TRIP REPORT: AUGUST 17, 2011: BODEGA CANYON & CORDELL BANK

Howdy, Birders,

This is a trip report for Shearwater Journeys' pelagic trip departing from Bodega Bay on Friday, August 19, 2011. The nearshore weather was foggy and quite breezy, but once we were about 20 miles offshore, the seas calmed and the fog parted. In total, we traveled some 30 miles offshore. No rare seabirds were found. The sea surface temperature was very cold— 50 to 53F, with virtually no warm water anywhere in the area. All in all, we had a pretty good day and nice showing of seabirds, dolphins and whales. So, it was one of those "standard" days! And, folks who know me know that I call it as it is without embellishment. Just a good, solid day at sea. Some highlights were outstanding views of FORK-TAILED, ASHY and WILSON'S STORM-PETRELS, SABINE'S GULLS, ARCTIC TERNS, gorgeous LONG-TAILED JAEGERS and increasing numbers of BULLER'S SHEARWATERS. And, no one was seasick.

Many thanks to all of those who came from near and far (Germany). The leaders on this day were: Lisa Hug, Alan Hopkins, Abe Borker and Debi Shearwater.

The complete species list for AUGUST 17, 2011 follows:

COMMON LOON- 5

WESTERN/CLARK'S GREBE- 3

BLACK-FOOTED ALBATROSS- 32

NORTHERN FULMAR- 150

PINK-FOOTED SHEARWATER- 80

BULLER'S SHEARWATER- 15

SOOTY SHEARWATER- 65

WILSON'S STORM-PETREL- 1

FORK-TAILED STORM-PETREL- 185

ASHY STORM-PETREL- 40

BROWN PELICAN- 2, offshore

BRANDT'S CORMORANT- 500, nearshore

PELAGIC CORMORANT- 12

SURF SCOTER- 2, outside harbor

BLACK OYSTERCATCHER- 1, inshore

RUDDY TURNSTONE- 4, on the jetty

BLACK TURNSTONE- 40, on the jetty

DOWITCHER SP.- 5, offshore

RED-NECKED PHALAROPE- 25

RED/RED-NECKED PHALAROPE- 100

RED PHALAROPE- 225

POMARINE JAEGER- 3

PARASITIC JAEGER- 1

LONG-TAILED JAEGER- 25

CALIFORNIA GULL- 3

WESTERN GULL- 50

SABINE'S GULL- 39

ELEGANT TERN- 3, outside the harbor, 6 inside

COMMON/ARCTIC TERN- 7

ARCTIC TERN- 12

COMMON MURRE- 205

PIGEON GUILLEMOT- 35

CASSIN'S AUKLET- 61

RHINOCEROS AUKLET- 6

CALIFORNIA SEA LION- 7

HARBOR SEAL- 2, inshore

BLUE WHALE- 1

HUMPBACK WHALE- 15

NORTHERN RIGHT WHALE DOLPHIN- 43

PACIFIC WHITE-SIDED DOLPHIN- 100

DALL'S PORPOISE- 12

Images from this trip will follow in a future post. We covered both Sonoma and Marin Counties.

Our next four trips, all depart from Noyo Harbor, Fort Bragg. This afternoon we received a report from the fishermen off Shelter Cove. They caught 50 albacore (tuna) only 16 miles offshore. A "hard" edge, sea surface temperature has made for excellent fishing. This is EXACTLY what is needed for our upcoming trips! So, the conditions are looking very, very promising. More records of Hawaiian Petrels have been found out of Fort Bragg than anywhere on along the west coast, with as many as three individuals in one day, and one petrel that was followed for a record 17 minutes. RESERVATIONS are necessary, and can only be made by emailing me tonight, or early tomorrow morning. I will be driving from Bodega Bay to Fort Bragg, tomorrow. Current openings are:

FRI, AUG 19: 2 SPACES

SAT, AUG 20: 1 SPACE

SUN, AUG 21: 2 SPACES

MON, AUG 22: 8 SPACES

Hope you can jump on board!

Shearwaters forever,

Debi Shearwater

UPDATE: BODEGA BAY & FORT BRAGG TRIPS

Howdy, Seabirders,

This is an update regarding Shearwater Journeys'upcoming pelagic trips. Spaces are still available on the WED, AUG 17 pelagic trip, departing at 0630 from BODEGA BAY on the NEW SEA ANGLER. I spoke with the skipper tonight, who said that the marine forecast was good.

FORT BRAGG TRIPS: Depart at 0630 from NOYO HARBOR on the TELSTAR (NOT the Trek II). Try the Surf Motel in Fort Bragg, and say that you are with Debi Shearwater. They might still offer you a discounted room. More information on this blog report.

AUG 19: 3 spaces open

AUG 20: SOLD OUT

AUG 21: 1 space open

AUG 22: 8 spaces open

RESERVATIONS: Please email me with your name, address, cell phone. I will return your email to let you know IF you get on the trip, or not, when I can. If you do not hear from me, especially regarding the Fort Bragg trips, do not assume that you have a reservation. There is plenty of room on the Bodega Bay trip. Therefore, you will get on that trip, if you show up at the dock. Each trip is $196 per person + $10 fuel surcharge. Cash at the dock. Please do not send a check. I cannot be reached by phone. Obviously, I'm on the boat for each trip, and driving to the boats, on other days.

I sure hope that we find some Hawaiian Petrels! Kudos to the Santa Clara Valley Audubon folks who found a Hawaiian Petrel SSW of the Farallon Islands on August 13! See Dave Kutilek's images on his blog.

Below, I hope you will enjoy these incredible images by Tony Brake (copyright) from our August 12, Monterey Bay trip! I simply love the size comparisons!

Black-footed Albatross and Ashy Storm-Petrel, above.

Black-footed Albatross and Pink-footed Shearwater.

Check out those blue legs and fee on this Cassin's Auklet! Get out there!!

Shearwaters forever,

Debi Shearwater

HUNTING THE HAUNTING HAWAIIAN PETREL

HAWAIIAN PETREL

IMAGE BY DON DOOLITTLE, COPYRIGHT

Seabirders,

Are you on the hunt for HAWAIIAN PETREL (Pterodroma sandwichensis)? A possible recent sighting off the edge of the Continental Shelf, west of the Farallon Islands yesterday, has prompted a rash of inquiries.

The endangered Hawaiian Petrel breeds in the Hawaiian Islands at the summit areas of Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa, Hawai'i, Haleakala, Maui, and forested areas on Hawai'i, Kaua'i, and Lana'i. They population has been seriously impacted by loss of habitat, predation, as well as threats at sea. Tracking of four individuals, at sea has shown that these pterodromas foraging trips can exceed 10,000 km, passing right off the northern coast of California. Scientists believe that they use high pressure systems to aid and speed their flight across the central Pacific Ocean. See the tracking map on the Oikonos web site.

Shearwater Journeys has been a leader in pursuing this species off the northern California coast. No other seabirding trips have recorded this as often as Shearwater Journeys. The single best trips for spotting Hawaiian Petrel are during August from Fort Bragg. On one trip, we were able to follow a Hawaiian Petrel for a record 17 minutes! On another day, I announced at the dock that we would definitely not see any Hawaiian Petrels, as the seas were simply flat calm. Yet, we discovered not one, but three Hawaiian Petrels that day! Some were sitting on the water! The second best shot for finding this species would be the trips from Bodega Bay. One particular day, we found not only the first Northern Hemisphere and North American record of GREAT-WINGED PETREL, but also a HAWAIIAN PETREL flew up the wake on the way home. Two seabird mega-rarities in one day! Next best trips would be those departing from Half Moon Bay. We've not had enough trips from this harbor to know how things will pan out. To date, the trips that we have done have been superbly outstanding. Monterey Bay trips can turn up almost anything, but the further south one goes, the chances of Hawaiian Petrel seem to be less likely.

Recommendations, in order of "best chance" for Hawaiian Petrel, Cook's Petrel, and other rare seabirds:

FORT BRAGG: AUG 19- 2 SPACES OPEN

FORT BRAGG: AUG 20- SOLD OUT

FORT BRAGG: AUG 21- 3 SPACES OPEN

FORT BRAGG: AUG 22- 8 SPACES OPEN

BODEGA BAY: AUG 17- 10 SPACES OPEN

BODEGA BAY: SEP 14- 12 SPACES OPEN

HALF MOON BAY: SEP 16- 1 SPACE OPEN

HALF MOON BAY: SEP 17- 1 SPACE OPEN

HALF MOON BAY: SEP 18- 2 SPACES OPEN

HALF MOON BAY: SEP 19- 10 SPACES OPEN

RESERVATIONS are essential, especially for the Fort Bragg trips. Please note that I can only be reached by email. Do not call. Obviously, I am out on a boat every day that there is a trip. To make a reservation, send your name, full snail mail address and cell phone number. You will receive a reply email confirming your reservation, or not. Only cash is accepted at the dock, exact amount preferred. There is a $10 fuel surcharge per person, per trip. (All rates were set, October 2010, prior to fuel increases).

Need I say that COOK'S PETREL is also a possibility on any of these trips! Once we are "in the zone" and chumming with Wes's magic goo, anything is possible.

Hope to see you "out there"

Pterodromas forever,

Debi Shearwater

AUGUST 12, 2011 MONTEREY BAY: IMAGES OF THE DAY BY ABE BORKER

ABE BORKER

Howdy, Birders,

Please enjoy Abe Borker's images from Shearwater Journeys' August 12, 2011 Monterey Bay pelagic trip. It was a spectacular seabirding day! All images are copyright, Abe Borker. Please do not use without permission from Abe. To see more of Abe's outstanding images, click here.

Enjoy! Debi Shearwater

Above, Franklin's Gull and below, Black-footed Albatross.

Both Red and Red-necked Phalaropes were seen in good numbers, which are increasing each day.

Common Terns migrate offshore along with Arctic Terns, sometimes an ID challenge.

Franklin's Gull, above and below, uncommon in our area.

We tallied an amazing 225 Northern Fulmars, a high count for this time of year, but not unprecedented.

Sabine's Gull, above, will increase in numbers over the next several weeks.

The feeding frenzy behind the boat, above. Note the fulmar in the foreground.

Pomarine Jaeger above. All jaeger numbers will increase over the coming weeks.

Jaegers chase terns and gulls until they drop their food.

Um, mmm. I'd drop my food, if this mighty "hawk of the sea", above, was bearing down on me!

Some of the best, and closest views of Ashy Storm-Petrels, ever. Fork-tails and Blacks, too.

Most of the Laysan Albatrosses showing up at this time of year are likely from the breeding colony on Guadalupe Island, Mexico.

TRIP REPORT: AUGUST 12, 2011: MONTEREY BAY

Howdy, Birders,

Monterey's seabirds did not disappoint us on our sixth pelagic trip of the fall season! We started the trip with a bang— a stunningly beautiful FRANKLIN'S GULL in alternate plumage, just off Cannery Row. Although the face feathers are molting, the pink breeding blush on the breast is still evident. This bird followed us for several minutes. Other highlights included: LAYSAN ALBATROSS, FLESH-FOOTED SHEARWATER and four species of STORM-PETRELS.

Again, we found two SURFBIRDS, along with the usual BLACK TURNSTONES along the Coast Guard Breakwater. The PEREGRINE FALCON was, again, perched on the radio tower near the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Many father/chick COMMON MURRE pairs were present. PIGEON GUILLEMOTS were just outside the kelp beds.

Before 9:30 a.m. we had already ticked FORK-TAILED, ASHY and BLACK STORM-PETRELS, SABINE'S GULLS, NORTHERN FULMAR, BLACK-FOOTED ALBATROSS, RED and RED-NECKED PHALAROPES, CASSIN'S AUKLETS and ELEGANT TERNS. Yet, remarkably, we had not yet espied a PINK-FOOTED SHEARWATER. Soon enough, these tubenoses were following our vessel. Wes dropped out his superslick line and the storm-petrels put on quite a show! Great for nice close up views— some of the best views, ever, of Ashy Storm-Petrels.
Before long, a LAYSAN ALBATROSS flew in to check out the commotion! Meanwhile, POMARINE and PARASITIC JAEGERS harassed the gulls.
The SABINE'S GULL show following our boat was pretty spectacular. Amazingly, we saw no whales! The whale watching boats out on the bay also had a very difficult time finding any whales. They seemed to have disappeared. The only cetaceans for the day were two BOTTLENOSE DOLPHINS spotted by Jean Myer's along Cannery Row. Whales come and go, depending on where the food shows up. That's why it is always a good idea to book trips from at least two ports. I'd recommend our Half Moon Bay departures, as we had trouble navigating amongst the 75+ whales each day, last September! Nevertheless, the seabird show was awesome.

Many thanks to all of the birders who came from near and far (Belgium) for this trip. Shearwater Leaders on this day were: Jennifer Green, Wes Fritz, Todd McGrath, Abe Borker, John Sorensen and Debi Shearwater. Derek Lovitch, leader for Wings bird tour company, was a guest leader.

The complete species list follows:

12 AUGUST 2011 MONTEREY BAY with SHEARWATER JOURNEYS covering both Monterey and Santa Cruz Counties:

LAYSAN ALBATROSS- 1

BLACK-FOOTED ALBATROSS- 30

NORTHERN FULMAR- 225

PINK-FOOTED SHEARWATER- 42

FLESH-FOOTED SHEARWATER- 1, seen by only a few. A definite ID, not the dark morph Pink-footed Shearwater. First of fall.

SOOTY SHEARWATER- 5000

WILSON'S STORM-PETREL- 1, seen by only a few

FORK-TAILED STORM-PETREL- 4, (2 Monterey, 2 Santa Cruz Counties)

ASHY STORM-PETREL- 70

BLACK STORM-PETREL- 9

BROWN PELICAN- 7, offshore

BRANDT'S CORMORANT- 350

PELAGIC CORMORANT- 4

BLACK TURNSTONE- 9

SURFBIRD- 2

RED-NECKED PHALAROPE- 700

RED PHALAROPE- 300

RED/RED-NECKED PHALAROPE- 100

POMARINE JAEGER- 9

POMARINE/PARASITIC JAEGER- 1

PARASITIC JAEGER- 2

HEERMANN'S GULL- 40

CALIFORNIA GULL- 25

WESTERN GULL- 125

WESTERN/GLAUCOUS-WINGED GULL- 2

SABINE'S GULL- 52, 5 juvs, 4 first summer

*FRANKLIN'S GULL- 1

ELEGANT TERN- 13

COMMON TERN- 2

COMMON/ARCTIC TERN- 3

COMMON MURRE- 353

PIGEON GUILLEMOT- 21

CASSIN'S AUKLET- 21

RHINOCEROS AUKLET- 0, unusual

PEREGRINE FALCON- 1, on the radio tower

SEA OTTER- 12

CALIFORNIA SEA LION- 200

HARBOR SEAL- 2

BOTTLENOSE DOLPHIN- 2

MOON JELLIES + EGG YOLK JELLIES

All images in this post, copyright, ABE BORKER. Please do not use without permission from the photographer.

See more of Monterey's seabirds, as diversity and species numbers will only increase over the coming days: AUG 26; SEP 8, 9, 11, 12, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26; OCT 1, 8, 16; NOV 27. Or, join us on one a trip from one of the following ports: BODEGA BAY, FORT BRAGG and HALF MOON BAY. To view our complete schedule, click here. For reservations, please email me at: debi@shearwaterjourneys.com.

Shearwaters forever,

Debi Shearwater

FARALLON ISLANDS: August 7, 2011- More images

Hello, Seabirders & Photographers,

Thought you might enjoy a few more images from Shearwater Journeys' August 7, 2011 Farallon Islands trip, below, all copyright, Beth Hamel. Please do not use without permission from the photographer. We strive to offer photographers the opportunity to photograph wildlife on our trips. The much sought after, TUFTED PUFFIN, below.

PARASITIC JAEGER, below.

LAYSAN ALBATROSS, below.

NORTHERN FULMAR, below.

CASSIN'S AUKLET, below. One of the hardest alcids to photograph!

BLACK-FOOTED ALBATROSS, below.

Soaring BLACK-FOOTED ALBATROSS, below.

In Beth's words: "MANY THANKS FOR A VERY COOL TRIP!"

To see more of Beth's images check out her Flicker site.

Enjoy!

Debi Shearwater