Thursday, March 12, 2009

FIN DEL MUNDO: USHUAIA, ARGENTINA

Hello, Adventurers,

After 26 ± hours, Don and I have arrived in Ushuaia, Argentina— the town that calls itself, "Fin del Mundo," End of the World. Our travel here went remarkably well with no hitches with airlines or luggage! We departed San Francisco, California about noon yesterday for the 5 hour flight to Miami, Florida. Once, there, we connected to our eight hour American flight, non-stop to Buenos Aires, Argentina. We arrived on time, proceeded through immigration, which took about 40 minutes, and then claimed out bags, and made our way through customs. At the Aerolineas Argentina ticket counter, we learned that for $25 we could jump on an earlier flight, thereby avoiding a 5 hour wait for our scheduled flight! By the time we purchased the new ticket, the flight was boarding. Luckily, this was a non-stop flight, as often a stop is made at Rio Gallagos. Three and a half hours latter, we were on the ground at the small, but growing Ushuaia. The flight up the Beagle Channel was spectacular, with the jagged mountains all around.
On the ground, we wasted no time in renting a car, and began birding right at the airport ponds, and along other shorelines. Old friends, posed for our cameras: CHIMANGO (8) and SOUTHERN CRESTED CARACARA (9); KELP (350) and DOLPHIN GULLS (12); a couple ASHY-HEADED GEESE (3), many KELP GEESE (50) foraging on kelp; CRESTED DUCKS (200), CHILOE WIDGEONS (20), YELLOW-BILLED PINTAILS (30) FLYING STEAMER DUCKS (18); SOUTHERN LAPWING (4); NEOTROPICAL (12), IMPERIAL (30), and ROCK (3) SHAGS; MAGELLANIC (80) and BLACKISH (70) OYSTERCATCHERS; SOUTH AMERICAN TERNS (50); SILVERY GREBE (2); AMERICAN KESTREL (2), and GRAY-FLANKED CINCLODES.
After a couple of hours of birding, we checked in at Hostal Malvinas. Our friend and expedition leader, Troels, joined us for coffee. Dinner was at our favorite restaurant, Volver, which specializes in crab.
All flights on time, luggage delivered, a good start on birding, only a little bit of rain— we are off to a great start.


Debra Shearwater, Charter Master 2010
Don Doolittle, Expedition Photographer

DEBRA SHEARWATER
831/637-8527
PO Box 190, Hollister, CA 95024
Antarctica, South Georgia, & The Falkland Islands: January 5-24, 2010
Exclusive charter with Debra Shearwater
Only 3 cabins available
Posted by Debra Shearwater at 5:53 PM 0 comments
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Saturday, March 7, 2009

SBT COUNTY: LONG-BILLED CURLEW DISPLAY

Howdy, Birders,

On my mail run today, I made a few ramblings around San Benito County (SBT). The most significant find was 529 LONG-BILLED CURLEWS on Quien Sabe Road (N3648/W2115). They were using both sides of the road, circling flights of flocks as small as 33 birds, and as large as 380 birds, calling as they flew. They would settle down, feeding on the ground. I did count each bird. Apparently, this area is extremely important to them, as I have seen flocks of hundreds here in past years, too. This location is just beyond the intersection of Quien Sabe Road and Santa Anita Road— a wonderful grassland area, studded with oaks. At that intersection last June, I saw a badger. Bobcats are regularly seen there, too. After venturing just a short distance up Quien Sabe, I turned around and headed for Santa Anita, again. A Burrowing Owl has been hanging around the same area as the curlews, but I did not see it today. 

As I made my way down the road, I noticed a commotion of Turkey Vultures, Ravens, Yellow-billed Magpies, and an adult BALD EAGLE. So, I stopped the car and turned the engine off since I was sure that they were all on some sort of kill. I did not want to disturb the feeding process. Eventually, I saw the eagle fly to an oak tree, where it perched, shredding some sort of guts. Magpies and ravens were jostling on nearby branches for bits and pieces. 

Had a nice drive down Santa Anita Road, with no particularly unusual birds. A GREAT-HORNED OWL was sitting on a nest in a eucalyptus tree. This is a great road in the spring! California Poppies and lupines were in bloom along the roadside. In another 10 days, it will be hopping with migrant kingbirds, I suppose.

Speaking of kingbirds— quite a few CASSIN'S KINGBIRDS have been around in the county-- mostly on Santa Ana Valley Road. I saw one today at mm 4.42. This is not too far from the ranch where twelve years ago, Al de Martini, Dave Shuford and I confirmed nesting Cassin's and Western Kingbirds in the euc trees. A soaring COOPER'S HAWK was being dive-bombed by two BARN SWALLOWS in Santa Ana Valley. A few days ago I saw 600+ VIOLET-GREEN and TREE SWALLOWS soaring over the fields at the edge of the mountains. SAVANNAH SPARROWS dotted the fences. 

On John Smith Road, at the newly created pond at Guerra Vineyards, a male MERLIN was perched in a small tree while a Coot swam in the pond. 

Spring is coming--
Debra

Debra Shearwater
Shearwater Journeys, Inc.
PO Box 190
Hollister, CA 95024
831.637.8527

**Antarctica, South Georgia, & The Falkland Islands, January 5-24, 2010* 
Shearwater Journeys' Exclusive Charter
Only 3.5 cabins available! Act now!

Posted by Debra Shearwater at 10:56 PM 0 comments

Thursday, February 19, 2009

SBT COUNTY: PAICINES RESERVOIR

Howdy, Birders,

Paicines Reservoir this morning was beautiful in the morning sunlight, after those rainy days. I birded from 8:30 am until 9:45 am. Highlights included: a possible RUFF on the northeast side of the edge of the water, quite a long distance when scoping from the pull out lot. I would love it, if someone else could confirm this ID. 

PLEASE NOTE: There is a new sign on the gate on the dike at the pullout which says, "BIRDERS- Please enjoy our birds from the other side of this gate." So, please do not go through the gate, and walk on the dike. 

In addition to the possible Ruff, two CASSIN'S KINGBIRDS were on the telephone wires at the north end of the pullout when I arrived. By the time I left, they were hunting from the single, leafless willow tree in the dried out part of the reservoir. One TREE SWALLOW was hawking over the water. A good variety of ducks/waterfowl was present: Common and Hooded Mergansers, Ring-necked Ducks, Cinnamon and Green-winged Teal, Gadwall, Canvasbacks, Ruddy Ducks, American Widgeon, Clark's/Western Grebes, one White Pelican, and about 46 peeps. 

On Quien Sabe Road, I found 2 FERRUGINOUS HAWKS, 18 LONG-BILLED CURLEWS, one BURROWING OWL, and one adult BALD EAGLE. A BOBCAT was hunting ground squirrels on the hillside. SNOW could still be seen covering the Diablo Mountains! 

On Santa Ana Valley Road, a subadult GOLDEN EAGLE was hunting ground squirrels. 

Hope to see you out there!
Debra

Debra Shearwater
Shearwater Journeys, Inc.
PO Box 190
Hollister, CA 95024
831.637.8527
www.shearwaterjourneys.com

*Antarctica, South Georgia, & The Falkland Islands, January 5-24, 2010* 
Shearwater Journeys' Exclusive Charter

Posted by Debra Shearwater at 9:45 PM 0 comments

Tuesday, January 6, 2009

Start the year with Seabirds: January 17

Hello, Seabirders,

Kick start your year with seabirds by joining Shearwater Journeys on our JANUARY 17TH pelagic trip, departing from Fishermans' Wharf in Monterey at 7 am, and returning about 3 pm. Last year's January trip included Black-footed Albatross, Northern Fulmar, Pink-footed and Short-tailed Shearwaters, nine species of gulls, including Black-legged Kittiwakes, Common Murres, Pigeon Guillemot, Ancient Murrelets, Rhinoceros Auklets, and inshore birds: Red-throated, Pacific, and Common Loons, four species of grebes, Long-tailed and Harlequin Ducks in the harbor and Surfbirds on the jetty. Marine mammals included Gray Whales and Pacific White-sided Dolphins. 

Please contact Debra, see below, for a reservation.

Reports from Monterey Bay indicate that it is quite "birdy" right now. This would be a great trip for photographers!

Shearwaters forever,
Debra

Debra Shearwater
Shearwater Journeys, Inc.
PO Box 190
Hollister, CA 95024
831.637.8527
www.shearwaterjourneys.com

*Antarctica, South Georgia, & The Falkland Islands, January 5-24, 2010* 
Shearwater Journeys' Exclusive Charter

Posted by Debra Shearwater at 9:19 PM 0 comments

Sunday, January 4, 2009

SPARKLING NEW YEAR: 2009!

Birders,

I would like to take this moment to wish you all the best in the coming year. May it be filled with many special birds and wildlife moments, endearing friends, and good health throughout your days! This image by Don Doolittle from our recent Panama trip, best portrays my wishes for you—






Thank you for reading this blog!

Debra

Debra Shearwater
Shearwater Journeys, Inc.
PO Box 190
Hollister, CA 95024
831.637.8527
www.shearwaterjourneys.com
*Antarctica, South Georgia, & The Falkland Islands, January 5-24, 2010* 
Shearwater Journeys' Exclusive Charter

Posted by Debra Shearwater at 2:01 PM 0 comments

Thursday, January 1, 2009

STELLER'S ALBATROSS: DECEMBER 29, 2008

Happy New Year, Seabirders!

It is my pleasure to relay an exciting report of an immature STELLER'S ALBATROSS (Short-tailed Albatross). It was reported to me by Vince Orsini who saw it on December 29, 2008 just north of the Cordell Banks in 1100 feet of water at 38 07.21 and 123 28.74. Vince reported that the albatross flew within 100 feet of his boat, Miss Anita, at least a dozen times. Vince, his partner, Ed, and four passengers were on board. One of the passengers may have obtained defining photographic images that should be forthcoming. 

Many of Shearwater Journeys' participants will remember Vince well, as he first began trips with us as a deckhand in Monterey in 1985. Even in the 1980's Vince was an avid seabirder, who pointed out many lifers. He later joined us for many years on our trips departing from Bodega Bay where he was on board the one and only pelagic trip that traveled from Bodega Bay to Fort Bragg and back— discovering North America's first record of an adult White-capped Albatross! (Shy Albatross). 

What a way to end the year!

Albatrosses forever,
Debra

Debra Shearwater
Shearwater Journeys, Inc.
PO Box 190
Hollister, CA 95024
831.637.8527
www.shearwaterjourneys.com
*Antarctica, South Georgia, & The Falkland Islands, January 5-24, 2010* 
Shearwater Journeys' Exclusive Charter

Posted by Debra Shearwater at 7:21 PM 0 comments
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