copyright 2003 Shearwater Journeys

The October 6th Albacore trip departed at 5:30AM, under fine conditions, and calm seas. The trip headed southwest in the darkness, and was well offshore when the sky lightened. As we proceeded offshore we began to encounter birds typical of Monterey Bay in fall. Sooty and Pink-footed Shearwaters were seen gliding by, and we began to see small numbers of Pomarine Jaegers. A few Ashy and Black Storm- petrels were spotted flying low over the water, and a few Red-necked Phalaropes flushed from in front of the boat. About 30 miles offshore we began to see numbers of Sabine's Gulls, and two Xantus' Murrelets were observed sitting on the water, much to the delight of the birders on board. Not long after this, the first South Polar Skua was seen in the stern. Still further offshore, we encountered good numbers of jaegers, mostly Pomarine, but a mixed group of Arctic Terns and Sabine's Gulls was being pursued by a small group of jaegers of all three species. After good looks at several Long-tailed and Parasitic Jaegers, we headed further offshore.

Strangely, we encountered a small black & white shearwater well offshore. Both Manx and Black-vented are generally found inshore, but this bird disappeared before we could ID it to species. Albacore trips usually encounter birds in loose bands, with periods of scarcity in between. After 41 miles, we found ourselves in one of those "dead Zones" and so decided to return closer to shore. As we proceeded back near the areas that had birds, things continued to be rather quiet, so several of the leaders and the captain conducted a strategy session on the bridge to lay a new course.

A successful pelagic trip is based partly on luck, being in the right place at the right time. But often, Shearwater Journeys trips are in the right place due to the high level of experience of Debi Shearwater and the leaders. Our meeting concluded that the best chance for birds was to head north, towards an area of cooler water. Seabirds, just like landbirds are often most common in areas, where two habitats meet. On land, it might be the edge of a forest, at sea, it is often an area with a sharp temperature change. Even though an Albacore Grounds trip would not normally head north to this area, a good pelagic trip requires a fair bit of flexibility. Of course luck still helps, and we usually have a pretty good supply. Today we had all we needed.

Once we reached the temperature change, the bird life quickly picked- up, and we spotted 3 more Xantus' Murrelets. Shearwater numbers were picking-up, particularly Pink-footed, and then the call rang out. "Streaked Shearwater". I was in the front of the boat, looking for murrelets, when veteran leader Jim Danzenbaker spotted the bird in the stern. By the time I got to the stern, the bird was gone, and we began a frantic search to relocate it. A cod-liver slick dumped by an alert Debi Shearwater seemed to settle a large group of Pink- footed Shearwaters down on the water, and we soon relocated the Streaked sitting in the group. The group took flight almost immediately, and for the next several minutes, the bird circled in the stern, amongst the Pink-foots. The bird was a lifer for everyone on the boat but Debi. For several of the leaders, including me, Streaked Shearwater was one of the most wanted birds.

Just because we had seen one of the most sought after seabirds in CA, doesn't mean the leaders stopped working. On the way in we spotted a Buller's Shearwater. Strangely the only one we saw that day. We got back to the dock a little late, but no one cared. It was another wonderful day on the ocean, and we still had 2 more trips to do. Below is the complete species list as well as information of upcoming trips.

Upcoming trips:
Shearwater Triangle – Moss Landing Oct 13, 20, 27
Santa Cruz – Marbled Murrelet and Storm-Petrels Oct 14
Cordell Bank – Bodega Bay Oct 15

Call Debi Shearwater at 831-637-8527 or click here to send email.
Visit the Shearwater Journeys website at www.shearwaterjourneys.com.

Species list:
Sooty Shearwater 42
Pink-footed Shearwater 112
STREAKED SHEARWATER 1
Ashy Storm-petrel 19
Black-storm-petrel 11
Pomarine Jaeger 45
Parasitic Jaeger 5
Long-tailed Jaeger 10
South Polar Skua 4
Herring Gull 1
Western Gull +++
California Gull +++
Heerman's Gull +++
Sabine's Gull 172
Arctic Tern 7
Elegant Tern 10
Rhinoceros Auklet 11
Cassin's Auklet 19
Xantus' Murrelet (scrippsi) 5
Red-necked Phalarope 5
Red Phalarope 150
Black-throated Gray Warbler 1


Whales and Other Marine Life
Humpback Whale 2
Elephant Seal 2
Harbor Seal ++
California Sea lion ++
Sea otter ++
Blue Shark 2
Mola Mola 107


For Shearwater Journeys
Todd McGrath
Marina Del Rey, CA
To send email to Todd, click on his address: skua@msn.com

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