FLESH-FOOTED SHEARWATER: SEP 9, 2011

Howdy, Birders,

I forgot to include the FLESH-FOOTED SHEARWATER (Puffinus carneipes) in my recap of the September trips. This bird was seen on the September 9, 2011 Monterey Bay trip. The image below was made by John Schwarz, copyright. It is a difficult shearwater to photograph, as they are often flying by. Flesh-footed Shearwaters breed on the Chicken Islands, Mercury Island and other New Zealand islands. They eat squid and fish. This species is not common. In fact, we call it a "one in 10 trip shearwater," meaning that one generally needs to do at least 10 trips to observe this shearwater. Peter LaTourette has some nice images of this species, here.

Shearwaters forever,

Debi Shearwater

AKA "Annie Auklet" as played by Angelica Huston, in the 20th Century Fox movie, "The Big Year" opening October 14th in a theater near you!

SEPTEMBER SHEARWATER JOURNEYS RECAP OF TRIPS

Howdy, Birders,

Between September 8 and 26 Shearwater Journeys offered fifteen successful pelagic trips from three ports: Monterey, Half Moon Bay and Bodega Bay. Some 552 birders participated in these trips, including the trips for the Monterey Bay Birding Festival, held this past weekend. Leaders on these trips included: Clay Kempf, Jennifer Green, Rick Fournier, Scott Terrill, Linda Terrill, Morten Joergensen, Kate Goldberg, Wes Fritz, Dena Spatz, Lisa Hug, Steve Howell, Peter Pyle, David Wimpfheimer, Tristan McKee, Abe Borker, Russell Bradley, Annie Schmidt, Joe Morlan, Dave Pereksta, Melinda Conners, Adam Fox, Adam Searcy and Debi Shearwater. Participants hailed from Canada, Belgium, The Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, England and 32 states.

Highlights were many, with all of the usual fall seabirds observed during the period. The GREAT-WINGED PETREL was observed by a lucky few birders only 7 miles offshore on the September 17th Half Moon Bay trip. This may well be the same individual Great-winged Petrel as seen on our August 26th Monterey Bay trip. A beautiful adult BROWN BOOBY flew into the wake on the September 9th Monterey Bay trip. A MANX SHEARWATER was spotted, sitting amongst a raft of Sooty Shearwaters on the September 11th Monterey Bay trip. Two LAYSAN ALBATROSSES were found on the September 14th Bodega Bay trip, along with 6 Wilson's, 150 Fork-tailed, 200 Ashy and 12 Black Storm-Petrels. Another LAYSAN ALBATROSS was observed on the September 16th Half Moon Bay trip. "Bonus" TUFTED PUFFINS were spotted on several trips from Monterey and Half Moon Bay and the September 14th Bodega Bay trip. It was an incredible month for seabirds. Many of the Half Moon Bay departures enjoyed excellent views of MARBLED MURRELETS as well as close-up views of the rocky shorebirds: SURFBIRD, WANDERING TATTLER, BLACK OYSTERCATCHER.

Fall migration continues throughout October which could shape up to be a very good month. Winter seabirds should be arriving by mid-October through November. Spaces are available on the following trips:

MONTEREY: OCT 1, 8, 16; NOV 27

HALF MOON BAY: OCT 2, 15; NOV 22

BODEGA BAY: OCT 14

For reservations, please contact Debi Shearwater at: debi@shearwaterjourneys.com

Shearwaters forever,

Debi

AKA "Annie Auklet" as played by Angelica Huston in the 20th Century Fox movie, "The Big Year" opening at a theater near you on October 14th!

I hope you will enjoy John Schwarz's images from Shearwater Journeys' September 10, 11, 14 and 18 trips. All images copyright, John Schwarz. Please do not use without permission.

Parasitic Jaeger

Sabine's Gull

Red Phalarope

Pink-footed Shearwater

South Polar Skua

Manx Shearwater

Cassin's Auklet

Long-tailed Jaeger

Laysan Albatross

Black-footed Albatross

Buller's Shearwater

Black Storm-Petrel

Fork-tailed Storm-Petrel

Ashy Storm-Petrel

THE BIG YEAR: MONTEREY BAY BIRDING FESTIVAL

Hello, Birders,

At 7 p.m. I will be presenting a program, titled, The Big Year: How Did We Get Here?" at the Monterey Bay Birding Festival. If you are in the area, please join me.

For more information about Angelica Huston who will play the part of me, in this 20th Century Fox movie, please click here. The movie is scheduled to be released on October 14th. I hope that you will enjoy it!

Auklets forever,

Annie Auklet

SAN BENITO COUNTY: Fall Migration

Hello, Birders,

A few recent miscellaneous birds in SAN BENITO COUNTY:

At Paicines Reservoir: for 20 September: 2 COMMON TERNS (fourth county record) were present at 4:45 pm; a single PRAIRIE FALCON landed on the far side fence, then popped down to the water's edge to drink; for 21 September: 9 NORTHERN SHOVELERS, 6 RUDDY DUCKS, 3 CINNAMON TEAL, 2 WHITE PELICANS, 2 YELLOW WARBLERS were present. Shorebird habitat continues to be present and has increased in size at the reservoir— LEAST SANDPIPERS and one BLACK-NECKED STILT, along with Greater Yellowlegs present.

On Quien Sabe Road between Highway 25 and the intersection of Santa Ana Valley Road: 1 PRAIRIE FALCON was present and 1 YELLOW-BILLED MAGPIE on 21 September. Look for this falcon in this area, and closer to the intersection with Santa Ana Valley Road. It has been there for several weeks.

On Highway 25 a ROADRUNNER was carrying prey across the road near mile marker 8.58 south of Bolado Park on 21 September.

On Santa Ana Valley Road: an immature GOLDEN EAGLE was present both 20 & 21 September. Two CASSIN'S KINGBIRDS were near the mailbox #1048 near Lightning Tree Ranch on 20 September. They usually hang out in this area.

At Maple and Chappell Streets, near the post office, 2 YELLOW WARBLERS were high in the trees, 21 September.

At Vista Hill Park in downtown Hollister, an adult CALIFORNIA GULL was flying southeast.

Happy fall migration,

Debi Shearwater

AKA: Annie Auklet in the movie, "The Big Year" See it October 14th in a theater near you!

Debra Shearwater

Shearwater Journeys, Inc.

PO Box 190

Hollister, CA 95024

831.637.8527

debi@shearwaterjourneys.com

www.shearwaterjourneys.com

www.shearwaterjourneys.blogspot.com

SVALBARD: High Arctic Seabirds & Polar Bears, Walrus: 28 June-8 July, 2013

GREAT-WINGED PETREL, AGAIN! TRIP REPORT: SEPTEMBER 17, 2011 HALF MOON BAY

Howdy, Birders,

Shearwater Journeys' pelagic trip from Half Moon Bay today was a loads of fun! Ace seabirder, Phil Hansbro who hails from Newcastle, Australia, shouted out, "GREAT-WINGED PETREL" at 0940 as the pterodroma was zipping along from the stern to the bow, only 7 miles off the San Mateo County coast. Wow! Few shearwaters or other tubenoses were in sight. This represents the fifth sighting of Great-winged Petrel (Pterodroma macroptera gouldi) for North America and the Northern Hemisphere. Most folks on board missed the petrel, although a few did see it. Leader and San Mateo County birder, Tristan McKee did see the petrel. In a matter of seconds it was gone. Although we laid out a slick, it did not return. Such is seabirding!

Other highlights of the day included great views and photo ops of a CASSIN'S AUKLET near the harbor, MARBLED MURRELETS and TUFTED PUFFINS!

Phil Hansbro, above. Check out his web site, here.

The day began a lot better than yesterday, with much improved sea conditions. Above is the weather buoy and a heard of California Sea Lions nearby, trying to figure out how to jump on the buoy!

One Steller's Sea Lion, above, was with this gang!

That's Doug Koch, above. And, yes, that's two cameras in his hands! He did see the Great-winged Petrel!

Chris Hitt, above, completed a Big Year in the lower 48 states in 2010, setting the record at 704.

Folks had a lazy, sunny afternoon.

We thank the folks who came from near and far (Australia & the UK) to join us. Many folks have joined us on multiple trips, including several trips from Half Moon Bay and our Bodega Bay trip, September 14th. The leaders on this day were: Scott Terrill, Linda Terrill, Tristan McKee and Debi Shearwater.

The complete species list of the September 17, 2011 Shearwater Journeys' pelagic trip from Half Moon Bay follows. All birds are for San Mateo County.

RED-THROATED LOON- 1

PACIFIC LOON- 3

COMMON LOON- 4

WESTERN GREBE- 46

BLACK-FOOTED ALBATROSS- 11

NORTHERN FULMAR- 85

*GREAT-WINGED PETREL- 1

PINK-FOOTED SHEARWATER- 95

BULLER'S SHEARWATER- 26

SOOTY SHEARWATER- 180

FORK-TAILED SHEARWATER- 1

ASHY STORM-PETREL- 3

BROWN PELICAN- 45

BRANDT'S CORMORANT- 230

DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT- 75

PELAGIC CORMORANT- 4

SANDERLING- 60, on the jetty

BLACK OYSTERCATCHER- 2, on the jetty

BLACK TURNSTONE- 18, on the jetty

SURFBIRD- 16, on the jetty

WILLET- 12, on the jetty

RED PHALAROPE- 9

SOUTH POLAR SKUA- 4

POMARINE JAEGER- 5

PARASITIC JAEGER- 9

LONG-TAILED JAEGER- 2

HEERMANN'S GULL- 80

CALIFORNIA GULL- 35

WESTERN GULL- 250

SABINE'S GULL- 32

ELEGANT TERN- 4

COMMON TERN- 1, just outside the harbor

COMMON MURRE- 76

PIGEON GUILLEMOT- 1

MARBLED MURRELET- 4

CASSIN'S AUKLET- 8 (1 gave terrific photo-ops, just inside the harbor)

RHINOCEROS AUKLET- 12

TUFTED PUFFIN- 2

GREAT BLUE HERON- 1

CALIFORNIA SEA LION- 50, most at the weather buoy

STELLER'S SEA LION- 1, at the weather buoy

NORTHERN FUR SEAL- 1

HARBOR SEAL- 6

HUMPBACK WHALE- 3

NORTHERN RIGHT WHALE DOLPHIN- 200

PACIFIC WHITE-SIDED DOLPHIN- 75

HARBOR PORPOISE- 13

OCEAN SUNFISH- 12

Above, Phil Hansbro meets up with three SoCal birding friends! Phil was hoping to see Ashy Storm-Petrel for a life bird, which he did do. Tomorrow, we hope to find hoards of storm-petrels, as the sea conditions are forecast for continued improvement. Images of the seabirds of the day will follow later. No images of the Great-winged Petrel were obtained.

Pterodromas forever,

Debi Shearwater

AKA: Annie Auklet, played by Angelica Huston, in the 20th Century Fox movie, "The Big Year" opening 14 October!

IMAGES OF THE DAY by Brian Sullivan: SEPTEMBER 11, 2011 INCLUDING MANX SHEARWATER

Howdy, Birders,

Monterey Bay's seabirds put on quite the show, September 11, 2011 on the Shearwater Journeys' pelagic trip. Immediately upon departure from the dock, it was apparent that there had been a dramatic change, overnight. The first Northern Fulmar was sighted, sitting on the water at the Coast Guard Jetty! I hope you will enjoy Brian Sullivan's images of this spectacular day, below. All images copyright, Brian Sullivan. Please do not use without permission.

Just outside of the harbor, massive flocks of feeding Sooty Shearwaters swirled.

Generally, we use the Sooty Shearwater as the "standard" shearwater and an aid to identifying other shearwaters. The dark belly and pale grayish wing-linings distinguish a Sooty Shearwater.

In my experience, most of these swirling flocks are quite homogenous containing only Sooty Shearwaters. However, it is not long before the first Pink-footed Shearwater, below, makes an appearance.

Just outside of Point Pinos, the first of many Black-footed Albatrosses, below, shows up. Typically, this demands that we stop the boat for birders and photographers to enjoy these great seabirds.

Stopping the boat is akin to stopping on a trail, when birding on land. Often times when one does this, one notices other birds! And, so it is, on the ocean as well. A gorgeous Sabine's Gull flies into the wake, below.

Sabine's Gulls are often quickly followed by any number of jaegers. Below, is a Long-tailed Jaeger.

Many Pomarine Jaegers, below, come to investigate the activity.

We enjoyed a great time heading north, finding 1000+ Ashy Storm-Petrels, two Fork-tailed Storm-Petrels and one Wilson's Storm-Petrel. Soon, it was time to return to the harbor. Flocks of Sooty Shearwaters were on the water. Brian spotted a Manx Shearwater, below, in one of these flocks. Manx Shearwater is a rarely seen bird at Monterey Bay and off California.

At the very end of the day, we saw a partial albino Sooty Shearwater. These birds are quite common, but rarely photographed. It requires a combination of a highly skilled seabirder and photographer. Some of these partial albino shearwaters are quite startling! This one is the "pied" shearwater, above and below. Other species of shearwaters can also appear as partial albinos. So, it is best not to simply assume that they are all Sooty Shearwaters!

This was a fabulous day of seabirds, Humpback Whales and Risso's Dolphins. You can enjoy more of Brian's images at his flickr web site, here.

Happy Trails,

Debi Shearwater

AKA Annie Auklet

Pelagic trips: Brief Highlights

Hello, Birders,

Some brief highlights from our recent trips:

SEPTEMBER 10TH: Shearwater Journeys' albacore trip went to Sur Canyon where we found 60.1 F sea surface temperatures! Highlights were 7 SOUTH POLAR SKUAS and all three species of jaegers, including 35 LONG-TAILED JAEGERS.

SEPTEMBER 11TH: A particularly beautiful day which was great for photography. Overnight, thousands of shearwaters and other seabirds moved into the inner reaches of Monterey Bay, including flocks of feeding SOOTY SHEARWATERS just outside of the harbor and many PARASITIC JAEGERS. Highlights included a MANX SHEARWATER sighted by Brian Sullivan, sitting on the water with a flock of Sooty Shearwaters, including one partial albino Sooty. It was well photographed and seen by all on board. Other highlights included 1 SOUTH POLAR SKUA and all three species of jaegers; 1 WILSON'S STORM-PETREL, 2 FORK-TAILED STORM-PETRELS and 1225 ASHY STORM-PETRELS, including one partial albino.

Spaces are available on tomorrow's trip departing from Monterey! Spaces are also available on Wednesday's trip departing from Bodega Bay and on Monday, September 19th, departing from Half Moon Bay. The September 16, 17 and 18 Half Moon Bay trips are SOLD OUT.

Spaces are available on all of the pelagic trips for the Monterey Bay Birding Festival, September 22, 23, 24, 25, 26. For reservations, please email me.

Shearwaters forever,

Debi Shearwater

AKA Annie Auklet, in the movie, "The Big Year", opening October 14th.

SEPTEMBER 9, 2011: IMAGES OF THE BROWN BOOBY, MONTEREY BAY

Howdy, Birders,

A beautiful adult BROWN BOOBY was spotted by ace chummer, Wes Fritz, flying into the wake of our boat on Shearwater Journeys' Monterey Bay pelagic trip, today, September 9, 2011. This booby flew in briefly, landed on the water and then took off. It was a stunning show! We were in Santa Cruz County. Please enjoy professional Rick Fournier's images, below.
Rick was leading our trip today, along with Jennifer Green, Wes Fritz and Debi Shearwater. Rick is a professional bird guide. Please contact him at Monterey Birding Adventures. All images copyright, Rick Fournier. Please do not use without permission.
Long-time fellow traveler, Ann Dewart spotted a FLESH-FOOTED SHEARWATER, also in Santa Cruz County, sitting amongst a flock of PINK-FOOTED and SOOTY SHEARWATERS. We saw all of the usual suspects. A full report might come later. Spaces are still available on many of our trips. Please see our schedule on the Shearwater Journeys' web site.

Shearwaters forever,

Debi Shearwater

AKA: Annie Auklet, in the movie, "The Big Year", opening 14 October 2011.

SAN BENITO COUNTY: FALL MIGRATION

Community Gardens near Vista Hill Park, Downtown Hollister

Hello, Birders,

After several "false starts" about exactly where to go birding this morning, I finally hit the jackpot on San Juan Canyon Road. Best bird of the day was a BLACKPOLL WARBLER, (first fall female) which I believe is a first record for San Benito County. It was in the lower third of the canyon, not at the top of the road, about 4 miles in from the junction with Old Stage and Mission Vineyard Roads. It was with a mixed flock that included two singing ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLERS. San Juan Canyon Road is the road that leads up to Fremont Peak State Park. I was birding from the road between 0945 and 1145 this morning (not the best time of day- I'd recommend starting earlier). This is an excellent birding road during both fall and spring migration.

Other migrants on this road today included: WILSON'S WARBLER (2), MACGILLIVRAY'S WARBLER (1), HUTTON'S VIREO (13), YELLOW WARBLER (1), NASHVILLE WARBLER (1), TOWNSEND'S WARBLER (1), BLACK-THROATED-GRAY WARBLER (2), WESTERN TANAGER (1), and the above mentioned Orange-crowns. Missed HERMIT WARBLER, but saw two on 30 August. Also, on August 30, PACIFIC-SLOPE FLYCATCHER (1), WESTERN WOOD PEWEE (1). The "usual suspect" birds which are resident. At the top, in Valley View Campground, I saw a BOBCAT (HY). On the return drive, downhill, I caught the hind end of a MOUNTAIN LION! It was a most unsatisfactory view. Stopped the car. Pished for it (works for bobcats!). But, I could only hear it crunching leaves and snap one twig. This past week, a mountain lion on this road took someone's dog, I am told. I see bobcats, on average, one time for every ten birding days.

American White Pelicans on Paicines Reservoir

Elsewhere in the county: mudflats are appearing at the south end of Paicines Reservoir, finally! Least and Western Sandpipers, Greater Yellowlegs, etc. have been showing up, with one RED KNOT on 3 September. BALD EAGLES, and the occasional Golden Eagle continue at the reservoir. along with off and on WHITE PELICANS (2-3), and a PEREGRINE flyover on 3 September. Both HOODED and BULLOCK'S ORIOLES have showed up in the solitary willow, easily seen from the pullout. The first Northern Shovelers appeared on the reservoir 3 September, although the first shovelers arrived at the sewer ponds several weeks ago. They now number over 200. A female BUFFLEHEAD spent the summer going between the sewer ponds and San Justo Reservoir (closed to the public). At the sewer ponds, both BAIRD'S and PECTORAL SANDPIPERS, WILSON'S PHALAROPES and SEMIPALMATED PLOVER have been around, off and on. A STILT SANDPIPER on 15 AuguOverall, shorebird habitat is exceedingly slim. The Sewer Ponds are open to birders. It is required to sign in and out. Please do so! Very easy, and no hassles.

DO NOT TRESPASS at Paicines Reservoir! You WILL be ticketed. The sheriffs pulled up while I was there recently to ticket some fishermen.

On private properties: a WILLOW FLYCATCHER was along the riparian of San Benito River 5 Sep; a communal roost of 21 White-tailed Kites was in a wetland 5 Sep; nine WHITE-FACED IBIS established a new high count for the county; confirmed nesting Ruddy Ducks for the first time in the county, earlier this summer.

Cassin's Kingbird, Santa Ana Valley Road

Santa Ana Valley Road is just loaded with raptors. There is a large rodent outbreak, along with an explosion of small grasshoppers (smaller species of grasshoppers than the type that exploded in Panoche Valley over the summer). Kestrels, shrikes and CASSIN'S KINGBIRDS are feeding on the grasshoppers. This road will be well worth watching throughout the fall and winter months. The PRAIRIE FALCON is well stationed near the intersection of Santa Ana Valley and Quien Sabe Roads. It will likely remain there until the first wintering Ferruginous Hawk shows up and steals that spot. On 15 August, I saw four Prairie Falcons on Santa Ana Valley Road. Up to three CASSIN'S KINGBIRDS are on this road. Locations have been: mailbox #4500, mailbox #1275, at Samarkand Ranch. Both BALD (HYs and adults) and GOLDEN (HYs and adults) have been hunting Santa Ana Valley and Quien Sabe Roads.

Where to go birding during fall migration in San Benito County? For passerines: Vista Hill Park off Hill Street in downtown Hollister is a great place. I was there this morning, but could not tolerate the leaf blowers. BE AWARE: there is a homeless people's camp set up, complete with yappy dogs. All harmless, but take car. Just slightly downhill from the park is the Community Garden. I recommend it for birding as well. Fall migrants I have seen in this location in the past: Willow Flycatcher, American Redstart, Magnolia Warbler. This park represents the highest elevation in the surrounding area. It is planted with numerous exotics. It is extremely attractive to migrants, and being such a small area, tends to concentrate them well. San Juan Canyon Road is obviously one of the best places for regularly migrating passerines, as well as for the chance of a rarity. I have seen Northern Parula Warbler at the top of the road, several years ago. For shorebirds, try the sewer ponds, but be prepared to be disappointed. Paicines Reservoir could be good. The lighting is best in the early morning.

Trying to catch up, but not getting there fast enough!

Cats forever,

Debi Shearwater

AKA Annie Auklet in the movie, "The Big Year"