Shearwater's Journeys

Central CA Seabirding

2008-07-17T17:43:00.000-07:00

Hello, Seabirders, CA County Birders, Whale Watchers, and Ocean Lovers,

Shearwater Journey's pelagic season is about to jump into full swing with our late summer and early fall boat trips from Monterey, Santa Cruz, Sausalito, Bodega Bay, and Fort Bragg. There is something for everyone on these trips, with lots of great birding on land in between boat trip days. Our trips from Monterey's Fishermans' Wharf have been running since 1976! This year, we return with trips from Santa Cruz on the north side of Monterey Bay. In past years, these trips were extremely productive. Santa Cruz is a bit easier to reach for folks coming from Silicon Valley, San Francisco and the Bay Area.

MONTEREY PELAGIC TRIPS with spaces available:

JULY 25

AUGUST 15, 22, 29

SEPTEMBER 7 (limited number of spaces), 12, 14, 15, 22, 25, 27, 28

ALBACORE TRIPS FROM MONTEREY: (5:30 am - 5:30 pm)

SEPTEMBER 13

OCTOBER 5

FROM SANTA CRUZ (city on the north side of Monterey Bay):

SEPTEMBER 26

OCTOBER 12

BODEGA BAY TO THE BODEGA CANYON & CORDELL BANK:

AUGUST 1, 12

SEPTEMBER 19

OCTOBER 9, 17

FORT BRAGG:

AUGUST 8, 10

SAUSALITO TO THE FARALLON ISLANDS:

AUGUST 10 SOLD OUT (sorry)

Note that some really nice land/sea birding combinations are possible — August 8 Fort Bragg pelagic, August 9 birding on land in the area, August 10 Fort Bragg pelagic, August 11 birding Highway 1 south to Bodega Bay, August 12 Bodega Bay pelagic trip. This land/sea combination is excellent for both the out of state birders, who can benefit from the locals, but also for those CA county birders who are looking to add new species to their county lists. With many birders out in the field, something unusual is bound to be discovered! One year, in Fort Bragg, it was a Yellow Wagtail, another it was Bar-tailed Godwit! Excellent birding in both the Fort Bragg area and Bodega Bay make this a very attractive outing. Last year, we found whales on every single Shearwater Journeys' trip! I expect the same this year, however, I think we have an excellent chance for Blue Whales this year. Krill is abundant. Northern alcids — Horned Puffins and Ancient Murrelets have been observed recently, as well as the southern nesting Xantus's Murrelets. Its about time that we nailed down a Least Auklet! The offshore report from researchers is that 100+ Fork-tailed Storm-Petrels and Xantus's Murrelets were out at the Cordell Bank recently!

For reservations, please contact Debra Shearwater at the information below. Please note that it will only be possible to contact Debra by email during the August 7 through August 11 period. Hope to see you out there!!

Shearwaters forever,

Debra

Debra Shearwater

Shearwater Journeys, Inc.

PO Box 190

Hollister, CA 95024

831.637.8527

debi@shearwaterjourneys.com

www.shearwaterjourneys.com

*Antarctica, South Georgia, & The Falkland Islands, January 5-24, 2010*

Shearwater Journeys' Exclusive Charter

CA CONDORS: BUNDLE OF JOY!

2008-07-17T17:07:00.001-07:00

Hello, Folks,

I wanted to pass on the latest update on the status of the CALIFORNIA CONDORS! Keeping my fingers crossed for that third chick.

Funds are needed to rebuild pens that were destroyed in the fires. If you have any spare change whatsoever, please donate.

Here's the report:

WILD CONDOR CHICKS - UPDATE...

Last week, we reported to you that both of our field pens for the condors at the Condor Sanctuary were destroyed by the fire but we were unsure about the chicks in wild nests.

Well...two of the three condor chicks in Big Sur definitely survived! The third nest is not yet accessible and we won't know for some time if this chick survived. I wanted to give you the great news right away. Joe Burnett, Senior Wildlife Biologist and his team visited one of these nests yesterday and took this photo of the precious little "bundle of joy".

http://ent.groundspring.org/EmailNow/pub.php?module=URLTracker&cmd=track&j=222195560&u=2316669

Here is what he had to say upon his return,

"Nest entry went great this morning, the Partington chick was fat and happy

in the cave. Mom and Dad have been keeping this chick full of food despite

the disruption of the fire, pretty resilient birds. Dad came back while

we were in the nest and we had to cut the entry short, he was being his

usual aggressive self."

CALIFORNIA CONDOR EXHIBIT IN SACRAMENTO

Our condor exhibit - Bringing the Condors Home - visits the California Museum for History, Women & the Arts in Sacramento from July 15 to September 14, 2008.

The California Museum for History, Women & the Arts is open Tuesday through Saturday 10am - 5pm, and Sunday 12pm - 5pm. Please note last admittance is at 4:30pm. Admission to the museum is $7.50 for adults, $6.00 for seniors (60 and over), $5.00 for youth (age 6-13) and free for age 5 and under.

The museum is located at 1020 O Street, Sacramento, in the California State Archives building. For directions, please visit their website at http://ent.groundspring.org/EmailNow/pub.php?module=URLTracker&cmd=track&j=222195560&u=2316670.

On August 2, 2008 at 1pm, Award-winning science writer John Moir, author of Return of the Condor: The Race To Save Our Largest Bird From Extinction will tell the riveting story of the condor's dramatic rescue from the brink of extinction with rare photographs and accounts of new developments at the museum. Visitors will learn how a remarkable team of scientists carried out a bold plan to save the species using non-traditional methods. Moir will also speak about the link between the condor's plight and the pressing need to conserve biodiversity across the planet. Moir will sign his book, which is available in the Museum Store.

For more information about Ventana Wildlife Society please go to http://ent.groundspring.org/EmailNow/pub.php?module=URLTracker&cmd=track&j=222195560&u=2316671

Condors forever,

Debra

Debra Shearwater

Shearwater Journeys, Inc.

PO Box 190

Hollister, CA 95024

831.637.8527

debi@shearwaterjourneys.com

www.shearwaterjourneys.com

*Antarctica, South Georgia, & The Falkland Islands, January 5-24, 2010*

Shearwater Journeys' Exclusive Charter

Condors & The Big Sur Fire

2008-07-08T19:05:00.001-07:00

Hello, Birders,

Just now, I received this news and update from Sal Lucidos regarding the California Condors and the raging fires at Big Sur:

I just got off the telephone with Joe Burnett (Ventana Wildlife Society Condor Coordinator). He drove up to the Sanctuary with the Monterey County Herald to FINALLY get a visual of the status of all improvements on the property. All the Condor facilities are toast, as is their outhouse and one of their travel trailers. What is remarkable considering the extent of this wildfire in Big Sur is that the Condor Crew's Bunkhouse survived. It actually had burn marks on their decking and one of their screened windows burned............. fortunately... that window did NOT shatter from the heat of the flames and their Cabin is safe..................... as is the Sal & Ada homestead cabin rebuild. Ada & I can't express in words how happy and relieved we are with all this and that the Condor crew were safely rescued by the Coast Guard helicopter & condors are doing so well. The indications are very promising with all three condor babies................. for the GPS data shows that the parents continue to fly back to their nestsites.

So keep praying and if able.............. considering assisting the Ventana Wildlife Society with the Condor Emergency Fund.............. they have to rebuild the two Condor Facilities !

Their website is www.VentanaWS.org

In case you have not been following this story: All of the released condors were captured during a daring helicopter and ATV rescue and transported in their crates to Pinnacles National Monument. However, just prior to the breakout of the fire, a third condor nest was discovered in a very tall, old redwood tree. These six breeding adults were not captured, as they each had a youngster in the nest. The other two nests are near the coast. The redwood nest is in a very remote area that did burn, including the nest tree, but the tree stood. You know, these old redwoods are pretty tough. Apparently, Sal thinks that all of the young may still be surviving. IF this turns out to be the case, it would be something of a miracle to say the least.

Condors forever,

Debra

Debra Shearwater

Shearwater Journeys, Inc.

PO Box 190

Hollister, CA 95024

831.637.8527

debi@shearwaterjourneys.com

www.shearwaterjourneys.com

*Antarctica, South Georgia, & The Falkland Islands, January 5-24, 2010*

Shearwater Journeys' Exclusive Charter

Bubbling Bushtits

2008-06-29T21:40:00.001-07:00

A family of fledged Bushtits has been frequenting my yard for the
past few weeks. Today, I snapped a picture of one feeding on tiny
nits on the butterfly bush! I admit it — I'm a sucker for small, cute
animals!
Debra

SAN BENITO COUNTY BIRDING: JUNE 27/28

2008-06-28T19:27:00.000-07:00

Hello, Birders,

After Shearwater Journeys' Monterey Bay pelagic trip yesterday, we headed to Phil's Fish Market in Moss Landing for some great fish dinners. Returning to Hollister with my friends, Claudio Vidal and Rodrigo Bustamante from Chile, we made a couple of brief birding stops in San Benito County at the end of the day. On Quien Sabe Road, we saw an adult GOLDEN EAGLE hunting ground squirrels on a grassy hill, several LOGGERHEAD SHRIKES, BLACK PHOEBES, and one CASSIN'S KINGBIRD. On Santa Anita Road, I was shocked to see a BADGER scurrying down the road, and up the hillside! Now, I ask you — How often does one see a HORNED PUFFIN and a BADGER in the same day — a live badger, at that? Not road-killed. My Patagonian friends jumped out of the car for some quick photographs. Continuing down the road, we had some nice views of newly fledged YELLOW-BILLED MAGPIES and numerous ACORN WOODPECKERS on the fence post, and in the road, and several WESTERN KINGBIRD, BUSHTIT, ROCK WRENS, CALIFORNIA TOWHEE, and WESTERN BLUEBIRD families. A full grown, but still dependent GREAT-HORNED OWL chick sat in an oak tree with its parent nearby. We also saw a WHITE-TAILED KITE.

After a coffee stop at Starbuck's this morning, we headed to Paicines Reservoir where two adult BALD EAGLES, a male & female, were perched in the small oak tree on the levee. The water level is dropping rapidly. We did not see anything else of note. On Quien Sabe Road, two GOLDEN EAGLES (1 adult, 1 sub-adult), were hunting ground squirrels. On Lone Tree Road, we found male and female BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAKS, male LAZULI BUNTING, CALIFORNIA QUAIL with young, WILD TURKEY with young, TURKEY VULTURES, AMERICAN KESTREL, MOURNING DOVES, ANNA'S HUMMINGBIRDS, ACORN WOODPECKER, WESTERN KINGBIRDS, WESTERN SCRUB JAYS, YELLOW-BILLED MAGPIES, AMERICAN CROW, RAVEN, heard HUTTON'S VIREO and STELLER'S JAYS, TREE & VIOLET-GREEN SWALLOWS, CHESTNUT-BACKED CHICKADEES, OAK TITMOUSE, HOUSE FINCH, LESSER GOLDFINCH, and BREWER'S BLACKBIRDS. Real highlights were families of newly fledged GRASSHOPPER SPARROWS (8), LARK SPARROWS (6), and RUFOUS-CROWNED SPARROWS. I also saw DARK-EYED JUNCOS, and heard SPOTTED TOWHEES. A young COYOTE ran across the road!

All in all, for only a couple of hours' worth of birding, it was very productive!

Sparrows forever,

Debra

Debra Shearwater

Shearwater Journeys, Inc.

PO Box 190

Hollister, CA 95024

831.637.8527

debi@shearwaterjourneys.com

www.shearwaterjourneys.com

*Antarctica, South Georgia, & The Falkland Islands, January 5-24, 2010*

Shearwater Journeys' Exclusive Charter

MONTEREY BAY PELAGIC TRIP: JUNE 27, 2008

2008-06-28T17:58:00.001-07:00

Howdy, Seabirders,

Yesterday, June 27, 2008, Shearwater Journeys had a pretty good pelagic trip from Monterey. We departed from Fisherman's Wharf at 7:30 am, amidst the smokey skies due to the 1,000 wildfires that are currently burning in California. The smoke cast a haze over the skies for miles and miles. Surprisingly, the (BBB) leaders found both HARLEQUIN and LONG-TAILED DUCKS sitting on the same rock in the harbor! Along Wharf No. 2, we had great views of PIGEON GUILLEMOTS. (They nest under the wharf and along Cannery Row). A commercial fishing vessel that is not in use was covered with nesting BRANDT'S CORMORANTS, as was the Coast Guard jetty. Many young cormorants were being fed by their attentive parents. Along Cannery Row, we saw a mother/calf pair SHORT-BEAKED COMMON DOLPHINS. This is pretty unusual, both for the location and the fact that only two of these normally gregarious dolphins were seen. The calf repeatedly jumped! As we headed out into the bay, the winds picked up. However, we were able to find most of the wildlife concentrated in one area where huge balls of bait (anchovies and, possibly sardines) showed on the fish finder. All of the seabirds and marine mammals were active in this single spot — BLACK-FOOTED ALBATROSSES, SOOTY and PINK-FOOTED SHEARWATERS, a few ELEGANT and CASPIAN TERNS, COMMON MURRES, RHINOCEROS AUKLETS, and a fair number of CASSIN'S AUKLETS — along with breaching and tail slapping HUMPBACK WHALES, RISSO'S and NORTHERN RIGHT WHALE DOLPHINS. On our return to the dock, we headed off the Monterey Beach Hotel, where a number of HARBOR PORPOISES were found. Pulling a rabbit out of the hat at the last minute on the trip, David Pearson of Arizona, spotted a HORNED PUFFIN!! What a great ending to a darn good June pelagic trip.

Shearwater Journeys thanks all of the participants who came from far and wide for this journey, including Debra's Patagonian friends, Claudio Vidal and Rodrigo Bustamante from Chile. (Their birding company is Fantastico Sur). The leaders for this trip were: Jennifer Green, Matt Brady, Oscar Johnson, Ryan Terrill, John Hiles, Don Doolittle, and Debra Shearwater.

Our next pelagic trips from Monterey are: JULY 25; AUGUST 15, 22, 29; SEPTEMBER 7, 12, 13, 14, 15, 22, 25, 27, 28; OCTOBER 3, 4, 5, 11, 18; NOVEMBER 29. Trips departing from Santa Cruz Yacht Harbor on the north side of Monterey Bay are scheduled for: SEPTEMBER 26 & OCTOBER 12. Trips from Bodega Bay are scheduled for: AUGUST 1 & 12; SEPTEMBER 19; OCTOBER 9 & 17. And, trips from Fort Bragg are scheduled for: AUGUST 8 & 10. All of these trips have spaces available. Our August 10th trip from Sausalito to the Farallon Islands is SOLD OUT. (waiting list available).

The complete species list for JUNE 27, 2008 MONTEREY BAY PELAGIC TRIP FOLLOWS:

PACIFIC LOON- 1

COMMON LOON- 5

EARED GREBE- 1, in the harbor

BLACK-FOOTED ALBATROSS- 35

NORTHERN FULMAR- 4

PINK-FOOTED SHEARWATER- 18

SOOTY SHEARWATER- 6000

BROWN PELICAN- 85

BRANDT'S CORMORANT- 2600

DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT- 1

PELAGIC CORMORANT- 1

HARLEQUIN DUCK- 1, in the harbor

SURF SCOTER- 3

LONG-TAILED DUCK- 1

BLACK OYSTERCATCHER- 1

HEERMANN'S GULL- 200

CALIFORNIA GULL- 40

WESTERN GULL- 400

ELEGANT TERN- 7

CASPIAN TERN- 5

COMMON MURRE- 75

PIGEON GUILLEMOT- 15

CASSIN'S AUKLET- 30

RHINOCEROS AUKLET- 4

HORNED PUFFIN- 1

GREAT BLUE HERON- 1

BARN SWALLOW- 2, out at sea

SEA OTTER- 25

CALIFORNIA SEA LION- 25

HARBOR SEAL -18

HUMPBACK WHALE- 8

SHORT-BEAKED COMMON DOLPHIN- 2

NORTHERN RIGHT WHALE DOLPHIN- 12

RISSO'S DOLPHIN- 14

HARBOR PORPOISE- 6

Shearwaters forever,

Debra

Debra Shearwater

Shearwater Journeys, Inc.

PO Box 190

Hollister, CA 95024

831.637.8527

debi@shearwaterjourneys.com

www.shearwaterjourneys.com

*Antarctica, South Georgia, & The Falkland Islands, January 5-24, 2010*

Shearwater Journeys' Exclusive Charter

PENGUINS OF THE WORLD

2008-06-26T11:58:00.001-07:00

Greetings, Birders,

I would like to invite you to join me this evening at the Monterey
chapter meeting of the American Cetacean Society at Hopkins Marine
Station in Pacific Grove, CA. At 7:30 pm, I will present a program,
"Penguins of the World" which will include images of all of the
world's nineteen species of penguins. Endearing and adorable marine
birds, penguins are tough creatures, surviving in some of the most
extreme conditions anywhere in the world! To date, I've seen eighteen
species of the world's penguins, most recently adding Northern
Rockhopper Penguin on a Zodiac cruise near Gough Island while I was
on the Atlantic Odyssey voyage this past spring. Next year, on the
Cape (Ushuaia) to Cape (CapeTown) voyage, I hope to tick my last
species, the South African or Cape Penguin! Interested in having this
program presented to your group? Please contact me. —Debra

JUNE 27 MONTEREY PELAGIC TRIP

2008-06-19T10:34:00.001-07:00

Howdy, Seabirders,

Spaces are still available on Shearwater Journey's Friday, June 27th trip departing from Fishermans' Wharf in Monterey at 7 am, and returning about 3 pm. Several weeks ago, krill was being reported by offshore research vessels. (In addition to a few Murphy's Petrels off Point Arena). We usually don't have too many summer trips, but occasionally, we have turned up some very unusual seabirds — North America's first Bulwer's Petrel (Monterey) and Crested Auklet (Bodega Bay) stand out. Both seabirds were discovered on Shearwater Journeys' trips. Rare seabirds, or not, we should have a great showing of Black-footed Albatrosses, while the nesting Brandt's Cormorants on the Coast Guard Jetty should be very busy.

Scheduled leaders include: Jennifer Green, who has been living in a yurt and riding horses across Mongolia, Don Doolittle who will be testing out his new Canon 300 mm lens, and Debra Shearwater. Guest, and friend of Debra & Don, Claudio Vidal will also be on board. Claudio and Debra met on a voyage to Antarctica, South Georgia, and The Falkland Islands in 2001. Claudio is the author of many books, best known among them being: Birds of Patagonia, Tierra del Fuego & Antarctic Peninsula and Birds of the Beagle Channel and Cape Horn. (both with Enrique Couve).

Please contact Debra Shearwater for a reservation. Join us!

Shearwaters forever,

Debra

Debra Shearwater

Shearwater Journeys, Inc.

PO Box 190

Hollister, CA 95024

831.637.8527

debi@shearwaterjourneys.com

www.shearwaterjourneys.com

*Antarctica, South Georgia, & The Falkland Islands, January 5-24, 2010*

Shearwater Journeys' Exclusive Charter

Offshore Report: Murphy's Petrels

2008-06-03T20:17:00.001-07:00

Howdy, Seabirders,

My friend, Sophie Webb, who is offshore on a research cruise just reported today that they saw 3 MURPHY'S PETRELS 20 to 40 miles off Point Arena! The adult White-capped Albatross was found in this same area, only closer to shore—about 8 miles off Point Arena. Upwelling seems to be good in this area, at least in some years. Sophie also reported many FORK-TAILED STORM-PETRELS offshore Bodega Bay within the past week, along with one HORNED PUFFIN. Patches of krill were also found. Let's hope this portends for a productive fall season! Debi

Debra Shearwater

Shearwater Journeys, Inc.

PO Box 190

Hollister, CA 95024

831.637.8527

debi@shearwaterjourneys.com

www.shearwaterjourneys.com

*Antarctica, South Georgia, & The Falkland Islands, January 5-24, 2010*

Shearwater Journeys' Exclusive Charter

SAN BENITO COUNTY TODAY

2008-06-01T21:10:00.001-07:00

Hello, Birders,

Grabbed my latte, and headed out for some local birding this morning. Seems like most of my birding is outside of the country these days. Didn't find anything terribly unusual, but had a lot of fun watching all of the newly fledged residents. Areas I birded: PAICINES RESERVOIR (PR), BROWN'S VALLEY ROAD (BV), SANTA ANITA ROAD (SA), SANTA ANA VALLEY ROAD (SAV), LONE TREE ROAD(LT). I spent most of my time on Lone Tree Road, and tallied a nice bird species list and one live RATTLESNAKE, coyote, and black-tailed deer.

Highlights of the day included:

BALD EAGLE- adult male & adult female at PR; and one adult circling high on SAV. The nesting pair did not nest this year, at least not in the nest that they have used since our discovery in 2004.

WESTERN GREBE-5 at PR, unusual in summer (?).

ROCK WREN-6 with fledged young on BV. First time that I have seen them on this little-traveled, grassland road.

SAY'S PHOEBE-4 with fledged young on BV.

WESTERN BLUEBIRD-32, many fledged young on SA.

GRASSHOPPER SPARROW-2 singing on SA. First time on this road for me. 6 on LT, at the usual spot where they have nested for the past 12 years.

OAK TITMOUSE-23 on SA, many fledged and dependent young.

YELLOW-BILLED MAGPIE-8 on LT, many fledged young.

GOLDEN EAGLE-1 adult on LT.

CHESNUT-BACKED CHICKADEE-14 on LT, a few fledged young. I don't know when they began nesting in this location, but they seem to be extending their range in the county.

HUTTON'S VIREO-1 on LT.

WARBLING VIREO-3 on LT.

ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHER-2 on LT.

LAZULI BUNTING-2 on LT.

RUFOUS-CROWNED SPARROW-1 on LT.

CALIFORNIA THRASHER-3 on LT.

EURASIAN COLLARED DOVE-2 on LT.

BLACK PHOEBE-3 on LT with one dependent young.

BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAK-1.

Lots of the usual suspects around, including many BULLOCK'S ORIOLES, WESTERN KINGBIRDS, etc. It was disappointing to see that someone dozed the coyote bushes at the pullout at Paicines Reservoir. It was only a few bushes, but this was a great migrant "trap" in fall migration, and exactly where I saw the Palm Warbler last August. It looks very, very dry everywhere!

Here comes summer,

Debra

Debra Shearwater

Shearwater Journeys, Inc.

PO Box 190

Hollister, CA 95024

831.637.8527

debi@shearwaterjourneys.com

www.shearwaterjourneys.com

*Antarctica, South Georgia, & The Falkland Islands, January 5-24, 2010*

Shearwater Journeys' Exclusive Charter

South Georgia

2008-03-22T20:21:00.001-07:00

We had three great days on South Georgia! We made 5
out of 6 landings, including a beautiful, sunny day
with thousands of King Penguins at Salisbury Plain and
a rainy day with the Macaroni Penguins at Cooper Bay.

Did see Sooty Albatross, Atlantic Petrel, Gray Petrel,
and Spectacled Petrel today.

Debi

Two Day Crossing the Drake

2008-03-13T18:44:00.000-07:00

March 13, 2008

Greetings from Professor Molchanov in the Weddell Sea, en route to the South Orkney Islands!

By all standards of measure, we had a very easy two day crossing of the Drake Passage! One great adventure on our nearly 3,500 mile voyage. Our first landing was at Brown Bluff, a continental landing for those wanting to “tick” their 7th, and whitest continent in the world. Departing Zodiacs soon encountered a severe turn in the weather, with strong westerly winds forcing us to abort this landing. Some lucky folks did get their feet on the continent, though. Icebergs and bergy bits were drifting all around, but everyone returned very safely to the ship, in the hands of our very capable Expedition Staff and Russian crew. The morning and the evening ended with the most lovely of albatrosses, the dreamy Light-mantled Sooty.

Next we pushed into the Weddell Sea in search of Emperor Penguins without luck. Several delicate Snow Petrels drifted along spectacular tabular ice. Some Chinstrap Penguins were on ice floes. Due to the strong winds, the ice blocked our landing on Snow Hill Island. Nevertheless, all of the passengers gathered on the bridge with our Russian sailors to enjoy the ice, before we turned around.

This morning, we made a fantastic landing on Paulet Island, surely one of the favorites of Antarcitca. The beach was covered in Antarctic Fur Seals, two Chinstrap Penguins, and small parties of Adelie Penguins, with Brown Skuas patroling overhead, and occassional Southern Giant Petrels. It was a lovely morning, even though it was -5C we all stayed for the entire three hours. Reluctantly, we returned to our ship — surounded now by icebergs of all sizes and shape, penguins and fur seals on the beach, and the snow dusted scree slopes of Paulet — we embraced the full Antarctic scene in all its glory!

Hope all is well. We check in again in a few days.

All the best,
Debra

ATLANTIC ODYSSEY

2008-03-09T16:55:00.000-07:00

March 9, 2008

ATLANTIC ODYSSEY MARCH 4 – APRIL 23, 2008
TRIP REPORT
By
Debra Love Shearwater

Images are clickable to a larger size.

March 4 - 5, Tue/Wed: My travel companion, Don Doolittle, and I departed San Francisco International Airport at 11 am, changed planes in Dallas/Fort Worth, and arrived in Buenos Aires, Argentina about 10:30 am the next day after an uneventful, if tiring flight. We hired an official taxi to the Holiday Inn located in the Puerto Madero barrio of the city. (78 pesos) Headquartering ourselves at this hotel put us within easy walking or a short cab ride to all of the places that we wanted to visit.

Both of us are very familiar with this vibrant and bustling city, as it was my fifth and Don’s fourth visit to Buenos Aires. We headed straight to Costanera Sur Ecological Reserve. It was quite cloudy and humid. We dodged several rain showers, but nevertheless enjoyed observing some familiar birds— Rufous Hornero, strutting in the open, confiding Chalk-browed Mockingbirds, cackling Monk Parakeets, Picui Ground Doves, and Picazuro Pigeons. During the rain showers, we enjoyed watching many birds bathing in puddles on the wide paths, including some six Guira Cuckoos in one tree, Rufous-bellied Thrushes, and two Plumbeous Rails! Heading back to the hotel in the late afternoon, we enjoyed a great lunch at one of BA’s many sidewalk cafes, La Barra at Avenida Cordoba and San Martin. We retired to our room early to relax and catch up on some needed sleep.

March 6, Thu: Rising early, we again headed straight for Costanera Sur. This time, we took the trail that led to the Rio de la Plata River. Many Double-collared Seedeaters, Hooded Siskins, and Black and Rufous Warbling Finches were feeding on weedy stalks along the path. The wide, muddy brown river was devoid of birds, save a few Olivaceous Cormorants and one Kelp Gull, although soaring overhead on a thermal were 40+ Wood Storks and one Roseate Spoonbill. Gray-breasted Martins began alighting on branches as yet another rain shower fell.

In the deep resaca, two Gray-necked Wood Rails meandered in the deep dark shadows of the shoreline, while a Narrow-billed Woodcreeper quietly made its way along the tree trunks. About 2:30 pm, we left the reserve to get some lunch at the same café we had visited yesterday.
With the weather looking very foreboding, we decided to visit some of our favorite places in this very European city of so many flavors—Florida Avenue for some shopping, Café Tortoni (established as a hang out for artists and politicos in 1859), Casa Rosada, and a stroll along the waterfront of the restored Puerto Madero.

Birds we saw during our two days in Buenos Aires: Rufous Hornero, Monk Parakeet, Black-hooded Parakeet, Chalk-browed Mockingbird, Picui Ground Dove, Eared Ground Dove, Picazuro Pigeon, Rufous-bellied Thrush, Creamy-bellied Thrush, Bay-winged Cowbird, Red-crested Cardinal, Green-barred Woodpecker, Greater Yellowfinch, Masked Yellowthroat, House Wren, Double-collared Seedeater, Shining Cowbird, Greater Kiskadee, Southern Lapwing, Black and Rufous Warbling Finch, Brown-chested Martin, Crested Caracara, Guira Cuckoo, Grayish Saltator, Olivaceous Cormorant, Plumbeous Rail, Hooded Siskin, Roadside Hawk, American Kestrel, Red-backed Hawk, Great Egret, Glittering-bellied Emerald, Tropical Kingbird, White-lined Tanager, Wood Stork, Roseate Spoonbill, Kelp Gull, Black-capped Warbling Finch, White-crested Eleania, and Golden-billed Saltator.

Debra

Three journeys in September

2007-10-03T16:50:00.000-07:00

October 3, 2007

HELLO, SEABIRDERS,

This is a compilation report for the September 28 and 29 pelagic trips from Monterey Bay and September 30 from Bodega Bay. By comparing the bird lists for the three trips, it is easy to see how the species have spread themselves out over this very large and diverse geographical area. Krill blooms in Bodega Bay for instance, attract the feeding Cassin’s Auklets and Blue Whales, while no krill exists in Monterey thus far this season. Storm-petrel flocks seemed to have moved out of the Bodega area, while numbers have doubled in the Monterey region. Northern Fulmars have made big movements into the Bodega area. When planning a trip from across the country or the world, it is very wise to schedule trips from several harbors along the north central coast of California. Birders who went on all three of these trips tallied a significant species list.

Complete trip reports & photos are available:
Monterey Bay 28 Sept
Monterey Bay 29 Sept
Cordell Bank 30 Sept

The compiled list for SEP 28/29/30 follows:
RED-THROATED LOON-0/1/1
PACIFIC LOON-1/0/2
COMMON LOON-2/1/3
EARED GREBE-0/1/0
WESTERN GREBE-0/20/2
CLARK’S GREBE-0/2/0
WESTERN/CLARK’S GREBE-0/20/0
LAYSAN ALBATROSS-0/0/3
BLACK-FOOTED ALBATROSS-6/6/60
NORTHERN FULMAR-21/12/275
PINK-FOOTED SHEARWATER-72/153/30
FLESH-FOOTED SHEARWATER-0/0/1
BULLER’S SHEARWATER-23/113/69
SOOTY SHEARWATER-20/35/37
WILSON’S STORM-PETREL-1/0/0
ASHY STORM-PETREL-1000/3/0
BLACK STORM-PETREL-1250/2/0
LEAST STORM-PETREL-6/0/0
BROWN PELICAN-34/85/20
BRANDT’S CORMORANT-150/1060/1000
DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT-7/7/0
PELAGIC CORMORANT-1/7/8
HARLEQUIN DUCK-1/0/0
SURF SCOTER-7/1/27
NORTHERN PINTAIL-130/0/0
NORTHERN SHOVERLER-12/0/0
BLACK OYSTERCATCHER-0/0/1
WANDERING TATTLER-0/0/1
BLACK TURNSTONE-8/0/10
RED-NECKED PHALAROPE-35/20/3
RED PHALAROPE-1/0/20
SOUTH POLAR SKUA-14/10/9
POMARINE JAEGER-25/23/21
PARASITIC JAEGER-2/2/1
HEERMANN’S GULL-87/41/140
BONAPARTE’S GULL-0/0/2
CALIFORNIA GULL-100/350/150
HERRING GULL-1/0/0
WESTERN GULL-200/400/200
SABINE’S GULL-3/8/1
ELEGANT TERN-27/66/0
COMMON TERN-1/0/0
COMMON MURRE-12/100/40
PIGEON GUILLEMOT-2/3/4
MARBLED MURRELET-0/9/0
CASSIN’S AUKLET-0/0/1000+
RHINOCEROS AUKLET-22/20/9
TUFTED PUFFIN-0/0/1

SEA OTTER-12/12/0
CALIFORNIA SEA LION-150/250/100
STELLER’S SEA LION-0/0/1
NORTHERN FUR SEAL-1/0/1
NORTHERN ELEPHANT SEAL-1/0/2
HARBOR SEAL-14/0/+
MINKE WHALE-1/0/0
BLUE WHALE-0/0/9
HUMBPACK WHALE-2/5/12
NORTHERN RIGHT WHALE DOLPHIN-0/150/400
PACIFIC WHITE-SIDED DOLPHIN-14/200/650
DALL’S PORPOISE-0/0/12

OCEAN SUNFISH-4/0/1
BLUE SHARK-3/0/1
SALMON SHARK-0/0/1

Shearwaters forever,
Debra Shearwater

SBT COUNTY: 19 SEPT 2007

2007-09-19T16:45:00.000-07:00

September 19, 2007

Hello, Birders,

A wee touch of winter arrived this morning! Clouds, chilly wind, and light rain were quite a surprise, as low pressure system from Canada edged down the coast. I grabbed a cup of coffee, and headed to Paicines Reservoir about 20 miles south of Hollister. The highlight was a continuing ORCHARD ORIOLE, female-type, which was first found on September 12th by David Wimpfheimer. This is the first SAN BENITO(SBT) COUNTY record of Orchard Oriole. I saw it just as I was about to leave the pullout, up on the hill, in the vineyard feeding on the juicy, ripe grapes, no doubt!

Other birds at Paicines Reservoir today included:BALD EAGLE- 3 (same as previous reports: 1 ad female, 1 first plumage
ad, 1 HY) PIED-BILLED GREBE-2 GREAT BLUE HERON-2 GREAT WHITE EGRET-2 MALLARD-50 NORTHERN SHOVELER-6 NORTHERN PINTAIL-6 AMERICAN COOT-40 GREATER YELLOWLEGS-4 LEAST SANDPIPER-3 KILLDEER-18 AMERICAN KESTREL-1 RAVEN-2 LESSER GOLDFINCH-4 SONG SPARROW-1 ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER-1 BLACK PHOEBE-2 WESTERN BLUEBIRD-18 WESTERN WOODPEEWEE-1 CASSIN’S KINGBIRD-1 BEWICK’S WREN-1 BREWER’S BLACKBIRD-40 RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD-50 HOUSE FINCH-10

I did not see the Common Tern (4th county record) found by ClayKempf, or the Stilt Sandpiper (third county record) found by Scott &Linda Terrill.

Heading south on Highway 25, I turned on LA GLORIA ROAD. High winds seemed to keep the birds down. At the summit, near Mile Marker 7.37,I found 50+ LAWRENCE’S GOLDFINCHES. On September 12th, I found 360Lawrence’s Goldfinches on this road, many of them at the summit. Roiling fog from the Salinas Valley, rain, and the wind probably kept them down. Best way to see the goldfinches is to stay inside of thecar, using it as a blind. I saw a total of 150 Lawrence’s Goldfinches today. Other birds on Gloria Road included:

WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW-1 First of the fall (FOF) in San Benito County for me. FOX SPARROW-1 (FOF) WILSON’S WARBLER-3 LESSER GOLDFINCH-4 CALIFORNIA TOWHEE-2 CALIFORNIA THRASHER-12 CALIFORNIA QUAIL-6 WESTERN BLUEBIRD-46 OAK TITMOUSE-6 WESTERN SCRUB JAY-8 HOUSE FINCH-4 DARK-EYED JUNCO-140 RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET-1 (FOF) YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER-1 (FOF) TOWNSEND’S WARBLER-1 WRENTIT-2 SONG SPARROW-1 WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCH-1 BLACK PHOEBE-2 RAVEN-4 BUSHTIT-18 WILD TURKEY-6 (one with only one leg, and it hops) MOURNING DOVE-62 CHIPPING SPARROW-1 ad, 2 HY YELLOW-BILLED MAGPIE-54, near the summit SAY’S PHOEBE-1 BELL’S SAGE SPARROW-2 SPOTTED TOWHEE-2 BEWICK’S WREN-3 RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD-100 BREWER’S BLACKBIRD-80 RED-TAILED HAWK-1

I made a very brief stop at VISTA PARK HILL in downtown Hollister after picking up my mail. About 30 hummingbirds are still feeding inthe bottlebrush. At least 2 “RUFOUS” were present, along with manyANNA’S HUMMINGBIRDS.

Debra Shearwater
debi@shearwaterjourneys.com

SBT County: Sep 12, 2007

2007-09-13T16:42:00.000-07:00

September 13, 2007

Yesterday morning, Laurilee Thompson (of Space Coast Bird Festival fame) and I did a couple of hours ofbirding in San Benito County. Highlights included: 360 LAWRENCE’S GOLDFINCHES, 3 BALD EAGLES, 1 CASSIN’SKINGBIRD, 1 ROADRUNNER, and 2 CHIPPING SPARROWS.
At Paicines Reservoir, about 30 miles south of Hollister on Highway 25, we found: 3 BALD EAGLES ( 1 adult female, 1 first plumage adult, 1 HY); 1 CASSIN’S KINGBIRD was sitting in the willow tree that is surrounded by water, along with 1 TANAGER sp. Both of these birds flew to the west side of Hwy 25 to feed on the grapes in the vineyard. Also present were: 1 Nuttall’s Woodpecker, 1 Bewick’s Wren, 4 Black Phoebes, Song Sparrows, Mallards, American Coots, etc.- “regulars” at the reservoir.

Best way to bird the reservoir is to pull out on the large, dirt parking lot on Highway 25 just south of the turnoff for Panoche Valley. Stand around and scope the area, including the willow tree. There is no public access to other areas surrounding the reservoir. The bald eagles generally sit on the high power poles on the west side of the reservoir, or sometimes on the top of the small oak tree on the levee on the east side. No shorebirds, other than Killdeer, were present yesterday, even though there are some good mud flats now.

Continuing south on Highway 25 toward Pinnacles National Monument, we pulled over about 5 miles later, to see a ROADRUNNER. A CALIFORNIA THRASHER was singing in the coyote bushes at this stop. A BOBCAT was sitting under a large oak tree on the east side of the highway.
Further south, (just beyond Bear Valley Fire Station), we turned east on Gloria Road. This well maintained dirt road is public, but all areas off the road are private property. It is often patrolled by the local landowners, who can be quite intimidating, even threatening. So, please respect the private property, even if there is no fence on the road in areas. The highlight of this road was 360 LAWRENCE’S GOLDFINCHES, multiple flocks. The biggest flocks were at the summit, in the open grasslands, just before you reach the Monterey County sign. (If you reach the sign, go back).

Driving slowly on this road will likely put the goldfinches up in flocks and they will land on the barbed wire fences. Best to stay in your car. The flocks are almost 100% Lawrence’s right now. It will be interesting to see if the Lessers and Americans join them, as they usually do. Again, the best way to see them is to stay in your car. Two CHIPPING SPARROWS ( 1 adult, 1 HY), were also on the fence with the goldfinches.

Also along Gloria Road: LARK SPARROWS, OAK TIT, YELLOW-BILLED MAGPIE (50+ at the summit), BELL’S SAGE SPARROW, BELTED KINGFISHER, COOPER’S HAWK, SHARP SHINNED HAWK, BLACK PHOEBE, CALIFORNIA TOWHEE, WILD TURKEY, BUSHTIT, SCRUB JAY, DARK-EYED JUNCO, WESTERN BLUEBIRD, BEWICK’S WREN, WILSON’S WARBLER, ACORN WOODPECKER, WRENTIT, and 1 BOBCAT, and 1 COYOTE.

Goldfinches forever,
Debi Shearwater

En Route to Fort Bragg Pelagic Trip

2007-07-28T16:40:00.000-07:00

July 28, 2007

Got a late start. On the drive up to Fort Bragg for tomorrow’s pelagic trip, Don and I stopped at the Ukiah Sewer Ponds. Nothing unusual to report.

Best birds were: CLARK’S GREBE, GREATER SCAUP, and SPOTTED SANDPIPER. Since I dislike the drive on Highway 20 from Willets, we decided to take Low Gap Road. This is a slow and winding dirt road, through some beautiful woodland habitat. Best bird was a single male MOUNTAIN QUAIL that Don spotted, standing on the side of the road. It was a very hot day—92F.

We arrived in Fort Bragg about 4 pm, and met up with a lot of our friends for dinner at Silver’s at the Wharf where I am now writing this blog. We are all looking forward to tomorrow’s pelagic trip with great anticipation!

—Debi

Alaska Photos

2007-07-27T15:32:00.000-07:00

July 27, 2007

I sent some photos this morning from our trip. Nothing spectacular, but nice. We are in Ketchikan and it is bright, sunny. Supposed to rain here almost all the time.

SITKA, AK

Red-breasted Sapsucker

Song Sparrow

Townsend's Warbler

GLACIER BAY

Kittlitz’s Murrelet

MAMMALS

Humpback Whale

Brown Bear

That’s all for now!

Debra

Alaska Cruise

2007-07-22T15:08:00.000-07:00

July 22, 2007

Hello, Seabirders,

Currently, I am on Holland America’s Amsterdam, which departed from Seattle, WA on July 20th. Say, what? Okay, so its not your ordinary “pelagic trip!” Nevertheless, I’m out at sea, enjoying cabin service, the hot tub and fantastic food while birding, along with 1200 other passengers. Who says seabirding can’t be done in luxury?

This morning, I awoke to a SOUTH POLAR SKUA, flying outside my cabin window. It was soon followed by several ARCTIC TERNS and two POMARINE JAEGERS. So, that had me jumping out of bed to find out what else was around. Several TUFTED PUFFINS flew off, followed by a single HORNED PUFFIN, which was spotted by my friend, Don Doolittle. By far, the most abundant bird of the day has been LEACH’S STORM-PETREL, with over 200 recorded. One FORK-TAILED STORM-PETREL was flying off the bow of the ship. Breaching and tail-lobbing HUMPBACK WHALES made a great show.

Seas are fairly calm, about a Beaufort 1-1.5; sea surface temperature is 14C. We are traveling on average at 22 knots, and headed for Juneau, Alaska.

The following species list is for BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA ABOUT 9O MILES OFF THE MAINLAND: (74 miles SE of the tip of Queen Charlotte Island, 85 miles NNW of Nootka Island; N50.50, W129.54 at 11 am. and N51.11, W130.10 about noon).

BLACK-FOOTED ALBATROSS-18
NORTHERN FULMAR-9
SOOTY/SHORT-TAILED SHEARWATER-8
SHORT-TAILED SHEARWATER-12
LEACH’S STORM-PETREL-200+
FORK-TAILED STORM-PETREL-1
SOUTH POLAR SKUA-1
POMARINE JAEGER-2
ARCTIC TERN-8
TUFTED PUFFIN-20+
COMMON MURRE-12
HORNED PUFFIN-1
RHINOCEROS AUKLET-20
GLAUCOUS-WINGED GULL-6
HERRING GULL-3
HUMPBACK WHALE-6

Shearwaters in luxury,
Debi