copyright 2006 Shearwater Journeys

Greetings, Seabirders,

Shearwater Journeys' pelagic trip from Fort Bragg on August 13th was just spectacular! Multiple highlights of the day included a magnificent   "DARK-RUMPED" PETREL which put on a spectacular show, flying off the bow of our boat for a record 17 minutes! As the sounds of many digital cameras clicked at lightning speed, our skipper, Jason Rosetti, managed to follow this incredible mega-rare (in the USA) pterodroma as it made repeated, swift arcing passes! This may be one of the few instances that a pterodroma has ever been followed by a vessel off California for such a long time! I'm estimating that well over 1000 digital images were shot of this bird!

Other, lesser, highlights of this weather-perfect day included: a LAYSAN ALBATROSS sitting on the water amongst a flock of BLACK-FOOTED ALBATROSSES; great views of small flocks of BULLER'S SHEARWATERS sitting on the water; a small flock of ASHY STORM-PETRELS; all three species of jaegers, including 32 LONG-TAILED JAEGERS; a SOUTH POLAR SKUA; two, calling XANTUS' MURRELETS; a fly-by MARBLED MURRELET in the morning, as we were leaving the harbor; a TUFTED PUFFIN flying around the boat when we stopped to put out an oil slick.

At the dockside, during the morning announcements, I reminded folks that a boat departing from Fort Bragg is already 50 miles further west as compared to departing from Monterey, since the California coastline does not run straight north and south. (See Peter Pyle's article in the latest issue of North American Birds, published by the American Birding Association) In addition, this trip was billed as a search for the "Mega-rarities" among seabirds. Consequently, I stated that a "mere" booby would not qualify for me! Naturally, we all realize that the rare seabirds, are just that—rare—and, therefore not seen on every trip. But, the Fort Bragg trips have produced so many truly rare seabirds in only a few years, that this one particular port may well be the best location to place your bets. The odds are good.

We departed Noyo Harbor at 7 am for the Noyo Canyon and Viscaino Knoll, some 35 miles offshore. The winds were from the northwest at 15-20 knots, just right for flying seabirds, and for seabirders. No, or very little spray was coming over the boat, making it easy for birders to see the vast numbers of birds. There was no fog, and the skies were uniformly, high overcast. Perfect conditions for the best seabird trip. The sea surface temperature was 51-52 F throughout the day, alerting me to the fact that seabirding could be fantastic. Furthermore, we began the day with hundreds of seabirds, and we ended the day with many seabirds. There was no lull in the day, and birders were on keyed up all day, checking out every single bird within view. To top off the trip, the boat was laden with a high percentage of very experienced seabirders—not just the leaders, but many, many of the participants, as well. Special among the passengers, Herb and Olga Clarke were on board, celebrating 54 years of marriage. The, "Jersey Boys," George Wenzelburger, Bob Dodelson, Jim Zamos, and Ed Greaves, as well as our Mendocino loyals, Jerry White, Chuck Vaughn, and Matt Mattiessen joined us. Capping off our trip, we were joined by six of the "young birders"—Matt Brady, Ryan Terrill, Austin Booth, Oscar Johnson, Ayla Reith, and Brett. Their excitement and enthusiasm throughout the day was inspiring to everyone. And, thus, the Perfect Seabirding Day was born!

Approximately five miles offshore, we began to run into large numbers of shearwaters, which is normal for this trip. This occupied our time, but we pushed offshore for the canyon edges where we immediately found the first albatrosses of the day. The majority of the jaegers were far offshore, with Long-tails being the most numerous, as is the case at this time of year. The photographic opportunities were abundant—from Buller's Shearwaters and albatrosses sitting on the water, to the vocalizing Xantus' Murrelets, to the flying Tufted Puffin circling the boat, to the magnificent flight of the Dark-rumped Petrel. And, the cameras abounded. There must have been at least thirteen people on board with cameras, including video.

The "DARK-RUMPED" PETREL was spotted by leader, Lisa Hug. Ryan Terrill was also shouting the bird's name from the stern. It was 11:20 am, close to the hour when we have seen so many other rare seabirds. People rushed from the cabin to the rail, as the pterodroma flew by the boat. Soon, nearly everyone was crowded on the bow, as I gave directions for the skipper to follow the bird. We did this successfully for 17 minutes, with the bird making passes at the bow as closely as 30 feet. The thrilling excitement of this chase was unimaginable! Finally, the bird rapidly peeled off, leaving a wake of deliriously thrilled seabirders.

The "Dark-rumped" Petrel was only 18 miles offshore, at N39 36.619/W124 09.194 on the "sixth dog leg" of Noyo Canyon in 576 fathoms. The sea surface temperature was 52 F. One of the remarkable things about Fort Bragg trips is that we have found so many rare seabirds relatively close to shore, and this one was no exception. No need for the drudgery of a 100 mile offshore trip. Out of approximately 20 August Fort Bragg trips in the past 7 years, we have found "Dark-rumped" Petrel three times. We have identified this bird as "Dark-rumped" Petrel, even though the species has been split to Hawaiian and Galapagos Petrel, because, according to the world's best seabird experts, these two species are not separable in the field, or even necessarily in the hand at this time. Identification of seabirds is an evolving field, and new information may well become available in the future that will enable us to separate these two species in the field. If that should happen, the many photographs of this individual may prove invaluable.

Finally, capping off this incredible day, we all rushed to Virgin Creek Beach to look for the BAR-TAILED GODWIT which was found by Matthew Matthiessen. After successfully refinding and photographing the godwit, we also found Baird's Sandpiper, Snowy and Semipalmated Sandpipers, Surfbirds, Harlequin Ducks, and many other migrants. Not only is Fort Bragg a great seabirding spot, but also a great landbirding place. We wasted no time in making the best of an already better day!

While I could go on about this day, I will say that it was certainly one for the history books of California seabirding—The Perfect Seabirding Day! The leaders on this day were: Lisa Hug, Scott Terrill, Linda Terrill and Debra Shearwater. Chummer Matt Brady was assisted by the other young birders. I would like to express my thanks to the many participants who traveled to Fort Bragg (especially those flying in these trying times).

Shearwater Journey's upcoming pelagic trips include the following: From Fort Bragg on August 25 & 26 (thirteen spaces available on each trip) and September 17th. From Bodega Bay on August 15 & 28 and September 8, 15, 24 and October 9, 13, 20. From Monterey September 3, 9, 11, 22. 23, 29 and October 1, 6, 8, 22, 28. And, Albacore trips from Monterey on September 10 (limited spaces available) and 30 and October 7 and 15. RESERVATIONS: To make a reservation for the late August trips or for September 3rd, please contact JENNIFER GREEN at 831/479-3521 before 9 pm Pacific Time, or at greenotr@cruzio.com. For all reservations after September 3rd, please send a check or money order to Debra Shearwater at PO Box 190, Hollister, CA 95024. Please note, Debra will be out of the office until August 30th, either on boats, or working at her booth at the British Bird Fair.

The complete species list for the AUGUST 13, 2006 FORT BRAGG TRIP follows:

PACIFIC LOON-1 in the harbor
WESTERN GREBE-3
LAYSAN ALBATROSS-1
BLACK-FOOTED ALBATROSS-94
NORTHERN FULMAR-16
**DARK-RUMPED PETREL-1
PINK-FOOTED SHEARWATER-305
BULLER'S SHEARWATER-32
SOOTY SHEARWATER-2600
ASHY STORM-PETREL-20
BROWN PELICAN-40
BRANDT''S CORMORANT-30
DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT-1
PELAGIC CORMORANT-16
RED/RED-NECKED PHALAROPE-40
RED PHALAROPE-6
SOUTH POLAR SKUA-1
POMARINE JAEGER-6
POMARINE/PARASITIC JAEGER-2
PARASITIC JAEGER-5
LONG-TAILED JAEGER-32
JAEGER sp.-4
HEERMANN'S GULL-25
CALIFORNIA GULL-17
WESTERN GULL-80+
SABINE'S GULL-18
COMMON TERN-7
COMMON MURRE-175
PIGEON GUILLEMOT-6
MARBLED MURRELET-1
XANTUS' MURRELET-2
CASSIN'S AUKLET-5
RHINOCEROS AUKLET-75
TUFTED PUFFIN-1
CALIFORNIA SEA LION-8
Large whale sp. (probable humpback)-1

Many thanks to all who helped create the Perfect Seabirding Day,
Debi ---

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