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.

        

San Benito County Birding: A Short Drive

Howdy, Birders,

Late this afternoon, February 20th, I made a short drive around the Hollister area. A CASSIN'S KINGBIRD, below, was at John Smith Road. A dark morph FERRUGINOUS HAWK was near the intersection of John Smith Road and Santa Ana Valley Road. The usual grassland species were around, including quite a few LOGGERHEAD SHRIKES. 

I am delighted to report that San Benito County's most reliable nesting pair of BALD EAGLES have begun incubation! One eagle was sitting in the nest today. I could not be certain if it was the male or female because the bird is very low in the nest and only the top of the head was showing. This nest was discovered in 2004. Its whereabouts is kept secret to protect the birds. They have successfully raised two young every year, except one since 2004. I will keep you posted on this year's outcome!

Happy Trails,

Debi Shearwater

San Benito County Birding

Winter Wings Festival

Winter Wings Festival

Howdy, Birders,

Recently, I returned from the Winter Wings Festival at Klamath Falls, Oregon where I was an exhibitor for Shearwater Journeys, Inc.  The weather was beyond spectacular — sunny skies every day! The skies were filled with flocks of thousands upon thousands of geese and ducks, their calls punctuating the still air. Sunsets, such as the one below, were gorgeous.

     

Following the Scenic Volcano Route, I encountered a nice herd of native Pronghorn.

Raptors were everywhere, including this American Kestrel feeding on a rodent. 

Tundra Swans can be found in the thousands, with some small fields harboring more than 3,000 birds.

     

In the small town of Doris, near the California-Oregon border, I found this Evening Grosbeak, pigging out at a feeder.

Evening Grosbeak at Doris, CA

And, of course, hundreds of Bald Eagles were present!

Near the town of Keno, OR, I stumbled upon a very large flock of Mountain Chickadees.

It is a big winter for Rough-legged Hawks, and I saw many of them. 

It was a fun time meeting new birders and connecting with a few of my good friends, as well. 

Happy Trails,

Debi Shearwater

Shearwater Journeys

Happy Valentine's Day

Wishing you a Royal Valentine's Day!

Howdy, Birders,

Apologies for being "off the blog" since the end of the year. It has been a busy time for me at home— a make over, remodel of the master bath and some general home maintenance. For once, I AM home! it has been a fine winter with loads of sunshine and a bit of rain. We could use more of the rain, at least in my area. Everyone is asking about the 2013 schedule. Stay tuned to this blog. It is coming very soon. Meanwhile, have a "Royal" Valentine's Day. All the best— Debi

Royal Albatrosses, copyright, Debi Shearwater

New Zealand