It was incredibly calm this morning when we all boarded our Shearwater Journey's boat, the Telstar, at the harbor in Ft. Bragg. There were several passengers that had also been on the Friday trip, but also some new ones aa well. It was good to see some friends for the first time in a long time. Scott Tirrell and Peter Pyle were two of the leaders onboard. Jen Fowler and her brother were aboard. She was the caretaker of the nightingale-thrush in SD and was in CA for her brother's wedding next Friday. Our course today was almost due south after we left the inlet. We encountered numbers of Cassin's Auklets and a pair of Marbled Murrelets before we had gone very far. We saw many of the birds we had seen on Friday. However, we did add a new one....Hawaiian Petrel, which was a lifebird for me and definitely a new bird for the year (#689). (Photos of my lifer are courtesy of Todd McGrath) The petrel approached the boat from the stern, made a turn, went around the back of the boat, and along the starboard side. Everyone got great looks at this rarity. Later we got to see an immature Franklin's Gull, a good bird for CA just as it's a good bird for VA. Again today there were good numbers of Sabine's Gulls, Buller's Shearwaters, and Long-tailed Jaegers. We also saw a South Polar Skua. When we got back to port, John and I quickly headed for the car and went to the nearrby Starbucks for a take-away coffee and snack. We drove 200 miles across the coastal range and up I-5 to Red Bluff where we got a motel. We're positioned for a run tomorrow morning for the Yellow Rail that has been calling at Willow Lake.
Good luck with rail and snowcock!
ReplyDeleteP.S. Yesterday, Will Russell relocated the Sinaloa Wren along the edge of Sonoita Creek about 200 yards south of the Patons, very near where Blue Haven Road almost touches the creekbed.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on the Hawaiian Petrel! Always great to add a life bird whether it's a big year or not . . . hope you get the rail (and at least 10 other birds before the year's out). Renee
ReplyDeleteHey, I got Upland Sandpipers today. Lets seeee, Hawaiian petrel or Uplands, yeh I hate you. Just kidding, way to go!!!!!!!!!! Audrey
ReplyDeleteThanks for another great day in the field together! That was sure a pelagic to remember! I will have to stake out another rare bird for you to come visit in SD. ~Jen
ReplyDeleteNed, your Aug. 12th posting was perfect foreshadowing. Wish we saw that on the Condor on 7/31, not that I'm complaining about the Cook's Petrel, mind you.
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