copyright 2003 Shearwater Journeys

Hello, Seabirders,

Nothing is static in the world of migrating seabirds! The Shearwater Journey's trip this past Sunday, September 7th, proved that. While our total counts for seabirds were lower than expected, the marine mammals put on quite a show. Ocean conditions were excellent for the first two-thirds of the trip, with the winds blowing slightly in the afternoon. Sunny conditions made for very favorable conditions for the many photographers on board.

Seabirds for the day included: COMMON LOON (1), PACIFIC LOON (1), BLACK-FOOTED ALBATROSS (1), SOOTY SHEARWATER (350), PINK-FOOTED SHEARWATER (40), NORTHERN FULMAR (3), ASHY STORM-PETREL (2), POMARINE JAEGER (5), PARASITIC JAEGER (5), LONG-TAILED JAEGER (15), WESTERN GULL (400), CALIFORNIA GULL (30), HEERMANN'S GULL (150), SABINE'S GULL (17), ARCTIC TERN (4), COMMON TERN (1), ELEGANT TERN (225), COMMON MURRE (280), PIGEON GUILLEMOT (1), RHINOCEROS AUKLET (40), CASSIN'S AUKLET (30), TUFTED PUFFIN (1), XANTUS/CRAVER IS MURRELET (1), RED-NECKED PHALAROPE (4500), RED PHALAROPE (2500), BLACK TURNSTONE (6).

Just off of Point Pinos, we encountered over 30 whales! We turned the boat's engine off and listened to the blows of a dozen FIN WHALES and 21 BLUE WHALES, while the calls of the father and chick pairs of Common Murres surrounded us all around! DALL'S PORPOISE rode the bow of the boat, and ORCAS made an appearance at the close of the day.

The marine mammal list follows: BLUE WHALE (21), FIN WHALE (12), DALL'S PORPOISE (8), PACIFIC WHITE-SIDED DOLPHIN (6), RISSO'S DOLPHIN (24), HARBOR SEAL, CALIFORNIA SEA LION, SOUTHERN SEA OTTER.

Our next trips with spaces available are:

Monterey: Sep. 14, 14, 26; Oct. 3, 4, 5, 11, 17; Nov. 29; Dec. 15;

Santa Cruz: Sep 13, 27; Oct. 12;

Bodega Bay: Sep. 12, 28; Oct. 13, 19;

Fort Bragg: Sep. 21 and Oct. 15. Two good folks are still needing to get replacements for the Sep. 12 trip from Bodega Bay. Please check our web site for more information.

Good Seabirding,
Debi Shearwater

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