Howdy, CalBirders,
Highlights of Shearwater Journeys's most recent three pelagic trips are as follows:

August 15, Monterey (all birds for Monterey County): a massive feeding flock of SOOTY and BLACK-VENTED (450) SHEARWATERS along with as many as 30 Humpback Whales just outside of the harbor; offshore we found SOUTH POLAR SKUA and the first juvenile SABINE'S GULLS of the season, and one CRAVERI'S MURRELET. Marine mammals were terrific, ending the day with breaching Humpbacks. Full report:
http://shearwaterjourneys.blogspot.com/2014/08/monterey-seabirds-august-15-2014.html

August 16, Half Moon Bay was an incredibly amazing day at sea. Highlights: continuing good numbers of (129) BLACK-FOOTED ALBATROSSES; continuing BLACK-VENTED SHEARWATERS, more BULLER'S SHEARWATERS (first found on our 26 July trip); WILSON'S (12), ASHY (13) and BLACK (450) STORM-PETRELS near the 100 fathom edge (I have not found numbers of storm-petrels in such shallow water since the late 1970's to early 1980's); SOUTH POLAR SKUAS; SCRIPPS'S MURRELETS (2); and TUFTED PUFFINS (2).

Marine mammals that favor more tropical areas were a surprise on this trip. This included 250 LONG-BEAKED COMMON DOLPHINS, one "presumed" offshore BOTTLENOSE DOLPHIN and one DWARF/PYGMY SPERM WHALE. During the 39 years I've been doing pelagic trips, I've only seen Dwarf/Pygmy Sperm Whale once. (I have seen them on long range voyages in both the Atlantic and Pacific, though). I had views of this unique and little known cetacean five times on August 16th. Scott Terrill also saw this animal, but we were the only two on the trip who saw it. We prefer to identify it as Kogia, only, for want of a better view.

A ten foot SALMON SHARK that swam around our vessel for about 10 minutes gave everyone great views however. The full trip report with images:
http://shearwaterjourneys.blogspot.com/2014/08/half-moon-bay-pelagic-trip-jumping-with.html

The central coast of California is teaming with food. We have, in abundance, anchovies, sardines, squid and juvenile rockfish, along with loads of zooplankton (see my report). Squid is of particular interest. The salmon shark and dwarf/pygmy sperm whale, as well as Risso's dolphins and albatrosses are feeding on the squid. I am loathe to make "predictions" because they are so often off the mark, but I think it is safe to say that just about anything that feeds on squid could turn up. That includes the nocturnal feeding Swallow-tailed gull.

Our next trips from Monterey are August 22 with Scott Terrill, Rick Fournier, Jennifer Green and I co-leading, and from Half Moon Bay on August 23 with Scott Terrill, Linda Terrill, Steve Tucker, Will Brooks and I co-leading. Most (all) of Monterey Bay and Half Moon Bay are welling in warm water at 61 to 63 F. It is like one big bathtub out there. The "edge" is 70 miles off Half Moon Bay at this time. These things will, of course, change over the next several weeks. It seems likely to me that a lot of the birdlife is out at the edge, including most of the jaegers, Buller's shearwaters and Arctic and Common Terns.

Departing from Bodega Bay, we have trips on September 1 with Steve Howell, Lisa Hug, Tim Miller, Al DeMartini and I co-leading and on September 19 with Peter Pyle, Steve Howell, Lisa Hug, Steve Tucker, Jennifer Green and I co-leading. The only 50-some degree water is out at Bodega Canyon. If this holds up and the area is not infiltrated by warm water, it could be a very interesting place for seabirds.

And, loads more trips from Monterey and Half Moon Bay throughout September and October. See our full schedule at:
http://www.shearwaterjourneys.com/schedule.shtml

Squid Schools Forever,
Debi Shearwater

DEBRA SHEARWATER
Shearwater Journeys, Inc.
PO Box 190
Hollister, CA 95024
831.637.8527
debi@...
www.shearwaterjourneys.com
www.shearwaterjourneys.blogspot.com

Birding Down Under: SubAntarctic Islands, November 9 - 25, 2014 with Debi- SOLD OUT
Russian Far East Voyages: May/June 2016 with Debi- discounted cabins available now