Howdy, Birders,
The highlight of Shearwater Journeys October 13, 2018 Monterey Bay pelagic trip was a MASKED BOOBY, only the third record for Santa Cruz County.
It was a beautiful, calm day at sea with many highlights, including six species of shearwaters: SOOTY, SHORT-TAILED, PINK-FOOTED, MANX, BLACK-VENTED, and BULLERS. We also had wonderful views of BLACK-FOOTED ALBATROSS, POMARINE and PARASITIC JAEGERS, SOUTH POLAR SKUA, RED and RED-NECKED PHALAROPES, and RHINOCEROS AUKLETS.
Marine mammals included at least 20 humpback whales, 150 Pacific white-sided dolphins, 10 Northern right whale dolphins, 28 Rissos dolphins, and one Northern fur seal, and the usual California sea lions and sea otters.
The MASKED BOOBY was spotted about 11:40 a.m., attracted to the flock of gulls behind our vessel. It made a quick pass, flying rapidly off our bow. A dramatic chase by our Captain Tinker ensued! The booby landed on the sea with a small flock of gulls. Careful approach by our vessel allowed for a positive ID and a great many images! This was a lot of fun!
Our last pelagic trip of the season is Sunday, OCTOBER 21 with leaders Alex Rinkert, Nick Levendosky, Jim Holmes, Debi Shearwater. Spaces are available. For a reservation, please email me: debi@... .
The complete species list for OCTOBER 13, 2018 Shearwater Journeys trip covering both MONTEREY/SANTA CRUZ COUNTIES follows:
PACIFIC LOON: 1/0 COMMON LOON: 7/11 BLACK-FOOTED ALBATROSS: 3/2 NORTHERN FULMAR: 3/6 PINK-FOOTED SHEARWATER: 160/205 BULLERS SHEARWATER: 6/6 SOOTY SHEARWATER: 120/32 SHORT-TAILED SHEARWATER: 3/0 MANX SHEARWATER: 1/0 BLACK-VENTED SHEARWATER: 2/0 **MASKED BOOBY: 0/1 BROWN PELICAN: 115/2 BRANDTS CORMORANT: 150/3 DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT: 1/0 RED-NECKED PHALAROPE: 60/6 RED PHALAROPE: 13/0 SOUTH POLAR SKUA: 1/1 POMARINE JAEGER: 0/1 PARASITIC JAEGER: 2/0 BONAPARTES GULL: 2/0 HEERMANNS GULL: 28/0 CALIFORNIA GULL: 115/96 HERRING GULL: 2/0 WESTERN GULL: 365/108 GLAUCOUS-WINGED GULL: 1/0 ELEGANT TERN: 60/0 COMMON MURRE: 285/185 PIGEON GUILLEMOT: 1/0 CASSINS AUKLET: 6/1 RHINOCEROS AUKLET: 470/155 OSPREY:1/0 PEREGRINE FALCON: 1/0 WOOD DUCK: 1/0 WARBLER SP.:1/0
The leaders for October 13 included: Scott and Linda Terrill, Nick Levendosky, Alex Rinkert, and Debi Shearwater. Special thanks to Nick for carrying my great pyrenees doggie, on and off the boat. It was her first pelagic trip and I think it will be her last! Shes not a sailor dog!
See you out there! One more trip for 2018! 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