Alaska Cruise

July 22, 2007

Hello, Seabirders,

Currently, I am on Holland America’s Amsterdam, which departed from Seattle, WA on July 20th. Say, what? Okay, so its not your ordinary “pelagic trip!” Nevertheless, I’m out at sea, enjoying cabin service, the hot tub and fantastic food while birding, along with 1200 other passengers. Who says seabirding can’t be done in luxury?

This morning, I awoke to a SOUTH POLAR SKUA, flying outside my cabin window. It was soon followed by several ARCTIC TERNS and two POMARINE JAEGERS. So, that had me jumping out of bed to find out what else was around. Several TUFTED PUFFINS flew off, followed by a single HORNED PUFFIN, which was spotted by my friend, Don Doolittle. By far, the most abundant bird of the day has been LEACH’S STORM-PETREL, with over 200 recorded. One FORK-TAILED STORM-PETREL was flying off the bow of the ship. Breaching and tail-lobbing HUMPBACK WHALES made a great show.

Seas are fairly calm, about a Beaufort 1-1.5; sea surface temperature is 14C. We are traveling on average at 22 knots, and headed for Juneau, Alaska.

The following species list is for BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA ABOUT 9O MILES OFF THE MAINLAND: (74 miles SE of the tip of Queen Charlotte Island, 85 miles NNW of Nootka Island; N50.50, W129.54 at 11 am. and N51.11, W130.10 about noon).

BLACK-FOOTED ALBATROSS-18
NORTHERN FULMAR-9
SOOTY/SHORT-TAILED SHEARWATER-8
SHORT-TAILED SHEARWATER-12
LEACH’S STORM-PETREL-200+
FORK-TAILED STORM-PETREL-1
SOUTH POLAR SKUA-1
POMARINE JAEGER-2
ARCTIC TERN-8
TUFTED PUFFIN-20+
COMMON MURRE-12
HORNED PUFFIN-1
RHINOCEROS AUKLET-20
GLAUCOUS-WINGED GULL-6
HERRING GULL-3
HUMPBACK WHALE-6

Shearwaters in luxury,
Debi