copyright 2003 Shearwater Journeys

Hello, Seabirders,

The May 11th pelagic trip sponsored by Shearwater Journeys from Fort Bragg was a very pleasing and satisfying trip for all on board. A full boat load of seabirders departed from Noyo harbor at 7 am. with leaders: Peter Pyle, Steve Howell, Jim Danzenbaker, Luke Cole, Lisa Hug, Scott Terrill, Linda Terrill, Todd McGrath, Jennifer Green, and Debra Shearwater. With many recent reports of Murphy's Petrels offshore, all on board had high hopes for seeing this enigmatic Pterodroma. We were not disappointed!

We saw the usual nearshore species, including Brandt's, Pelagic, and Double-crested Cormorants, Wandering Tattler, and Pigeon Guillemot. Pacific Loons were migrating just offshore. Seas were low, and never amounted to much more than a Beaufort 2-3 most of the day, making it one of the finer May trips. We headed directly for Noyo Canyon, making excellent time in our vessel which recently had brand new and faster engines installed. Shearwater numbers picked up at the canyon, but we pressed on for Viscaino Knoll and the Viscaino Canyon beyond it. In all, we motored some 38-40 miles offshore.

The first Murphy's Petrel flew past the bow of the boat just after 12 noon! (During the morning announcements, I had reminded birders that most of the many rare seabirds sighted on our trips have been found after noon, or later in the day!). Unfortunately, only the 10 folks on the bow of the boat saw the first Murphy's Petrel. I was at the stern and missed it.

However, at 4:10 pm a second Murphy's was found and flew around the boat for quite awhile, even approaching us relatively closely a few times. Our pro chummers, Matt Brady and David Vander Pluym, dumped a bottle of cod liver oil overboard, and the petrel actually alighted on the ocean near the slick! Slick! That didn't last long, and soon it was up and flying. Some folks even managed to get photos of the bird! This bird was only 16.85 miles off of Laguna Point, once again, proving that rare seabirds are not always out there in the 100 mile range.

Everyone on board had excellent views of the second Murphy's Petrel, and celebrated royally. It was a life bird for many. Nearing the harbor at the end of our successful day, we sang Happy Birthday to our chummer, Matt Brady. Great day, all around!

Our next trips from Fort Bragg:

August 15
August 16 (almost full)
August 17 (ADDED TRIP)
September 21
October 15

Coming up sooner, we have trips from Santa Cruz:

June 1

Monterey:

July 25
August 2, 8, 23, & 31

Bodega Bay:

July 27
August 9 (note that August 18th is sold out)

July and early August is quite possibly the best time for a southern hemisphere rarity. Past Shearwater Journey's trips at that time of year have found: Short-tailed Albatross, Shy Albatross, Dark-rumped Petrel, Great-winged Petrel, and Bulwer's Petrel!

The complete list for the May 11th trip by Shearwater Journeys from Fort Bragg follows:

Common Loon-11
Pacific Loon-75
Red-throated Loon-1
Black-footed Albatross-30
Sooty Shearwater-635
Pink-footed Shearwater-61
Northern Fulmar-9
Murphy's Petrel-2
Leach's Storm-Petrel-1 (DLSh only)
Pomarine Jaeger-18
Pomarine/Parasitic Jaeger-4
Parasitic Jaeger-5
Herring Gull-2
Western Gull-300
California Gull-40
Bonaparte's Gull-2
Sabine's Gull-64
Common Tern-1
Arctic Tern-1
Common Murre-225
Pigeon Guillemot-12
Rhinoceros Auklet-62
Cassin's Auklet-28
Red-necked Phalarope-140
Red Phalarope-5,000
Long-billed Dowitcher-3
Wandering Tattler-2
Whimbrel-66
Brant-21
Pacific White-sided Dolphin-105
Dall's Porpoise-41
Northern Right Whale Dolphin-4
Northern Fur Seal-1
Northern Elephant Seal-2
California Sea Lion-20
Steller's Sea Lion-1, male

Hope to see you out there on the wild blue,
Debra Shearwater

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