Cordell Bank 24 September 2006

The weather gave us an easy swell with considerable patchy fog. There were numerous Rhinoceros Auklets seen throughout the duration of the trip, with many groups of tens. The first of several Northern Fulmars was seen at 9:45am. One-half hour later a Blue-winged Teal swung over the boat and away.

Between Bodega Canyon and Cordell Bank an Ashy Storm-Petrel was spotted. On the outside of Cordell Bank a small passerine flew around the boat for one pass and was thought to be a sparrow, perhaps Savannah. Over the Bank, a Tufted Puffin allowed close approach and affirmed the notion that they are found around 50 fathom depth.

Our skipper, Rick Powers, maneuvered several times to collect wayward balloons floating on the surface. These are often mistaken as food by turtles and can result in their death. Two separate South Polar Skuas made fast passes along our route. Humpbacks were seen several times with the last "friendly" pair joining our vessel while engines were turned off.

A Xantus's Murrelet brought much joy to those who considered it a "target" bird for their trip. One of the final bird highlights was a Wilson's Storm-Petrel seen about half-way back from the Bank to the Head.

Les Lieurance