Fort Bragg Mega-rarity Bird Report
Fort Bragg pelagic trips offer one of the best opportunities to find Hawaiian Petrels anywhere on the California coast. Three sightings of HAWAIIAN PETRELS on Shearwater Journey’s August 8, 2008 pelagic trip from Fort Bragg’s Noyo Harbor thrilled seabirders with repeated passes as close as 50 feet to the boat! It’d been in the news that 8-8-08 was supposed to be a very lucky day - and indeed it was for the folks who searched for Mega-rarities on the Shearwater journey.
Other highlights of the trip included two XANTUS’ MURRELETS, sitting on the water providing excellent views of this small alcid that rarely reaches northern California; a BLUE WHALE just outside of the harbor, over 90 BLACK-FOOTED ALBATROSSES; great views of CASSIN’S AUKLETS; a grand slam on all three species of jaegers, POMARINE, PARASITIC, and LONG-TAILED JAEGERS; over 550 COMMON MURRES, many with chicks, 55 RHINOCEROS AUKLETS, and other assorted wildlife.
There were great sea conditions, with practically no wind from the north. This presented a rare opportunity to travel south with no fears of being “creamed” on their return trip to the harbor by the prevailing northwest winds.
Conditions were so perfect that she decided to head to a “Life” canyon for her - Navarro Canyon off of Point Arena. Debbie explained, “This area of ocean has practically never been explored by any seabirders. Navarro Canyon needs much more exploration, and I fully intend to do this!”