copyright 2006 Shearwater Journeys

Hello, Seabirders!

For the third day in a row, the seas were glassy-calm on Monterey Bay. Shearwater Journeys had a very delightful day at sea, even though very light sprinkles of rain (!) fell in the late afternoon. Once again, the ocean was so calm that it almost appeared to be oiled. The late afternoon sun was just breathtaking.

Highlights of this trip included: 5 species of shearwaters: 1 MANX SHEARWATER spotted by Steve Howell on our return to the harbor, as it was sitting on the water; 4 FLESH-FOOTED SHEARWATERS, some sitting on the water; 310 PINK-FOOTED SHEARWATERS; 60 BULLER'S SHEARWATERS; and 750 SOOTY SHEARWATERS. Three BLACK-FOOTED ALBATROSSES were nice, as most have departed. We did find the storm-petrel flocks. They included 1 WILSON'S, 6000+ ASHYS, and 175+ BLACKS. Also, one leucistic Ashy with a white collar was spotted. SOUTH POLAR SKUAS (7) put on a nice show, and flocks of POMARINE JAEGERS were everywhere. Three CASSIN'S AUKLETS, scarce this fall, gave us great views. The whale show continued, along with a spectacular dolphin show, too. The PEREGRINE FALCONS returned, with leader Clay Kempf spotting the first one while we were still on the dock. It perched on top of Wharf No. 2. The second Peregrine was on the radio tower along Cannery Row, its usual spot. The female HARLEQUIN DUCK, continues in the harbor.

The leaders for this trip were: Clay Kempf, Steve Howell, Kirsten Lindquist, Jennifer Green, Matt Brady, Ryan Terrill, and Debra Shearwater. Many thanks to all who participated. Two fellows from New York went on every Shearwater Journeys' trip during the month of September. This was their final trip. They amassed a huge variety of seabirds and marine mammals, as well as many land birds.

The species list follows:
OCTOBER 1, 2006 MONTEREY (sea surface temperature 60.1F)

COMMON LOON-1
EARED GREBE-1
BLACK-FOOTED ALBATROSS-3
PINK-FOOTED SHEARWATER-310
FLESH-FOOTED SHEARWATER-4
BULLER'S SHEARWATER-60
SOOTY SHEARWATER-750
MANX SHEARWATER-1
WILSON'S STORM-PETREL-1
ASHY STORM-PETREL-6000+
BLACK STORM-PETREL-175
BROWN PELICAN-+
BRANDT'S CORMORANT-700
PELAGIC CORMORANT-1
HARLEQUIN DUCK-1 female in the harbor
NORTHERN PINTAIL-1 offshore
BLACK TURNSTONE-6
DUNLIN-4 offshore
RED-NECKED PHALAROPE-55
SOUTH POLAR SKUA-7
POMARINE JAEGER-45+
POMARINE/PARASITIC-7
PARASITIC JAEGER-3
HEERMANN'S GULL-200
CALIFORNIA GULL-1500+
WESTERN GULL-400
SABINE'S GULL-16
FORSTER'S TERN-1
ELEGANT TERN-30
COMMON MURRE-130
PIGEON GUILLEMOT-3
CASSIN'S AUKLET-3
RHINOCEROS AUKLET-50
SEA OTTER-+
CALIFORNIA SEA LION-500+
HUMPBACK WHALE-15
NORTHERN RIGHT WHALE DOLPHIN-750
RISSO'S DOLPHIN-11
PACIFIC WHITE-SIDED DOLPHIN-250
DALL'S PORPOISE-19
OCEAN SUNFISH-4
PEREGRINE FALCON-2


Shearwaters forever, Debra Love Shearwater
Shearwater Journeys
PO Box 190
Hollister, CA 95024 USA
831/637-8527