CORDELL BANK & BODEGA CANYON SEABIRD & MARINE MAMMAL TRIPS

LOOKING FOR STORM-PETRELS?

CORDELL BANK & BODEGA CANYON SEABIRDING 2014 PELAGIC TRIPS:

SEPTEMBER 1 & 19, 2014

Massive rafts of storm-petrels have been observed on Shearwater Journeys's offshore trips from Bodega Bay in recent years. Flocks number in the thousands have included: ASHY, BLACK, FORK-TAILED, LEAST AND WILSON'S STORM-PETRELS. On our September 20, 2013 trip, we recorded a record-breaking 17,325 storm-petrels! While on our September 21, 2012 trip a fly-by HAWAIIAN PETREL was spotted while we were watching the storm-petrels!

 

Since 1980 Shearwater Journeys has offered pelagic trips departing from Bodega Bay, north of Point Reyes and San Francisco. This is the longest running birding operation from this port. 

 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 ALBATROSS, LIGHT-MANTELD ALBATROSS, SHY ALBATROSS (3 different individuals, separate trips);
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 (rare this far north, but might happen in 2014 due to warmer water); 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!)

 ASHY & FORK-TAILED STORM-PETRELS, above. 

 HUMPBACK WHALE, above. This is a rich feeding area for marine mammals. 

LONG-TAILED JAEGER, above and SOUTH POLAR SKUA, below. 

This area can be fabulous for viewing all three species of jaegers. Skua is rarely missed on this trip.

 BLUE WHALE, below, showing its back and dorsal fin.

 The sheer numbers of marine mammals near Bodega Canyon can be astounding, during fall. 

 LONG-TAILED JAEGER, above and SABINE'S GULL, below. 

BROWN BOOBY, below. Seen on our October 25, 2013 trip. 

The NEW SEA ANGLER, our comfortable birding vessel, below. 

NOTE: The September 19 Bodega Bay trip can be combined with the September 21 Half Moon Bay trip for a weekend of seabirding and land birding on September 20. The September 1 trip could be hooked up with the early Monterey Bay trips on September 5 and 6, with land birding in between.

DETAILS FOR BODEGA BAY TRIPS: SEPTEMBER 1 & 19:

DEPARTURE: 7 a.m. SHARP. The boat will not wait for latecomers. Check in with Debi at the dock. RATE: $218

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

PARKING: is free in the large, dirt lot. Try to check out 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 Tide's Whart, 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 a 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 pricing is based on current rates and may be adjusted at the dockside. If so, this fee will be collected at the dock, between $10-20/person, cash only. 

FOOD & DRINKS: Bring all of your food and drinks, including water. Nothing is available on the boat. No restaurants are open in the morning hours prior to departure. Dress VERY WARMLY. 

MOTELS: in this area can be fully booked and can be quite expensive. Bodega Coast Inn and Suites is only 5 minutes from the dock. You might try asking the manage for the "Shearwater Discount" which they sometimes honor. Bodega Harbor Inn is conveniently located. Be sure to ask about their refund policy. You might find the rate shocking, compared to what you get. The Inn at the Tides is very nice, especially if you have family members traveling with you who will not be doing the boat trip. Their rate includes breakfast, but it is not served early enough for you to partake of it. 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 Highway 101. The roads leading to the dock are winding, two lane and can be foggy in the morning. 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! Refunds are not available for "no shows" at the dock! NO eating facilities are open early enough in the morning in Bodega Bay for breakfast. Please plan accordingly.

GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE: Be sure to check toll details regarding crossing the bridge, even if you rent a car, if you are returning to San Francisco after the trip. The toll is only collected on the southbound trip. 

TRIP REPORT: AUG 30, 2013

IMAGES OF AUG 30, 2013 BY STEVE HOWELL

TRIP REPORT: SEP 20, 2013

BIRDERS SPEAK ABOUT THE EPIC SEP 20, 2013 TRIP

TRIP REPORT: OCT 18, 2013

BODEGA BAY IMAGES BY TODD MCGRATH

TRIP REPORT: SEP 21, 2012 WITH HAWAIIAN PETREL

BODEGA BAY IMAGES BY STEVE HOWELL

TRIP REPORT: OCT 26, 2012

TRIP REPORT: AUG 17, 2011

BODEGA BAY IMAGES BY ABE BORKER

EMERGENCY PELAGIC TRIP: OCT 29, 2011

TRIP REPORT: OCT 29, 2011

TRIP REPORT: SEP 15, 2010- COOK'S PETREL

TRIP REPORT: AUG 15, 2009- COOK'S & HAWAIIAN PETRELS

TRIP REPORT: SEP 18, 2009

TRIP REPORT: SEP 20, 2009

Whew! That's a lotta reading!

STORM-PETRELS FOREVER,

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

TRIP REPORT: SEPTEMBER 20, 2013 BODEGA BAY SPECTACULAR STORM-PETREL SAFARI

Howdy, Birders,

This is a trip report for Shearwater Journeys' September 20, 2013 pelagic trip departing from Bodega Bay. This was a pelagic trip for the record books! We found a SPECTACULAR STORM-PETREL BONANZA consisting of: 10,500+ ASHY STORM-PETRELS, 6,500+ FORK-TAILED STORM-PETRELS, 300 BLACK STORM-PETRELS and 25 WILSON'S STORM-PETRELS, for a GRAND TOTAL of 17,325+ STORM-PETRELS. This almost certainly represents a record count for storm-petrels anywhere in North America, by sea or air. In addition to the beautiful sea conditions and lovely weather, our day was highlighted by a GRAND SLAM of the JAEGER: POMARINE, PARASITIC and LONG-TAILED, as well as SOUTH POLAR SKUAS. Most of the usual fall seabirds were encountered. Marine mammals included: 15-17 BLUE WHALES, 12 HUMPBACK WHALES, 50 NORTHERN RIGHT WHALE DOLPHINS, 350 PACIFIC WHITE-SIDED DOLPHINS and 8 DALL'S PORPOISES. Pinnipeds included: CALIFORNIA SEA LION, STELLER'S SEA LION, NORTHERN FUR SEAL, NORTHERN ELEPHANT SEAL and HARBOR SEAL. 

IT WAS A DAY FOR THE SEABIRD HISTORY BOOK.

All images, below, copyright, Steve N.G. Howell who co-lead this trip. Please do not use without permission. Steve N.G. Howell is the author of the recently published guide: PETRELS, ALBATROSSES & STORM-PETRELS of NORTH AMERICA: A PHOTOGRAPHIC GUIDE.

A very small portion of one of the rafts of storm-petrels, above, which shows how this looks from a distance.

Storm-petrel rafts (a flock of storm-petrels resting on the water) are typically very skittish in our area, rarely allowing close approach with a vessel. Most sources state that these storm-petrels are nocturnal feeders and rest on the ocean during the day. 

LONG-TAILED JAEGER, above.

POMARINE JAEGER, above.

SOUTH POLAR SKUA, above, putting on a show.

 

One of the many BLUE WHALES, above. Its coloration makes it blend in well. 

STELLER'S SEA LION, above, rarely seen in our area. 

HUMPBACK WHALE tail flukes above.

An interesting HEERMANN'S GULL, above, as we approached the harbor. I'm betting that this image will appear in Steve N.G. Howell's forthcoming book about terns and jaegers, as the white wing patches clearly imitate a jaeger.

Many thanks to the birders who traveled from near and far to join our offshore trip. The leaders on this day were: Steve N.G. Howell, Peter Pyle, Lisa Hug, Adam Searcy, Steve Tucker and Debi Shearwater. 

The complete species list follows. Except for the harbor and a few miles, we were in MARIN COUNTY for nearly the entire day. 

SHEARWATER JOURNEYS' SEPTEMBER 20, 2013 TRIP TO CORDELL BANK

RED-THROATED LOON- 1

COMMON LOON- 1

BLACK-FOOTED ALBATROSS- 43

PINK-FOOTED SHEARWATER- 383

BULLER'S SHEARWATER- 10

SOOTY SHEARWATER- 79

*WILSON'S STORM-PETREL- 25

**FORK-TAILED STORM-PETREL- 6500+

**ASHY STORM-PETREL- 10500+

**BLACK STORM-PETREL- 300

BROWN PELICAN- +

BRANDT'S CORMORANT- +

DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT- +

PELAGIC CORMORANT- +

MARBLED GODWIT- +, harbor

BLACK TURNSTONE- + , harbor

RED-NECKED PHALAROPE- 170

RED PHALAROPE- 60

SOUTH POLAR SKUA- 3

POMARINE JAEGER- 10

PARASITIC JAEGER- 2

LONG-TAILED JAEGER- 12

JAEGER SP.- 3

HEERMANN'S GULL- 10, offshore

CALIFORNIA GULL- 250

WESTERN GULL- 150

SABINE'S GULL- 10

ELEGANT TERN- + jetty

COMMON MURRE- 450

CASSIN'S AUKLET- 23

RHINOCEROS AUKLET- 11

PINTAIL- 23, offshore 

CALIFORNIA SEA LION- +

STELLER'S SEA LION- 4

NORTHERN FUR SEAL- 4

NORTHERN ELEPHANT SEAL- 1

HARBOR SEAL- +

BLUE WHALE- 15-18

HUMPBACK WHALE- 12

NORTHERN RIGHT WHALE DOLPHIN- 50

PACIFIC WHITE-SIDED DOLPHIN- 350

DALL'S PORPOISE- 8

BROWN JELLIES

We can take you out there!

Our next trip departing for the Cordell Bank from Bodega Bay is OCTOBER 18th.

We also have trips departing from Pillar Point, Half Moon Bay, easily accessible from all regions of the Bay Area:

SEPTEMBER 28 & 29; OCTOBER 6 & 27; NOVEMBER 16

Don't forget our GREAT WHITE SHARK SEARCH trip on OCTOBER 20th to the Farallon Islands. 

See you out there!

Shearwaters Forever,

Debi Shearwater

TRIP REPORT: AUGUST 30, 2013 BODEGA BAY SEABIRD SPANISH TAPAS

Howdy, Birders,

This is a trip report for Shearwater Journeys' August 30, 2013 pelagic trip departing from Bodega Bay. This nearly 12 hour trip experience a mixture of fall seabirds, much like Spanish tapas — appetizing bits and pieces, here and there. The serving of tapas is designed to encourage conversation because people are not so focused upon eating an entire meal. In some countries it is customary for diners to stand and move about while eating tapas. Well, that's exactly how this day went down. Great conversation. Outstanding showing of LONG-TAILED JAEGERS harassing flocks of SABINE'S GULLS. Nice, small rafts of ASHY STORM-PETRELS, while BLACK STORM-PETRELS and a few FORK-TAILED STORM-PETRELS, along with two WILSON'S STORM-PETRELS few into our oil slick. Loads and loads and loads of krill and schooling fish were visible on the fish finder. Krill of course meant that we saw BLUE WHALES. Numbers of RED PHALAROPES really jumped on this day. We did hit a nice "hard edge" of warm water, jumping from 58 to 60 degrees F. The question of the fall season remains: Where are the Cassin's Auklets? We should be seeing more of these alcids. They had a terrific breeding season at the Farallon Islands, laying eggs at a record early date, and double brooding, too. Wherever they are, I bet there's loads of krill there, too. 

One of the many SABINE'S GULLS that put on quite a show, above. 

LONG-TAILED JAEGERS were quite flashy. 

A raft of SABINE'S GULLS, below.

Fog was with us for most of the day, but we still had reasonable visibility. 

BLACK STORM-PETREL, above, and FORK-TAILED STORM-PETREL, below. 

All images by leader, Steve Tucker, copyright. Please do not use without permission.

To see Steve's blog, Bourbon, Bastards, and Birds, click here.

Many thanks to the birders who joined us from near and far. The leaders on this day were: Lisa Hug, Steve Howell, Steve Tucker, Jennifer Green and Debi Shearwater. 

The complete species list follows. We were in SONOMA COUNTY for almost all of the day.

AUGUST 30, 2013 SHEARWATER JOURNEYS' BODEGA CANYON TRIP:

WESTERN GREBE- 1

BLACK-FOOTED ALBATROSS- 24

NORTHERN FULMAR- 2

PINK-FOOTED SHEARWATER- 25

BULLER'S SHEARWATER- 32

SOOTY SHEARWATER- 237

WILSON'S STORM-PETREL- 2

FORK-TAILED STORM-PETREL- 15+

ASHY STORM-PETREL- 200+

BLACK STORM-PETREL- 8 to 10

BROWN PELICAN- 1 outside the harbor

BRANDT'S CORMORANT- +

DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT- +

PELAGIC CORMORANT- +

MALLARD- 3, offshore

WANDERING TATTLER- 1, in the harbor

WHIMBREL- 1, in the harbor

RUDDY TURNSTONE- 1, in the harbor

BLACK TURNSTONE- + in the harbor

SURFBIRD- + in the harbor

RED-NECKED PHALAROPE- 25

RED-NECKED/RED PHALAROPE- 500

RED PHALAROPE- 800

SOUTH POLAR SKUA- 1

POMARINE JAEGER- 3

POMARINE/PARASITIC JAEGER- 1

LONG-TAILED JAEGER- 21

CALIFORNIA GULL- 3

WESTERN GULL- 28

SABINE'S GULL- 35

ELEGANT TERN- 5

COMMON TERN- 2

COMMON MURRE- 510

PIGEON GUILLEMOT- 2

CASSIN'S AUKLET- 20

RHINOCEROS AUKLET- 15

CALIFORNIA SEA LION- +

STELLERS SEA LION- 1

BLUE WHALE- 6 to 8

HUMPBACK WHALE- 12 to 16

NORTHERN RIGHT WHALE DOLPHIN- 4

PACIFIC WHITE-SIDED DOLPHIN- 8

DALL'S PORPOISE- 4

Our next pelagic trips departing from Bodega Bay with spaces available are:

SEPTEMBER 20

OCTOBER 18

Hope to see you out there!

Shearwaters Forever,

Debi Shearwater

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

TRIP REPORT: OCTOBER 26, 2012 BODEGA CANYON & CORDELL BANK

Howdy, Seabirders,
This is a trip report for Shearwater Journeys's pelagic trip departing from Bodega Bay, October 26, 2012. Highlights included: good numbers of BLACK-FOOTED ALBATROSSES and NORTHERN FULMARS; SEVEN SPECIES OF SHEARWATERS: PINK-FOOTED, FLESH-FOOTED, BULLER'S, SOOTY, SHORT-TAILED, MANX and BLACK-VENTED; good numbers of SOUTH POLAR SKUA and POMARINE JAEGER; five late LONG-TAILED JAEGERS; EIGHT SPECIES OF GULLS: BONAPARTE'S, HEERMANN'S, MEW, CALIFORNIA, HERRING, THAYER'S, WESTERN and GLAUCOUS-WINGED; COMMON MURRES; RHINOCEROS and CASSIN'S AUKLETS rounded out the day. The marine mammal show was excellent, with BLUE, HUMPBACK and GRAY WHALES; and NORTHERN RIGHT WHALE DOLPHINS and PACIFIC WHITE-SIDED DOLPHINS. Sea surface temperatures ranged from 54 F to 57.8 F. We encountered quite a bit of life at the 100 fathom line, although we made it as far as 650 fathoms 28.5 miles offshore, beyond Bodega Canyon and crossing over the Cordell Bank on the return ride. It was aggravatingly sunny all day long, preventing us from looking at any wildlife in the direction of the sun, which seemed to be often. Leader, Peter Pyle, spotted the MANX SHEARWATER just outside of the harbor. Three FLESH-FOOTED SHEARWATERS gave outstanding views to everyone on board, circling off the stern of our vessel. The SOUTH POLAR SKUAS, in particular, put on quite a show, repeatedly circling the boat overhead. Seas were decent in the morning, but increasing throughout the day with whitecaps being the norm on the ride home. On board the best party boat in Northern California, we did just fine, however.

This was our last pelagic trip of the 2012 season from Bodega Bay. Shearwater Journeys will be offering pelagic trips departing from Bodega Bay on these dates in 2013:
AUGUST 30, FRIDAY
SEPTEMBER 20, FRIDAY
OCTOBER 18, FRIDAY
Don't miss out on the action. Trips to this area have more "mega" seabird records than any other offshore area in the United States. This year's "mega" was a Hawaiian Petrel on September 21. 

Many thanks to all of the local birders and out-of-state/country birders who joined us on this day. The leaders for this trip were: Peter Pyle, Jennifer Green and Debi Shearwater. We were in Sonoma County until about 12:30. After that, we were in Marin County until about 2:45 p.m. We returned to the dock about 5 p.m.

The complete species list follows.
OCTOBER 26, 2012
SONOMA/MARIN COUNTY

PACIFIC LOON- 8/0
COMMON LOON- 13/0
EARED GREBE- 700, outside of the harbor/0
BLACK-FOOTED ALBATROSS- 25/25
NORTHERN FULMAR- 40/27
PINK-FOOTED SHEARWATER- 78/48
FLESH-FOOTED SHEARWATER- 2/1
BULLER'S SHEARWATER- 74/30
SOOTY SHEARWATER- 40/40
SHORT-TAILED SHEARWATER- 1/0
*MANX SHEARWATER- 1/0
BLACK-VENTED SHEARWATER- 1/0
BROWN PELICAN- 15/0
BRANDT'S CORMORANT- 100/0
PELAGIC CORMORANT- 10/0
SURF SCOTER- 40/0
GREATER SCAUP- 9/0
BLACK OYSTERCATCHER- 6/0
BLACK TURNSTONE- 3/0
SURFBIRD- 5/0
RED PHALAROPE- 5/1
SOUTH POLAR SKUA- 8/2
POMARINE JAEGER- 8/15
LONG-TAILED JAEGER- 0/5
BONAPARTE'S GULL- 0/11
HEERMANN'S GULL- 20/0
MEW GULL- 3/0
CALIFORNIA GULL- 70/20
HERRING GULL- 2/1
THAYER'S GULL- 1/0
WESTERN GULL- 200/100
GLAUCOUS-WINGED GULL- 6/3
COMMON MURRE- 165/12
CASSIN'S AUKLET- 85/25
RHINOCEROS AUKLET- 27/15
PINE SISKIN- 1/0
WARBLER SP.- 1/0
CALIFORNIA SEA LION- +
STELLER'S SEA LION- 1
HARBOR SEAL- +
GRAY WHALE- 2
BLUE WHALE- 2
HUMPBACK WHALE- 4
NORTHERN RIGHT WHALE DOLPHIN- 20
PACIFIC WHITE-SIDED DOLPHIN- 250
OCEAN SUNFISH- 6, small ones

Shearwaters forever,

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

CORDELL BANK & BODEGA CANYON SEABIRD TRIPS

Howdy, Seabirders,

Since 1980, Shearwater Journeys has offered pelagic trips departing from Bodega Bay, north of Point Reyes and San Francisco. The vessel for all of our departures this season will be the New Sea Angler, a 65' comfortable sportfisher. The New Sea Angler and Trek II (used for our Fort Bragg departures), are two of the best birding boat platforms along the California coastline. We have used the New Sea Angler for many years. Her captain is intimately acquainted with birding and birders. 

Cordell Bank and Bodega Canyon have held an immense array of rare seabirds over the 30+ years that we've operated in these waters. Some of these seabirds have included: LAYSAN, "SHY" (3 records), LIGHT-MANTLED and SHORT-TAILED ALBATROSSES; MURPHY'S, COOK'S, HAWAIIAN, WHITE-CHINNED, PARKINSON'S and GREAT-WINGED PETRELS; STREAKED, CORY'S, GREAT, FLESH-FOOTED, WEDGE-TAILED and MANX SHEARWATERS; WILSON'S and LEAST STORM-PETRELS; LONG-BILLED MURRELET; CRESTED AUKLET. These are some of the rarest of the rare, seabird records. Todd McGrath found a very rare, WHITE-CHINNED PETREL on October 16, 2011 Bodega Bay trip!

The Cordell Bank is a National Marine Sanctuary which was established in 1989. It is an extraordinary ecosystem. Whales and other marine mammals are often abundant on these trips. White Sharks are sometimes encountered. 

SHEARWATER JOURNEYS' 2012 TRIPS TO CORDELL BANK & BODEGA CANYON:

AUG. 22, WED. (Can be combined with Fort Bragg trips, August 24 & 25)

SEP. 21, FRI.

SEP. 27, THU. - LIMITED SPACES AVAILABLE AT THIS TIME

OCT. 26, FRI. 

All of our Bodega Bay trips depart at 6:30 a.m. Parking is free. For complete trip details, click here. And, more details, here. Some trip reports: August 17, 2011; October 16, 2011; September 17 & 19, 2002 (Streaked Shearwater & Hawaiian/Dark-rumped Petrel); September 16, 2005 (Cook's Petrel); and many more Trip Reports. 

Hope to see you out there!

Shearwaters forever,

Debi Shearwater

BODEGA BAY: AUG 17, SEP 14, OCT 14, 2011 TRIPS

Howdy, Seabirders,

Since 1980, Shearwater Journeys has operated pelagic trips from Bodega Bay to the Cordell Bank and Bodega Canyon. We have conducted more seabird trips for the public from this port than any other organization. Our decades of experience has proved fruitful on many occasions. Nicknamed "Blow-dega Bay" because there is no protection from the prevailing northwest winds, Shearwater Journeys' trips have amassed quite a number of first records for the State of California, North America and even the entire Pacific Ocean! While at one time, more than a dozen fishing vessels operated out of this port, today only one large vessel suitable for birding trips exists! Once this vessel moves on, all of the others have, there will no longer be any pelagic trips for birders! Think about that. Fishing restrictions, along with increasing costs of fuel make it practically impossible for boats to make a living in this harbor. If you have ever considered doing a Bodega Bay trip, now is the time.
For 2011, Shearwater Journeys has three trips on offer, all on Wednesdays:

AUGUST 17 Leaders: Lisa Hug, Wes Fritz & Debi Shearwater

SEPTEMBER 14 Leaders: Lisa Hug, Morten Joergensen, Peter Pyle, Steve Howell & Debi Shearwater

OCTOBER 14 Leaders: Lisa Hug, Steve Howell, Jennifer Green & Debi Shearwater

All trips meet at Port O'Bodega at 6:30 am. Bring your lunch, dress warmly, waterproof outer gear. The boat return time is variable, 4- 6 pm. Parking is free in the large lot. Advance reservations are necessary. Please email Debi Shearwater: debi@shearwaterjourneys.com for more details.

You can find our trip report for the SEPTEMBER 15, 2010 BODEGA BAY TRIP by clicking here. The highlight was a COOK'S PETREL! Highlights of our AUGUST 11, 2010 BODEGA BAY TRIP included 2 or 3 LAYSAN ALBATROSSES, 200 ASHY STORM-PETRELS, 300+ LONG-TAILED JAEGERS, 70 ARCTIC TERNS, 1000+ CASSIN'S AUKLETS, one TUFTED PUFFIN, 3 GRAY WHALES, 4 BLUE WHALES, 25 HUMPBACK WHALES, and remarkably 4 SPERM WHALES!
The harbor will almost certainly be teaming with birds— arriving loons, grebes, scoters; thousands of shorebirds, white pelicans, terns, gulls and more.

However, it is the seabirds that are truly amazing. Over the years, we have amassed an astounding list of incredible records. These include: SHY ALBATROSS (24 Aug 1999, 25 Sep 1999, 29 Jul 2000, 27 Jul 2001); LAYSAN ALBATROSS (many records); SHORT-TAILED ALBATROSS (3-5 Nov 1985, 28 Aug 1998, 26 Oct 1998, Nov 2010); GREAT-WINGED PETREL (24 Aug 1996); MURPHY'S PETREL, HAWAIIAN PETREL (24 Aug 1996, 1 Aug 1997, 15 Jul 2000, 9 May 2001); COOK'S PETREL (23 Jun 1985 + other records); STREAKED SHEARWATER (29 Sep 2002); CORY'S SHEARWATER (9 Aug 2003); WEDGE-TAILED SHEARWATER, MANX SHEARWATER. In addition, a single record exists of a LIGHT-MANTLED ALBATROSS. Rare alcids have included, LONG-BILLED MURRELET, CRESTED AUKLET (24 Jun 1995) and HORNED PUFFINS.

Regularly occurring species include: BLACK-FOOTED ALBATROSS, NORTHERN FULMAR, PINK-FOOTED SHEARWATER, FLESH-FOOTED SHEARWATER, BULLER'S SHEARWATER, SOOTY SHEARWATER, SHORT-TAILED SHEARWATER, sometimes, BLACK-VENTED SHEARWATER, WILSON'S STORM-PETREL, FORK-TAILED STORM-PETREL, ASHY STORM-PETREL, and sometimes LEACH'S STORM-PETREL, BLACK STORM-PETREL, LEAST STORM-PETREL, SOUTH POLAR SKUA, POMARINE JAEGER, PARASITIC JAEGER, LONG-TAILED JAEGER, SABINE'S GULL, BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKE, COMMON TERN, ARCTIC TERN, COMMON MURRE, PIGEON GUILLEMOT, MARBLED MURRELET, XANTUS'S MURRELET, CRAVERI'S MURRELET, ANCIENT MURRELET, CASSIN'S AUKLET, RHINOCEROS AUKLET and TUFTED PUFFIN. I have not included the nearshore grebes, loons, ducks, geese, shorebirds.

Marine mammals are no less spectacular, and have included: GRAY WHALE, MINKE WHALE, BLUE WHALE, FIN WHALE, HUMPBACK WHALE, SPERM WHALE, BAIRD'S BEAKED WHALE, HUBB'S BEAKED WHALE, KILLER WHALE, NORTHERN RIGHT WHALE DOLPHIN, RISSO'S DOLPHIN, PACIFIC WHITE-SIDED DOLPHIN, HARBOR PORPOISE, DALL'S PORPOISE. Leatherback sea turtle has been observed, as well.

It has been said that if one partakes of a Bodega Bay, the chances are good of acquiring a high quality seabird and marine mammal species list for the day, if not a downright North American record! I hope you will join us!

Shearwaters forever,

Debi Shearwater

TRIP REPORT: SEPTEMBER 15, 2010 BODEGA BAY

Howdy, Seabirders,

Yup, another fantastic Shearwater Journeys' pelagic trip— this time, departing from Bodega Bay, offshore to Bodega Canyon and Cordell Bank. This trip covered both Marin and Sonoma Counties. The seas were a bit bouncy in the early morning. Fog had engulfed the coast, as we departed at 6:50 am from Port O' Bodega. First up, a single male ORCA surfaced near our vessel. Everyone on board got great views. As we approached Bodega Canyon, the fog parted. Beyond the canyon, we reached 58F sea surface temperature, and the fog pushed out even more. The single highlight of the day was a COOK'S PETREL spotted by Steve Howell, as it zoomed past Wes Fritz's oil slick behind the boat. Since it was not foggy at that moment, everyone who was at the stern of the vessel was able to see the bird well. (About one third of the folks on board this sold out trip) This Cook's Petrel was in Marin County. Small rafts of storm-petrels were spotted, and others flew up to Wes' oil slick. Notably, both WILSON'S STORM-PETRELS and FORK-TAILED STORM-PETRELS made an excellent showing for all on board, especially great for the photographers. The jaeger show, over the slick was not too shabby, either! 150 LONG-TAILED JAEGERS! The fog disappeared by early afternoon, and we could see whale spouts in every direction— half a dozen BLUE WHALES, about 30 humpback whales. Two XANTUS' MURRELETS were spotted once we hit the temperature break. A TUFTED PUFFIN circled the vessel, and another one was spotted, sitting on the water. Great photo ops. Finally, on the way home, the captain took us over to see the half dozen summering GRAY WHALES off Bodega Head. We could see the crowds of people on the cliff, watching the whales, as well. Peter Pyle spotted an early, fly away, ANCIENT MURRELET, first of the fall season. It was a long, successful and smashing day for both seabirds and marine mammals!

We thank the many participants who came from near and far for this pelagic trip. The leaders were: Steve Howell, Peter Pyle, Lisa Hug, Wes Fritz, and Debi Shearwater. Once I receive some photographs, I will post them.

The complete species list follows:

SEPTEMBER 15, 2010 BODEGA CANYON & CORDELL BANK

PACIFIC LOON- 1

BLACK-FOOTED ALBATROSS- 30

NORTHERN FULMAR- 21

COOK'S PETREL- 1 (adult male)

PINK-FOOTED SHEARWATER- 50

BULLER'S SHEARWATER- 8

SOOTY SHEARWATER- 60

WILSON'S STORM-PETREL- 2

FORK-TAILED STORM-PETREL- 4

ASHY STORM-PETREL- 350

BLACK STORM-PETREL- 5

BROWN PELICAN- 2, offshore

BRANDT'S CORMORANT- 100

PELAGIC CORMORANT- 10 (1 offshore)

SURF SCOTER- 2, in harbor

WHITE-WINGED SCOTER- 1, in harbor

RED-NECKED PHALAROPE- 25

RED PHALAROPE- 30

SOUTH POLAR SKUA- 4

POMARINE JAEGER- 12

PARASITIC JAEGER- 8

PARASITIC/LONG-TAILED JAEGER- 2

LONG-TAILED JAEGER- 150

JAEGER SP.- 4

HEERMANN'S GULL- 100

CALIFORNIA GULL- 120

WESTERN GULL- 200

WESTERN/GLAUCOUS-WINGED GULL- 1

SABINE'S GULL- 6

ELEGANT TERN- 35

COMMON TERN- 2

ARCTIC TERN- 2

COMMON MURRE- 1000

PIGEON GUILLEMOT- 20

XANTUS' MURRELET- 2 (scrippsi)

ANCIENT MURRELET- 1

CASSIN'S AUKLET- 30

RHINOCEROS AUKLET- 200

TUFTED PUFFIN- 2

CALIFORNIA SEA LION- 2, offshore

GRAY WHALE- 6

BLUE WHALE- 5

HUMPBACK WHALE- 30

KILLER WHALE- 1, adult male

NORTHERN RIGHT WHALE DOLPHIN- 30

PACIFIC WHITE-SIDED DOLPIN- 16

DALL'S PORPOISE- 5

OCEAN SUNFISH- 1

SALMON SHARK- 1

UPCOMING TRIPS: A few spaces are still available on our September 17 trip departing at 7 am from Huck Finn Sportfishing Center, El Granada, Half Moon Bay. This new port is turning out to be extremely productive for seabirding. There is a lot of food, right now. Also, this port presents the nearest very warm water break, over 60F! Spaces are also available on our September 27; October 2 and 11 Half Moon Bay departures. From Monterey, we have spaces available on September 24 and 26; October 3, 9, 17. Please email me: debi@shearwaterjourneys.com, if you would like to make a reservation. I can only be reached by email at this time.

Shearwaters forever,

Debi Shearwater