 5 MTY: Clay Kempf, Scott Terrill, Linda Terrill, Adam Searcy, Tom Johnson, Debi Shearwater

SUN. OCT 6 HMB: Adam Searcy, Steve Tucker, Tom Johnson, Debi Shearwater- SOLD OUT

SUN. OCT 13 MTY: Steve Rottenborn, Clay Kempf, Scott Terrill, Linda Terrill, Rick Fournier, Debi Shearwater

FRI. OCT 18 BODEGA: Steve Tucker, Lisa Hug, Jennifer Green, Debi Shearwater

SUN. OCT 20 FI: Peter Pyle, Jim Holmes, Annie Schmidt, Debi Shearwater

FRI. OCT 25 MTY: Clay Kempf, Nick Levendosky, Jennifer Green, Marissa Ortega-Welch, Holly Poole-Kavana, Debi Shearwater

SUN. OCT 27 HMB: Scott Terrill, Linda Terrill, John Garrett, Abe Borker, Debi Shearwater

SAT. NOV 16 HMB: Todd McGrath, Tim Miller, Abe Borker, John Garrett, Debi Shearwater

WE CAN TAKE YOU OUT THERE! 

SHEARWATERS FOREVER,

DEBI SHEARWATER

Image at top by Steve Tucker, copyright. 

Please do not use without permission. 

Shearwater Logo by Keith Hansen, copyright. 

CORDELL BANK & BODEGA CANYON SEABIRD TRIPS

A small portion of a raft of FORK-TAILED STORM-PETRELS photographed by Dave Pereksta, copyright, near Bodega Canyon. This folk comprised 3000 FORK-TAILED STORM-PETRELS, 1000 ASHY STORM-PETRELS and 1000 BLACK STORM-PETRELS on September 21, 2012. As if that wasn't enough leader, Todd McGrath spotted a HAWAIIAN PETREL that zipped by! 

Since 1980 Shearwater Journeys has offered pelagic trips departing from Bodega Bay, north of Point Reyes and San Francisco. The vessel for our three departures this season will be the New Sea Angler, a 65' comfortable sport fisher that can accommodate 49 birders. This vessel is an excellent birding platform. Our captain, Rick Powers is intimately acquainted with birding and birders. 

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, SHY (three different times), LAYSAN, LIGHT-MANTELED ALBATROSSES; 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; 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). 

CORDELL BANK & BODEGA CANYON 2013 PELAGIC TRIPS:

AUG. 30, FRI.

SEP. 20, FRI.

OCT. 18, FRI.

DETAILS FOR BODEGA BAY TRIPS:

DEPARTURE: 7:00 a.m., SHARP.  The boat will not wait for latecomers. Check in with Debi at the dock. 

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

PARKING: is free in the large, dirt lot. Try to find 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 Tides' Wharf, 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 at 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 fees quoted are at the 2012 rates. A price adjustment of $10-20 per person may be collected, in cash only, at the dockside should rates increase. 

FOOD & DRINKS: Bring all of your food and drinks. Nothing is available on the boat. There are no restaurants open in the morning hours prior to departure.

MOTELS: in the area can be fully booked and can be expensive. Bodega Coast Inn and Suites is only 5 minutes from the dock. You might try asking the manager for the "Shearwater Discount" which they sometimes honor. Bodega Harbor Inn is conveniently located. Be sure to ask about their refund policy. And, the Inn at the Tides is very nice, if you have family members traveling with you who will not be doing the boat trip. 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 101. The two lane roads are winding, confusing and can be fogged in.  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! NO eating facilities are open in the morning hours in Bodega Bay. 

GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE: Be sure to check toll payment details regarding crossing the Golden Gate Bridge, if you plan to cross it when southbound.

Petrels forever,

Debi Shearwater