Central CA Seabirding

Hello, Seabirders, CA County Birders, Whale Watchers, and Ocean Lovers,

Shearwater Journey's pelagic season is about to jump into full swing with our late summer and early fall boat trips from Monterey, Santa Cruz, Sausalito, Bodega Bay, and Fort Bragg. There is something for everyone on these trips, with lots of great birding on land in between boat trip days. Our trips from Monterey's Fishermans' Wharf have been running since 1976! This year, we return with trips from Santa Cruz on the north side of Monterey Bay. In past years, these trips were extremely productive. Santa Cruz is a bit easier to reach for folks coming from Silicon Valley, San Francisco and the Bay Area. 

MONTEREY PELAGIC TRIPS with spaces available:

JULY 25

AUGUST 15, 22, 29

SEPTEMBER 7 (limited number of spaces), 12, 14, 15, 22, 25, 27, 28

ALBACORE TRIPS FROM MONTEREY: (5:30 am - 5:30 pm)

SEPTEMBER 13

OCTOBER 5

FROM SANTA CRUZ (city on the north side of Monterey Bay):

SEPTEMBER 26

OCTOBER 12

BODEGA BAY TO THE BODEGA CANYON & CORDELL BANK:

AUGUST 1, 12

SEPTEMBER 19

OCTOBER 9, 17

FORT BRAGG:

AUGUST 8, 10

SAUSALITO TO THE FARALLON ISLANDS:

AUGUST 10 SOLD OUT (sorry)

Note that some really nice land/sea birding combinations are possible — August 8 Fort Bragg pelagic, August 9 birding on land in the area, August 10 Fort Bragg pelagic, August 11 birding Highway 1 south to Bodega Bay, August 12 Bodega Bay pelagic trip. This land/sea combination is excellent for both the out of state birders, who can benefit from the locals, but also for those CA county birders who are looking to add new species to their county lists. With many birders out in the field, something unusual is bound to be discovered! One year, in Fort Bragg, it was a Yellow Wagtail, another it was Bar-tailed Godwit! Excellent birding in both the Fort Bragg area and Bodega Bay make this a very attractive outing. Last year, we found whales on every single Shearwater Journeys' trip! I expect the same this year, however, I think we have an excellent chance for Blue Whales this year. Krill is abundant. Northern alcids — Horned Puffins and Ancient Murrelets have been observed recently, as well as the southern nesting Xantus's Murrelets. Its about time that we nailed down a Least Auklet! The offshore report from researchers is that 100+ Fork-tailed Storm-Petrels and Xantus's Murrelets were out at the Cordell Bank recently! 

For reservations, please contact Debra Shearwater at the information below. Please note that it will only be possible to contact Debra by email during the August 7 through August 11 period. Hope to see you out there!!

Shearwaters forever,

Debra

Debra Shearwater

Shearwater Journeys, Inc.

PO Box 190

Hollister, CA 95024

831.637.8527

debi@shearwaterjourneys.com

www.shearwaterjourneys.com

*Antarctica, South Georgia, & The Falkland Islands, January 5-24, 2010* 

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