IMAGES OF THE DAY by Isaac Sanchez: September 23, 2012

Howdy, Seabirders,

Say what? Yep, that there is a BURROWING OWL, some 26 miles offshore. Actually, it is not all that uncommon, as they often land on at the Farallon Islands. Please enjoy Isaac Sanchez's images, below. Isaac hails from Texas and is on a mission to photograph as many bird species as possible. Please do not use these images without permission. 

A BURROWING OWL, above and below, that tried to land on our radio antenna!

PINK-FOOTED SHEARWATER, below.

 RHINOCEROS AUKLET, below.

BLACK-FOOTED ALBATROSS, an elegant flier, below.

 POMARINE JAEGER, above and below.

 SCRIPPS'S MURRELET, above and below, recently a split from Xantus's Murrelet.

 These murrelets, again, below, are often very shy of boats. When they fly, it is often to the end of the Earth— or so it seems!

 CASSIN'S AUKLET, below, also known as the "starlings of the sea" as they are very common breeders at the Farallon Islands.

 CASSIN'S AUKLETS, below in flight, feed on krill. 

 The elegant, BULLER'S SHEARWATER, below.

 BLACK--FOOTED ALBATROSS, below.

 SABINE'S GULL, below, a High Arctic breeder.

PINK-FOOTED SHEARWATERS in flight, below.

 A duo of PINK-FOOTED SHEARWATERS, below.

 SOOTY SHEARWATER, below. Its numbers are declining.

 PINK-FOOTED SHEARWATER, below, showing its two-toned bill.

 BULLER'S SHEARWATER, below, showing its dark cap and wedge-shaped tail.

 BULLER'S SHEARWATER, below, undersides are gleaming white.

 The lovely, BULLER'S SHEARWATER, below, follows tuna.

 SOUTH POLAR SKUA & PINK-FOOTED SHEARWATER, below. Notice the beefiness of the skua's chest! 

 The all powerful, all mighty, SOUTH POLAR SKUA, below.

  SKUAAAA!

 Nearshore, at the end of the day, a father (right) and his chick, COMMON MURRES. 

JOIN THE FUN!

SHEARWATERS FOREVER,

DEBI SHEARWATER

TRIP REPORT: SEPTEMBER 23, 2012 HALF MOON BAY

TAKING YOU PLACES:
GUMDROP & PIONEER SEAMOUNTS
Best Pelagic Trip of the 2012 Fall Season

Images by MBARI

Howdy, Seabirders,
This is a trip report for Shearwater Journeys's pelagic trip departing from Half Moon Bay, September 23, 2012. At the end of the day, all of the leaders voted this trip "the best pelagic trip of the fall season, to date!" The sea conditions were near perfect with a diminishing swell throughout the day to next to nothing by day's end. Uniformly, high overcast skies held up throughout the day. This diffuse light is perfect for viewing and photographing seabirds. Owing to these incredible calm conditions, we were able to make it over 40 miles offshore to the GUMDROP and PIONEER SEAMOUNTS. I have not been to these volcanic mountains in nearly 30 years! They are about 10-11 million years old. We were able to find 60 F sea surface temperature in several places, including a warm water "bubble." Birding highlights included: close-up views of BLACK-FOOTED ALBATROSSES;  rafts of mixed species flocks of shearwaters; one FLESH-FOOTED SHEARWATER seen well; a handful of ASHY STORM-PETRELS; great views of POMARINE (46), PARASITIC (1) and LONG-TAILED (9) JAEGERS; SOUTH POLAR SKUAS hovering overhead; SABINE'S GULLS; SCRIPPS'S MURRELETS offering good views to all, sitting on the water; and a fly-around TUFTED PUFFIN. The surprise bird of the day was a BURROWING OWL some 26 miles offshore! The marine mammal show was not too shabby, either: HUMPBACK WHALE (2), hundreds of PACIFIC WHITE-SIDED DOLPHINS riding the bow for an hour and a handful of NORTHERN RIGHT WHALE DOLPHINS, as well as DALL'S PORPOISE, NORTHERN FUR SEAL and NORTHERN ELEPHANT SEAL. We did not return to the dock until nearly 7 pm. What a day!

Many thanks to all of the birders who joined us for this memorable day at sea. The leaders were: Todd McGrath, Abe Borker, Debi Shearwater and chumming: Katelyn and Theodora.

The complete species list follows. All birds were in SAN MATEO COUNTY.

SEPTEMBER 23, 2012 SHEARWATER JOURNEYS HALF MOON BAY PELAGIC TRIP
BLACK-FOOTED ALBATROSS- 19
PINK-FOOTED SHEARWATER- 260
FLESH-FOOTED SHEARWATER- 1
BULLER'S SHEARWATER- 21
SOOTY SHEARWATER- 175
ASHY STORM-PETREL- 21
BROWN PELICAN- +
BRANDT'S CORMORANT- +
DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT- +
PELAGIC CORMORANT- +
BLACK OYSTERCATCHER- +
WHIMBREL- 2
RED-NECKED PHALAROPE- 23
RED PHALAROPE- 9
SOUTH POLAR SKUA- 6
POMARINE JAEGER- 46
PARASITIC JAEGER- 1
LONG-TAILED JAEGER- 9
JAEGER SP.- 8
CALIFORNIA GULL- 30
WESTERN GULL- 20
SABINE'S GULL- 12
ELEGANT TERN- +
COMMON MURRE- 375
SCRIPPS'S MURRELET- 3
RHINOCEROS AUKLET- 250
CASSIN'S AUKLET- 30
TUFTED PUFFIN- 1
*BURROWING OWL- 1, 26 miles offshore
BROWN-HEADED COWBIRD- 1, the most frequently sighted passerine offshore
NORTHERN FUR SEAL- 4
NORTHERN ELEPHANT SEAL- 2
HUMPBACK WHALE- 2
NORTHERN RIGHT WHALE DOLPHIN- 12
PACIFIC WHITE-SIDED DOLPHIN- 350
DALL'S PORPOISE- 15

Spaces are still available on the following trips:
MONTEREY: OCTOBER 6 & 14
BODEGA BAY: OCTOBER 26
HALF MOON BAY: OCTOBER 7 & 28; NOVEMBER 20

Don't miss fall seabird migration! In 2011, FLESH-FOOTED SHEARWATER was observed on ALL of the Shearwater Journeys's trips, from all ports! This is not an easy to find shearwater, but October is the best month. And, of course, we have found quite a number of "mega" rarities in October and November during the past three and a half decades of trips!

Real birds eat squid,

Debi Shearwater

debi@shearwaterjourneys.com

IMAGES OF THE DAY by Steve Howell: September 21, 2012

OCEAN DANCERS

Howdy, Birders,

The Hawaiian Petrel on Shearwater Journeys's pelagic trip to Bodega Canyon and Cordell Bank, September 21, 2012 was not the only highlight. Our skilled captain insisted that I put out a menhaden oil slick at a spot where he had seen thousands of storm-petrels a few days earlier. I did this. The resulting mass of dancing storm-petrels absolutely astounded all of the leaders — veterans of decades of seabird trips. I hope you will enjoy Steve Howell's images, below of the dancing show. It was just incredibly spectacular. This trip may have set a record for the sheer numbers of BLACK STORM-PETRELS, in particular, estimated at some 800-1000. FORK-TAILED STORM-PETRELS and ASHY STORM-PETRELS numbered about 1000 each, while 5 WILSON'S STORM-PETRELS put in a show, as well. All images, copyright, Steve Howell. Please do not use without permission.

BLACK STORM-PETREL, above.

Mountainous waves with dancing storm-petrels.

 It is very easy to pick out the pearly-gray FORK-TAILED STORM-PETRELS.

 FORK-TAILED STORM-PETRELS blend in well with the swells, below.

 Rafts of FORK-TAILED STORM-PETRELS.

 Above it all, a POMARINE JAEGER watches.

Shearwater Journeys's last departure in 2012 from Bodega Bay is Friday, October 26. This is a great time to see fall seabirds and early winter arrivals, including Ancient Murrelets, Northern Fulmar, Short-tailed Shearwater, and possibly, Black-legged Kittiwake. Rarities at this time of year have included Short-tailed Albatross, Parkinsons's and White-chinned Petrels. See you out there!

Storm-petrels forever,

Debi Shearwater

debi@shearwaterjourneys.com

HAWAIIAN PETREL: SEPTEMBER 21, 2012 BODEGA CANYON

Howdy, Seabirders,

This is a trip report for Shearwater Journeys' September 21, 2012 pelagic trip departing from Bodega Bay. The singular highlight was a HAWAIIAN PETREL spotted by veteran seabirder, Todd McGrath, who unflinchingly and without any hesitation whatsoever, called, "Hawaiian Petrel" as the bird made a rapid, close pass by our boat. Trevor Codlin, who hails from England, was able to remain calm enough in the flash of the moment to capture the images below. All images copyright, Trevor Codlin. Please do not use without permission. The Hawaiian Petrel was in the "usual" spot where we have found so many mega rare seabirds— the edge of Bodega Canyon. It was in Sonoma County and appeared about 11:15 a.m. 

In addition to the Hawaiian Petrel, the storm-petrel show was one of the most astounding we've ever encountered. Once we reached the 1000 fathom line, some 27 miles offshore, we began to see a few scattered storm-petrels, a BLACK STORM-PETREL being the first one called. Captain Rick Powers told us that he had seen thousands and thousands of storm-petrels last Sunday. Finally, he "commanded" me to put out the menhaden oil slick, rather than wait! So, I did! Soon a constant parade, like a traffic jam, of hundreds and hundreds and then, thousands and thousands of BLACK, ASHY and FORK-TAILED STORM-PETRELS, along with a handful of WILSON'S STORM-PETRELS, covered the ocean. It looked as though the ocean was dancing! I'm sure that there will be more images to come of this. The jaegers put on a pretty good show with all three species being sighted. Numbers of alcids were low, mostly due to the high sea conditions making it too hard to see them. 

It was a wild day at sea, but we were in good hands with Captain Rick Powers whom I have worked with since 1980. His vessel, the "New Sea Angler" is just about the best boat we could have for this sort of day. The full trip report follows, below. Many, many thanks to the folks who joined us from near and far on this spectacular day! The leaders on this trip were: Todd McGrath, Steve Howell, Lisa Hug and Debi Shearwater. Please check our schedule for the latest trips with openings. 

 The species list for SEPTEMBER 21, 2012 SHEARWATER JOURNEYS' TRIP FROM BODEGA BAY (only outside of the harbor) is below:

SONOMA COUNTY FOR ALL RECORDS

RED-THROATED LOON- 1
PACIFIC LOON- 4
EARED GREBE- 20
BLACK-FOOTED ALBATROSS- 40
NORTHERN FULMAR- 7
**HAWAIIAN PETREL- 1
PINK-FOOTED SHEARWATER- 65
BULLER'S SHEARWATER- 4
SOOTY SHEARWATER- 50 (low!)
WILSON'S STORM-PETREL- 5
FORK-TAILED STORM-PETREL- 3000
ASHY STORM-PETREL- 1000
BLACK STORM-PETREL- 1000 (high count for this far north)
BRANDT'S CORMORANT- 20
PELAGIC CORMORANT- 3
SURF SCOTER- 2
RED-NECKED PHALAROPE- 30
RED PHALAROPE- 8
POMARINE JAEGER- 15
PARASITIC JAEGER- 1
LONG-TAILED JAEGER- 8
HEERMANN'S GULL- 4
CALIFORNIA GULL- 30
WESTERN GULL- 100
Tern sp.- 1
COMMON MURRE- 85
PIGEON GUILLEMOT- 1
CASSIN'S AUKLET- 10
RHINOCEROS AUKLET- 2
CALIFORNIA SEA LION-+
NORTHERN FUR SEAL- 1
HARBOR SEAL- +
HUMPBACK WHALE- 3
PACIFIC WHITE-SIDED DOLPHIN- 200
DALL'S PORPOISE- 18

See you out there!

Petrels forever,

Debi Shearwater

TRIP REPORT: MONTEREY BAY BIRDING FESTIVAL PELAGIC TRIPS

MONTEREY BAY BIRDING FESTIVAL PELAGIC TRIPS

SEPTEMBER 14, 15, 16 2012

Howdy, Seabirders,

This is a trip report for Shearwater Journeys' September 14, 15, 16, 2012. These trips were offered in conjunction with the Monterey Bay Birding Festival which is headquartered in Watsonville, CA. Highlights were many, including Greg Miller of "The Big Year" fame, as a guest leader on Sunday's trip! Bird highlights included: LAYSAN and BLACK-FOOTED ALBATROSSES very close to the boat, both flying and sitting on the water; SOOTY, PINK-FOOTED, FLESH-FOOTED and BULLER'S SHEARWATERS; ASHY STORM-PETREL; POMARINE, PARASITIC and LONG-TAILED JAEGERS; SOUTH POLAR SKUA, SURFBIRD, SABINE'S GULL; SCRIPP'S MURRELET; CASSIN'S and RHINOCEROS AUKLETS; and TUFTED PUFFINS. Marine mammal highlights included: SEA OTTER, CALIFORNIA SEA LION, NORTHERN FUR SEAL, RISSO'S DOLPHIN, DALL'S PORPOISE. In particular, the September 16th trip had fabulous views of mixed species flocks of shearwaters and many jaegers, along with South Polar Skuas overhead. The Laysan Albatross flew right into the stern. It was a beautiful day!

We thank the many birders who joined us from near and far and the Monterey Bay Birding Festival organizers, especially Clay Kempf and Dave Brockman. Birders joined us from Canada, England, Finland, Sweden, Spain, Belgium and eighteen different states.

The leaders were as follows:
September 14: JENNIFER GREEN, CHRISTIAN SCHWARZ, DEBI SHEARWATER
September 15: TODD MCGRATH, DAVE PEREKSTA, ABE BORKER, TIM MILLER, DEBI SHEARWATER
September 16: TODD MCGRATH, DAVE PEREKSTA, SCOTT TERRILL, LINDA TERRILL, DEBI SHEARWATER and special guest leader, GREG MILLER

The complete species list follows and it shows how doing more than one trip can really add to one's life list. Many birders reported 10-16 life birds!

SEP 14/15/16 2012

PACIFIC LOON- 4/0/0
COMMON LOON- 1/0/0
EARED GREBE- 1/0/0
LAYSAN ALBATROSS- 0/0/1
BLACK-FOOTED ALBATROSS- 18/17/23
PINK-FOOTED SHEARWATER- 116/64/96
FLESH-FOOTED SHEARWATER- 0/0/1, beautiful views of the bird sitting on the water
BULLER'S SHEARWATER- 5/3/35
SOOTY SHEARWATER- 243/180/260
ASHY STORM-PETREL- 3/1/0
BROWN PELICAN- +/+/+
BRANDT'S CORMORANT- +/+/+
PELAGIC CORMORANT- 4/4/1
SURF SCOTER- 0/0/4
BLACK TURNSTONE- 7/4/6
SURFBIRD- 6/2/4
SOUTH POLAR SKUA- 0/O/4
POMARINE JAEGER- 15/11/14
PARASITIC JAEGER- 2/8/3
LONG-TAILED JAEGER- 0/1/5
HEERMANN'S GULL- +/+/+
WESTERN GULL- +/+/+
SABINE'S GULL- 3/0/0
ELEGANT TERN- 80/47/16
COMMON TERN- 3/7/1
COMMON MURRE- 262/112/104/
SCRIPP'S MURRELET- 0/0/1
CASSIN'S AUKLET- 0/8/0
RHINOCEROS AUKLET- 251/80/145
TUFTED PUFFIN- 1/1/0
SEA OTTER- +/+/+
CALIFORNIA SEA LION- +/+/+
NORTHERN FUR SEAL- 0/0/2
RISSO'S DOLPHIN- 0/16/0
DALL'S PORPOISE- 0/12/0
OCEAN SUNFISH- +/+/9

BELOW IS AN UPDATE FOR SHEARWATER JOURNEYS' FALL TRIPS:

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 21 BODEGA CANYON & CORDELL BANK with Peter Pyle, Steve Howell, Todd McGrath, Lisa Hug and Debi Shearwater leading.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 22 HALF MOON BAY STORM-PETRELS & FALL SEABIRDS with Todd McGrath, Scott Terrill, Linda Terrill and Debi Shearwater leading. Great for photographers!

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 23 HALF MOON BAY STORM-PETRELS & FALL SEABIRDS with Todd McGrath and Debi Shearwater leading. Great for photographers!

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 7 HALF MOON BAY STORM-PETRELS & FALL SEABIRDS with Debi Shearwater & TBA

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 26 BODEGA CANYON with Lisa Hug & Debi Shearwater

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 28 HALF MOON BAY LATE FALL SEABIRDS & EARLY WINTER SEABIRDS with Todd McGrath & Debi Shearwater

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 20 HALF MOON BAY: This trip may turn into a search for Mottled Petrel, with Todd McGrath & Debi Shearwater.

The following trips are SOLD OUT:
SEP 27 BODEGA CANYON & CORDELL BANK
SEP 27 BODEGA BAY PHOTOGRAPHER'S TRIP
SEP 30 FARALLON ISLANDS: POST BREEDING & GREAT WHITE SHARK
OCT 1 HALF MOON BAY STORM-PETRELS & FALL SEABIRDS

Our next trips departing from MONTEREY with spaces available are:
FRI, SEP 28 with Jennifer Green, Rick Fournier, Christian Schwarz, Ben Thompson
SAT, OCT 6 with Clay Kempf, Jennifer Green, Jim Holmes, John Garrett, Debi Shearwater
SUN, OCT 14 with Clay Kempf, Rick Fournier, John Garrett, Debi Shearwater

SHEARWATERS FOREVER,

Debi Shearwater

debi@shearwaterjourneys.com

MEET GREG MILLER ON A SHEARWATER JOURNEYS PELAGIC TRIP

Hello, Birders,

Meet Greg Miller, a central character in the popular book, The Big Year, by Mark Obmascik, on board Shearwater Journeys' Monterey pelagic trips, September 13 and 16. Based on a true story, the book depicts three guys who chase birds all over North America in an attempt to score "the Big Year." Amazingly, Twentieth Century Fox made a movie by the same name which showed last year. Greg was hired to be the bird advisor for the movie which was directed by David Frankel and starred Jack Black, Owen Wilson and Steve Martin. Angelica Houston played the sea-going, Debi Shearwater. Greg was on the set for three weeks and had a chance to meet many of the actors and crew. Lately, I've seen the movie as an in flight movie when flying from the West Coast to the East Coast and on HBO in a motel room. Greg has an incredible sense of humor and is one of birding's finest. Meet Greg on board and he can tell you much, much more. Or, meet Greg on land—

Meet Greg at the Monterey Bay Birding Festival in Watsonville where he will be the keynote speaker, September 15. This festival has many field trips with excellent leaders, workshops and more. Don't miss out. Shearwater Journeys is proud to be the official provider of pelagic trips for the festival. About 70% of the festival attendees partake of at least one pelagic trip. For more information and registration, see this link:

http://www.montereybaybirding.org/index.html

To learn more about Greg Miller, see:

http://www.gregmillerbirding.com/about/

Of course, Greg would be delighted to autograph your copy of The Big Year. So, be sure to bring it along!

Best in birding,

Debi