This is a trip report for Shearwater Journeys' pelagic trip departing from Bodega Bay on Friday, August 19, 2011. The nearshore weather was foggy and quite breezy, but once we were about 20 miles offshore, the seas calmed and the fog parted. In total, we traveled some 30 miles offshore. No rare seabirds were found. The sea surface temperature was very cold— 50 to 53F, with virtually no warm water anywhere in the area. All in all, we had a pretty good day and nice showing of seabirds, dolphins and whales. So, it was one of those "standard" days! And, folks who know me know that I call it as it is without embellishment. Just a good, solid day at sea. Some highlights were outstanding views of FORK-TAILED, ASHY and WILSON'S STORM-PETRELS, SABINE'S GULLS, ARCTIC TERNS, gorgeous LONG-TAILED JAEGERS and increasing numbers of BULLER'S SHEARWATERS. And, no one was seasick.
Many thanks to all of those who came from near and far (Germany). The leaders on this day were: Lisa Hug, Alan Hopkins, Abe Borker and Debi Shearwater.
The complete species list for AUGUST 17, 2011 follows:
COMMON LOON- 5
WESTERN/CLARK'S GREBE- 3
BLACK-FOOTED ALBATROSS- 32
NORTHERN FULMAR- 150
PINK-FOOTED SHEARWATER- 80
BULLER'S SHEARWATER- 15
SOOTY SHEARWATER- 65
WILSON'S STORM-PETREL- 1
FORK-TAILED STORM-PETREL- 185
ASHY STORM-PETREL- 40
BROWN PELICAN- 2, offshore
BRANDT'S CORMORANT- 500, nearshore
PELAGIC CORMORANT- 12
SURF SCOTER- 2, outside harbor
BLACK OYSTERCATCHER- 1, inshore
RUDDY TURNSTONE- 4, on the jetty
BLACK TURNSTONE- 40, on the jetty
DOWITCHER SP.- 5, offshore
RED-NECKED PHALAROPE- 25
RED/RED-NECKED PHALAROPE- 100
RED PHALAROPE- 225
POMARINE JAEGER- 3
PARASITIC JAEGER- 1
LONG-TAILED JAEGER- 25
CALIFORNIA GULL- 3
WESTERN GULL- 50
SABINE'S GULL- 39
ELEGANT TERN- 3, outside the harbor, 6 inside
COMMON/ARCTIC TERN- 7
ARCTIC TERN- 12
COMMON MURRE- 205
PIGEON GUILLEMOT- 35
CASSIN'S AUKLET- 61
RHINOCEROS AUKLET- 6
CALIFORNIA SEA LION- 7
HARBOR SEAL- 2, inshore
BLUE WHALE- 1
HUMPBACK WHALE- 15
NORTHERN RIGHT WHALE DOLPHIN- 43
PACIFIC WHITE-SIDED DOLPHIN- 100
DALL'S PORPOISE- 12
Images from this trip will follow in a future post. We covered both Sonoma and Marin Counties.
Our next four trips, all depart from Noyo Harbor, Fort Bragg. This afternoon we received a report from the fishermen off Shelter Cove. They caught 50 albacore (tuna) only 16 miles offshore. A "hard" edge, sea surface temperature has made for excellent fishing. This is EXACTLY what is needed for our upcoming trips! So, the conditions are looking very, very promising. More records of Hawaiian Petrels have been found out of Fort Bragg than anywhere on along the west coast, with as many as three individuals in one day, and one petrel that was followed for a record 17 minutes. RESERVATIONS are necessary, and can only be made by emailing me tonight, or early tomorrow morning. I will be driving from Bodega Bay to Fort Bragg, tomorrow. Current openings are:
FRI, AUG 19: 2 SPACES
SAT, AUG 20: 1 SPACE
SUN, AUG 21: 2 SPACES
MON, AUG 22: 8 SPACES
Hope you can jump on board!
Shearwaters forever,
Debi Shearwater
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