The following summary is from reports of Shearwater Journeys pelagic trips by month. These are general guidelines which apply to Monterey Bay trips. The mix and timing are slightly different for Cordell Banks trips. Obviously, other species than those listed can appear at any time and do! Rarities can appear at any time.

A few trip reports by location are here.

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January

January through March is the best time to study gulls. California, Western, Herring, Glaucous-winged, Mew, Thayer's, and Black-legged Kittiwakes can all be found in good numbers with a few Bonaparte's Gulls mixed in. Additionally, peak numbers of Rhinoceros Auklets and Cassin's Auklets occur. There is a mix of Sooty and Short-tailed Shearwaters so this is the optimal time for potentially viewing these close look-alikes side by side. January is the best time to see Yellow-billed Loon (if one happens to be around). This is your best chance for seeing Laysan Albatross. Depending on the year, Red Phalaropes and Ancient Murrelets may be present in good numbers.

February

January through March is the best time to study gulls. California, Western, Herring, Glaucous-winged, Mew, Thayer's, and Black-legged Kittiwakes can all be found in good numbers with a few Bonaparte's Gulls mixed in. Rhinoceros Auklets are starting to appear in their breeding plumage. Finally, there is a mix of Sooty and Short-tailed Shearwaters so this is the optimal time for potentially viewing these close look-alikes side by side. Red Phalaropes and Ancient Murrelets numbers decrease.

March

In March, there still exists a good variety of gulls. However, Rhinoceros and Cassin's Auklet numbers are starting to decrease as they move northward to the Farallon Islands to breed. Unfortunately, there are usually no Shearwater Journey's pelagic trips in March. Check the schedule.

April

April is a transition month. The gull numbers start to decrease (Kittiwakes moving northward) and Auklet numbers are low. Pigeon Guillemots are on the increase and Black-footed Albatross abound. This is the best time to view large numbers of northbound loons, and scoters. After prolonged northwest winds, Fork-tailed Storm-Petrels may be present.

May

Albatross numbers are high and northbound loons and scoters are still present. There is a good chance of seeing Arctic Terns and the first Sabine's Gulls. Short-tailed Shearwaters are almost gone. Breeding plumage Red Phalaropes can sometimes be seen.

June

This is the peak of the albatross season. Also, the Sooty Shearwater numbers dramatically increase and Pink-footed Shearwaters also begin to appear in larger numbers. Breeding plumage Red Phalaropes can sometimes be seen.

July

Albatross numbers decrease significantly but Sooty Shearwaters continue to increase. The first Sabine's Gulls and Arctic Terns are returning on their southbound migration. Blue and Humpback Whales move in (dependent on available krill).

August

Albatross numbers have slowed to a trickle and you are lucky to see one in Monterey in August. Sabine's Gulls and Arctic Terns are increasing. Arctic Terns and Long-tailed Jaegers peak at the end of August. Also, there is a chance for the first groups of Ashy Storm-Petrels and Buller's Shearwaters. Blue Whales are peaking. Red-necked Phalaropes reappear.

September

The beginning of September is the best time to see large numbers of Arctic Terns, Sabine's Gulls and, if well offshore, Long-tailed Jaegers but numbers drop significantly by the end of the month. South Polar Skuas increase at mid-month. Pomarine and Parasitic Jaegers are common. Shearwater variety increases to include Sooty, Pink-footed, Buller's (variable), Black-vented (warm water years), and Flesh-footed (variable). September is a time of rarities such as Streaked and Manx Shearwaters, and Tropicbirds (Albacore Grounds). Flocks of Ashy and Black Storm Petrels (Storm Petrel study tours) can be found with the occasional Wilson's, Fork-tailed, or Least (warm water years). Tufted Puffin and Red Phalarope are possible. Significant numbers of Red-necked Phalaropes are present.

October

Shearwater variety and numbers are highest to include a few incoming Short-tailed Shearwaters and Fulmars. South Polar Skuas peak at the beginning of the month. Pomarine and Parasitic Jaegers are common. Storm-Petrel numbers and variety are peaking and a few of the wintering gulls (Glaucous-winged and Mew) begin to reappear. Xantus' and Craveri's Murrelets are possible. Sabine's Gulls, Arctic Terns, and Long-tailed Jaegers are rare. Tufted Puffin and Red Phalarope are possible.

November

Another transitional month when shearwater numbers and variety start to decrease. Skuas become rarer and Cassin's and Rhinoceros Auklets increase. The first Yellow-billed Loon may reappear in the large flocks of returning Pacific Loons. Tufted Puffin and Ancient Murrelet are possible. Red Phalaropes replace Red-necked Phalaropes.

December

Gull variety and numbers have returned to January through March levels and Cassin's and Rhinoceros Auklets abound. Sooty and Short-tailed Shearwaters can be studied side by side. Red Phalaropes and Ancient Murrelets may be present.

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