copyright 2003 Shearwater Journeys

This trip began with our usual cruise past the Coast Guard Jetty. Among the California Sea Lions, we picked out Black and Ruddy Turnstones, and on the far side of the jetty, a single Wandering Tattler. The kelp beds were full of Eared Grebes and Surf Scoters, as well as a handful of Western Grebes. The Peregrine Falcon was eating some breakfast on the radio tower as we cruised down cannery row. A few Pigeon Guillemots were swimming in the kelp beds, and 3 Black Oystercatchers were perched on some rocks along the row. A single Red Phalarope was feeding in the kelp, and a couple of Red-necked Grebes were just outside the kelp. All in all, a good beginning. Our next stop was Otter Point, an area where Yellow-billed Loon has occasionally been seen. As we approached, veteran Shearwater Journeys leader (and fabulous wildlife photographer) Mike Danzenbaker spotted the loon, and we enjoyed prolonged, close-range looks at a basic plumaged adult Yellow-billed Loon. Gray Whales were also spotted in this area.

The winds were calm, and there was a moderate swell, so we decided to get offshore before the inevitable afternoon winds worsened the ride. The south part of the bay was quiet, a few Rhinoceros and Cassin's Auklets, and our first Pink-footed and Sooty Shearwaters, but little else. About 10 miles out we encountered a Black-footed Albatross, but it didn't approach closely. A few minutes later, a second bird buzzed the boat giving us excellent looks at this special bird. Kittiwakes were joining the usual Gulls in the stern, and we got great looks at both adults and 1st year birds.

Our quiet stretch continued, so we decided to head for the North part of the bay. The winds were beginning to pick-up a bit, and the North side of Monterey Bay enjoys some shelter from the prevailing NW winds, thanks to the Santa Cruz Mountains. As we got closer to the North-end, it was clear where all the birds were. A huge feeding flock of Gulls, Shearwaters, and Alcids were off along the wind line. We put the pedal to the metal and raced over to the flocks. A Short- tailed Shearwater glided into the boat, and soon we had three shearwater species to look at (Sooty, Pink-footed, and Short-tailed). After a Shearwater ID class in the stern, we set about to finding another goodie. I looked up and saw a Flesh-footed Shearwater heading towards us. The bird arced away, so we headed after it, and were able to get reasonable looks as it glided around in wide circles ahead of us. A couple of Thayer's Gulls joined the masses of Western and Glaucous-winged Gulls in the stern. Heerman's, Mew, California and Herring made up the balance of the flock.

By now the wind was really howling, and the swell was being pushed up by the wind, so we started back. By positioning ourselves in the north part of the bay, we had a relatively comfortable ride back in. We searched through some alcids around Pt. Pinos but didn't turn up any additional goodies. A very productive and enjoyable day at sea.

For Shearwater Journeys
Todd McGrath
skua@msn.com
Marina Del Rey, CA

Next trips:

Jan 21st Bodega Bay (plenty of room show-up at the dock 7:00AM if interested)
Feb 17th , March 24th Monterey Bay

Summer and Fall Schedule will be announced soon! Contact Debi Shearwater at 831-637-8528 or click here to send email for more information about upcoming trips.

TRIP LIST

Western Grebe 6
Eared Grebe 22
Pied-billed Grebe 1
Red-necked Grebe 2
Common Loon 4
Pacific Loon 40
Red Throated Loon 1
Yellow-Billed Loon 1
Black-footed Albatross 1
Sooty Shearwater 75
Short-tailed Shearwater 30
Sooty/Short-tailed 20
Pink-footed Shearwater 12
Flesh-footed Shearwater 1
Northern Fulmar 28
Thayer's Gull 4
Herring Gull 7
Glaucous-winged Gull 100+
Western Gull many hundreds
California Gull 30
Heerman's Gull 22
Mew Gull 9
Black-legged Kittiwake 48
Common Murre 5000+
Pigeon Guillemot 5
Rhinoceros Auklet 1000+
Cassin's Auklet 35
Ancient Murrelet 11 (all flyaways, poor looks)
Red Phalarope 4
Back Turnstone 8
Ruddy Turnstone 1
Wandering Tattler 1
Black Oystercatcher 3
Peregrine Falcon 1
Great Egret 3
Surf Scoter 51
Red-breasted Merganser 1
Brandt's Cormorant +++
Pelagic Cormorant +++

Gray Whale 14


Harbor Seals, California Sea Lions, and Sea Otters were also seen.

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