Howdy, CALbirders,
This is a brief report of three pelagic trips, September 28, 29, and 30 operated by Shearwater Journeys, all departing from Fishermans Wharf, Monterey. Highlights included:
SEP 30: RED-FOOTED BOOBY a first record for Santa Cruz County made a speedy fly-by the stern of our vessel (images obtained); 760 SABINES GULLS in several flocks, both Monterey and Santa Cruz Counties; TUFTED PUFFIN in Monterey County. The flocks of Sabines Gulls were astounding and lovely to watch. One flock of over Pomarine Jaegers was nice.
SEP 29: All birds in Monterey County: MANX SHEARWATER sitting on the sea, excellent views for all on board; PEREGRINE FALCON chasing an ELEGANT TERN (first time Ive ever seen that); 2000 ELEGANT TERNS off Point Pinos along with thousands of seabirds and hundreds of Rissos, Pacific white-sided, and Northern right whale dolphins.
SEP 28: SIX SPECIES OF SHEARWATERS, including: MANX and SHORT-TAILED; 33 SABINES GULLS.
On all three trips we were able to find the last few remaining PIGEON GUILLEMOTS; all three species of jaegers; Red and Red-necked phalaropes; excellent views of BULLERS SHEARWATERS; good numbers of Rhinoceros Auklets and Common Murres. Marine mammals have been sensational, with 30 to 60 humpback whales per day. There is a LOT of food in Monterey Bay, mainly boiling anchovies. These trips were operated in conjunction with the Monterey Bay Birding Festival.
UPCOMING TRIPS with spaces available:
OCT 6 MTY with Scott & Linda Terrill, Nick Levendosky, Jim Holmes, Alex Rinkert, Debi Shearwater. OCT 7 HMB with Steve Hampton, Christian Schwarz, Jim Holmes, Debi Shearwater. OCT 13 MTY with Alex Rinkert, Nick Levendosky, Scott & Linda Terrill, Debi Shearwater. OCT 21 MTY with Alex Rinkert, Nick Levendosky, Jim Holmes, Debi Shearwater.
All of the October trips will endeavor to head to Santa Cruz County!
Reservations: email me: debi@... .
Rare seabirds that have been found during the month of October include: Wedge-tailed Shearwater (twice), Great-winged Petrel, Streaked Shearwater, White-chinned Petrel, Parkinsons Petrel, Short-tailed Albatross, Wedge-rumped Storm-Petrel, Swallow-tailed Gull, and Thick-billed Murre. Most of these records were found on Shearwater Journeys trips.
Shearwater Journeys has twice set a world record of finding eight species of shearwaters in one day on October trips!
October is a great time to get out there!
Seabirding for Science, Debi Shearwater
DEBRA SHEARWATER Shearwater Journeys, Inc. PO Box 190 Hollister, CA 95024 831.637.8527 debi@... www.shearwaterjourneys.com www.shearwaterjourneys.blogspot.com
Celebrating 43 Years of Seabirding with Shearwater Journeys |