copyright 2003 Shearwater Journeys

The August 18th Shearwater Journeys trip from Fort Bragg recorded a Dark-rumped Petrel about 8 miles off of Pt. Laguna about 9:00 AM. Remarkably, this is roughly the same location as last year's bird. The petrel was first spotted and identified by Steve Howell, and was seen at a distance of 200 yds for a minute or so. Most of the trip's participants saw the bird, but a couple were unable to find it in the relatively rough seas.

A complete trip report follows, but be aware there is an upcoming trip from Ft Bragg on September 5th. Call Debi Shearwater at 831-637-8527 for details on this and other exciting pelagic trips. Other trips on the schedule are starting to fill, so make your reservations now!

The trip today reached 18 miles from shore, in an escalating weather condition ranging from Beaufort 3 to 6. Increasing seas and wind conditions forced us in at about 3:30PM, but it didn't matter, we had already grabbed the brass ring!

Black-footed Albatross 34
Northern Fulmar 6
Dark-rumped Petrel 1
Pink-footed Shearwater 37
Buller's Shearwater 15
Sooty Shearwater 21
Ashy Storm-petrel 3
Red Phalarope 2
Phalarope Sp. 2
Pomarine Jaeger 9
Parasitic Jaeger 3
Long-tailed Jaeger 3
Jaeger Sp 2
Sabine's Gull 7
Common Tern 5
Common Murre 50
Pigeon Guillemot 18
Cassin's Auklet 5
Rhinoceros Auklet 19
The usual gulls and cormorants

Non-bird Highlights included
20 Pacific white-sided dolphins
1 Northern Fur Seal

Click on the Murrelet to find out how to reserve a trip.