Author Archives: markeaton

Cordell Bank October 11th, 2015

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Trip report courtesy of David Wimpfheimer:

I am happy to share the species list put together by David Wimpfheimer, Steve Howell and Jules Evens for the trip.  If you have any pictures to share, please send them my way!  We would love to share them in our next program newsletter and on the Birding Festival website.

2015 Pelagic Trip Species List: 

COMMON LOON 4

LOON SPECIES 2

RED-NECKED GREBE (1)

CLARK’S GREBE 1

EARED GREBE 2

BLACK-FOOTED ALBATROSS 25 – 30

NORTHERN FULMAR 40-50

BULLER’S SHEARWATER 1

PINK-FOOTED SHEARWATER 160+

SOOTY SHEARWATER 130+

SHORT-TAILED SHEARWATER 4

BLACK-VENTED SHEARWATER 250+

ASHY STORM-PETREL 6

LEACH’S STORM-PETREL (1)

BROWN PELICAN 50

BRANDT’S CORMORANT 20

PELAGIC CORMORANT (3)

BROWN BOOBY 3

BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER 1

RED PHALAROPE 25+

SOUTH POLAR SKUA 2

POMARINE JAEGER 16

PARASITIC JAEGER 4

JAEGER SPECIES 3

SABINE’S GULL 18

HEERMANN’S GULL 2

CALIFORNIA GULL 100+

HERRING GULL 2

WESTERN GULL 150+

WESTERN X GLAUCOUS-WINGED GULL HYBRID 1

GLAUCOUS-WINGED X HERRING GULL HYBRID 1

ELEGANT TERN 40

COMMON MURRE 350+

CASSIN’S AUKLET 13

RHINOCEROS AUKLET 11

PIGEON GUILLEMOT 7

TUFTED PUFFIN 1

 

CALIFORNIA SEA LION 30

STELLER SEA LION 1

NORTHERN FUR SEAL 1

HUMPBACK WHALE 10+

DALL’S PORPOISE 2

OCEAN SUNFISH (4)

20150824 HMB Pelagic

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2015-Aug-23-San-Francisco

Checklist S24802897

Location
Pillar Pt. Harbor, San Mateo County, California, US
Date and Effort
Sun Aug 23, 2015 4:56 PM
Protocol:
Traveling
Party Size:
30
Duration:
12 minute(s)
Distance:
1.0 mile(s)
Observers:
Alexander Koonce List , Alvaro Jaramillo List , Bob Toleno List , Brad Singer List , Brittany O’Connor List , Caroline Lambert List , Chris Harbard List , Dan SingerList , David Assmann List , Hugh Cotter List , Juli Chamberlin List , Kevin GinList , Matthew Dodder List , Matthew Grube List , Michael Gertz List , Mitchell Jarrett List , Tom Benson List , markeaton
Comments:
end of Alvaro’s Adventures pelagic trip to SF waters.
Species
9 species total
20
Brandt’s Cormorant
120
Double-crested Cormorant
800
Brown Pelican
11
Black Oystercatcher
4
Common Murre
1
Pigeon Guillemot
45
Heermann’s Gull
300
Western Gull
650
Elegant Tern
Additional species seen by Dan Singer:
2
Pelagic Cormorant
1
Black-crowned Night-Heron
Additional species seen by Brad Singer:
2
Pelagic Cormorant
1
Black-crowned Night-Heron
Additional species seen by Tom Benson:
2
Pelagic Cormorant
Additional species seen by Bob Toleno:
2
Pelagic Cormorant
1
Black-crowned Night-Heron
Additional species seen by Juli Chamberlin:
2
Pelagic Cormorant
1
Black-crowned Night-Heron
Additional species seen by David Assmann:
2
Pelagic Cormorant
1
Black-crowned Night-Heron
Additional species seen by Matthew Grube:
2
Pelagic Cormorant
1
Black-crowned Night-Heron
Additional species seen by Hugh Cotter:
2
Pelagic Cormorant
1
Black-crowned Night-Heron
Additional species seen by Caroline Lambert:
2
Pelagic Cormorant
1
Black-crowned Night-Heron
Additional species seen by Kevin Gin:
2
Pelagic Cormorant
1
Black-crowned Night-Heron
Additional species seen by Brittany O’Connor:
2
Pelagic Cormorant
1
Black-crowned Night-Heron
Additional species seen by Chris Harbard:
2
Pelagic Cormorant
1
Black-crowned Night-Heron
Additional species seen by Michael Gertz:
2
Pelagic Cormorant
1
Black-crowned Night-Heron
Additional species seen by Alvaro Jaramillo:
2
Pelagic Cormorant
1
Black-crowned Night-Heron
Additional species seen by Matthew Dodder:
2
Pelagic Cormorant
1
Black-crowned Night-Heron
Additional species seen by Mitchell Jarrett:
2
Pelagic Cormorant
1
Black-crowned Night-Heron

Are you submitting a complete checklist of the birds you were able to identify?

Yes

 

Checklist S24802917

Location
Half Moon Bay pelagic–inshore to 5 mi offshore (SM Co.), San Mateo County, California, US
Date and Effort
Sun Aug 23, 2015 4:35 PM
Protocol:
Traveling
Party Size:
30
Duration:
19 minute(s)
Distance:
10.0 mile(s)
Observers:
Alexander Koonce List , Alvaro Jaramillo List , Bob Toleno List , Brad Singer List , Brittany O’Connor List , Caroline Lambert List , Chris Harbard List , Dan SingerList , David Assmann List , Juli Chamberlin List , Kevin Gin List , Matthew DodderList , Matthew Grube List , Michael Gertz List , Mitchell Jarrett List , Tom BensonList , markeaton
Comments:
Harbor seal 1
Submitted from eBird for iOS, version 1.1.0 Build 15
Species
10 species total
30
Sooty Shearwater
6
Brandt’s Cormorant
20
Brown Pelican
3
Red-necked Phalarope
120
Common Murre
35
Heermann’s Gull
100
Western Gull
20
California Gull
1
Caspian Tern
35
Elegant Tern
Additional species seen by Dan Singer:
3
Pelagic Cormorant
Additional species seen by Brad Singer:
3
Pelagic Cormorant
Additional species seen by Tom Benson:
3
Pelagic Cormorant
Additional species seen by Bob Toleno:
3
Pelagic Cormorant
Additional species seen by Juli Chamberlin:
3
Pelagic Cormorant
Additional species seen by Alexander Koonce:
3
Pelagic Cormorant
Additional species seen by David Assmann:
3
Pelagic Cormorant
Additional species seen by Matthew Grube:
3
Pelagic Cormorant
Additional species seen by Caroline Lambert:
3
Pelagic Cormorant
Additional species seen by Kevin Gin:
3
Pelagic Cormorant
Additional species seen by Brittany O’Connor:
3
Pelagic Cormorant
Additional species seen by Chris Harbard:
3
Pelagic Cormorant
Additional species seen by Michael Gertz:
3
Pelagic Cormorant
Additional species seen by Alvaro Jaramillo:
3
Pelagic Cormorant
Additional species seen by Matthew Dodder:
3
Pelagic Cormorant
Additional species seen by Mitchell Jarrett:
3
Pelagic Cormorant

Are you submitting a complete checklist of the birds you were able to identify?

Yes

 

Checklist S24802925

Location
37.4155x-122.7225 – Aug 23, 2015, 3:34 PM, San Mateo County, California, US
Date and Effort
Sun Aug 23, 2015 3:34 PM
Protocol:
eBird Pelagic Protocol
Party Size:
30
Duration:
59 minute(s)
Distance:
10.0 mile(s)
Observers:
Alexander Koonce List , Alvaro Jaramillo List , Bob Toleno List , Brad Singer List , Brittany O’Connor List , Caroline Lambert List , Chris Harbard List , Dan SingerList , David Assmann List , Juli Chamberlin List , Kevin Gin List , Matthew DodderList , Matthew Grube List , Michael Gertz List , Mitchell Jarrett List , Tom BensonList , markeaton
Comments:
Ninth leg of Alvaro’s Adventures pelagic trip to SF waters. Water Temperature 63.8 F. Humpback Whale – 1; California Sea Lion -3.
2015-Aug-23-San-Francisco
Species
9 species total
11
Pink-footed Shearwater
1
Buller’s Shearwater
1080
Sooty Shearwater
10
Red-necked Phalarope
2
Pomarine Jaeger
40
Common Murre
1
Rhinoceros Auklet
22
Western Gull
5
California Gull

Are you submitting a complete checklist of the birds you were able to identify?

Yes

Checklist S24802933

Location
37.3600x-122.8923 – Aug 23, 2015, 2:35 PM, San Mateo County, California, US
Date and Effort
Sun Aug 23, 2015 2:35 PM
Protocol:
eBird Pelagic Protocol
Party Size:
30
Duration:
58 minute(s)
Distance:
10.0 mile(s)
Observers:
Alexander Koonce List , Alvaro Jaramillo List , Bob Toleno List , Brad Singer List , Brittany O’Connor List , Caroline Lambert List , Chris Harbard List , Dan SingerList , David Assmann List , Juli Chamberlin List , Kevin Gin List , Matthew DodderList , Matthew Grube List , Michael Gertz List , Mitchell Jarrett List , Tom BensonList , markeaton
Comments:
Back in San Mateo county. Eighth leg of Alvaro’s Adventures pelagic trip to SF waters. Blue Shark – 5; unidentified dolphin 15; California Sea Lion 15; Northern Fur Seal 2, Mola mola 3; Humpback Whale 5.
2015-Aug-23-San-Francisco
Species
12 species total
1
Laysan Albatross

Likely a different bird than the one seen a couple of hours ago.
11
Black-footed Albatross
2
Northern Fulmar
40
Pink-footed Shearwater
60
Sooty Shearwater
1
Wilson’s Storm-Petrel (Wilson’s)

Good views, appeared to be in wing molt.
1
Red-necked Phalarope
20
Red Phalarope

All in one flock. Not unusual this time of year.
25
Common Murre
1
Cassin’s Auklet
10
Western Gull
2
California Gull
Additional species seen by Dan Singer:
1
Fork-tailed Storm-Petrel
Additional species seen by Brad Singer:
1
Fork-tailed Storm-Petrel
Additional species seen by Tom Benson:
1
Fork-tailed Storm-Petrel
Additional species seen by Bob Toleno:
1
Fork-tailed Storm-Petrel
Additional species seen by Juli Chamberlin:
1
Fork-tailed Storm-Petrel
Additional species seen by Alexander Koonce:
1
Fork-tailed Storm-Petrel
Additional species seen by David Assmann:
1
Fork-tailed Storm-Petrel
Additional species seen by Matthew Grube:
1
Fork-tailed Storm-Petrel
Additional species seen by Caroline Lambert:
1
Fork-tailed Storm-Petrel
Additional species seen by Kevin Gin:
1
Fork-tailed Storm-Petrel
Additional species seen by Brittany O’Connor:
1
Fork-tailed Storm-Petrel
Additional species seen by Chris Harbard:
1
Fork-tailed Storm-Petrel
Additional species seen by Michael Gertz:
1
Fork-tailed Storm-Petrel
Additional species seen by Alvaro Jaramillo:
1
Fork-tailed Storm-Petrel
Additional species seen by Matthew Dodder:
1
Fork-tailed Storm-Petrel
Additional species seen by Mitchell Jarrett:
1
Fork-tailed Storm-Petrel

Are you submitting a complete checklist of the birds you were able to identify?

Yes

Checklist S24802945

Location
37.3439x-122.9947 – Aug 23, 2015, 1:40 PM, San Francisco County, California, US
Date and Effort
Sun Aug 23, 2015 1:40 PM
Protocol:
eBird Pelagic Protocol
Party Size:
30
Duration:
54 minute(s)
Distance:
10.0 mile(s)
Observers:
Alexander Koonce List , Alvaro Jaramillo List , Bob Toleno List , Brad Singer List , Brittany O’Connor List , Caroline Lambert List , Chris Harbard List , Dan SingerList , David Assmann List , Juli Chamberlin List , Kevin Gin List , Matthew DodderList , Matthew Grube List , Michael Gertz List , Mitchell Jarrett List , Tom BensonList , markeaton
Comments:
Seventh leg of Alvaro’s Adventures pelagic trip to SF waters. Again, all is SF County waters. Fur Seals – 14. Note that some may have been Guadalupe Fur Seals based on a photo I took, but I am not certain. Humpback Whale – 1.
2015-Aug-23-San-Francisco
Species
Hide Media
12 species total
9
Black-footed Albatross
1
Northern Fulmar
25
Pink-footed Shearwater
21
Buller’s Shearwater
500
Ashy Storm-Petrel
10
Red-necked Phalarope
3
Red Phalarope
1
South Polar Skua
3
Common Murre
2
Scripps’s Murrelet

Two together.
Scripps's Murrelet
2
Rhinoceros Auklet
22
Western Gull

Are you submitting a complete checklist of the birds you were able to identify?

Yes

Checklist S24802974

Location
37.3600x-122.9627 – Aug 23, 2015, 12:42 PM, San Francisco County, California, US
Date and Effort
Sun Aug 23, 2015 12:41 PM
Protocol:
eBird Pelagic Protocol
Party Size:
30
Duration:
57 minute(s)
Distance:
10.0 mile(s)
Observers:
Alexander Koonce List , Alvaro Jaramillo List , Bob Toleno List , Brad Singer List , Brittany O’Connor List , Caroline Lambert List , Chris Harbard List , Dan SingerList , David Assmann List , Juli Chamberlin List , Kevin Gin List , Matthew DodderList , Matthew Grube List , Michael Gertz List , Mitchell Jarrett List , Tom BensonList , markeaton
Comments:
Sixth leg of Alvaro’s Adventures pelagic trip to SF waters. This one within San Francisco waters. Water Temperature 63.2 F. Blue Shark – 3; Dall’s Porpoise – 5; Northern Fur Seal – 12.
2015-Aug-23-San-Francisco
Species
Hide Media
8 species total
10
Black-footed Albatross
45
Pink-footed Shearwater
40
Buller’s Shearwater
15
Sooty Shearwater
1000
Ashy Storm-Petrel

There may have been more. Various flocks, sitting on water and then flying off to re-sit. Amazingly, the flocks were uniform and no white rumped birds or larger birds present. So all were Ashy! That is unusual as often the flocks have a few other species mixed in.
2
Pomarine Jaeger

First cycle and second cycle?
1
Guadalupe Murrelet

Others have better photos than mine. White goes above eye, connects to white eyelid. Based on Jehl’s score, a “1” so not the whitest faced type, but still whiter faced than birds considered intermediates (given a “2”, have no white above eye, no connection to white top eye crescent).
Guadalupe Murrelet 8-23-15
10
Western Gull

Are you submitting a complete checklist of the birds you were able to identify?

Yes

 

20110731 – Bodega Canyon (SON Co.), Sonoma County, California, US

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Checklist S8984986
Location
Bodega Canyon (SON Co.), Sonoma County, California, US
Date and Effort
Sun Jul 31, 2011 7:30 AM

Protocol:Traveling
Party Size:6
Duration:8 hour(s)
Distance:50.0 mile(s)
Observers: Dan Singer List , Hugh Cotter List , Paul Saraceni List , markeaton
Comments:With Hugh Cotter, Mark Eaton, Alan Hopkins, Kevin McKeregan, and Paul Saraceni. Overcast and fairly windless day with flat or nearly flat seas all day. Water temperature from approximately 56F – 59.5F. Journeyed west to Bodega Canyon, then south along the 500 fathom line to Cordell Bank. No rarities but numerous Fork-tailed Storm-Petrels and Northern Fulmars a highlight. Mammals included Minke Whale (1), Humpbacked Whale, Northern Right Whale Dolphin (~150), Pacific White-sided Dolphin, Risso’s Dolphin, Northern Fur Seal, and California Sea Lion. With Vince aboard the Miss Anita.
Species
20 species (+1 other taxa) total

30
Black-footed Albatross
450
Northern Fulmar
Very high numbers for mid-summer. Most (if not all) appeared to be second-year birds molting outer primaries.
600
Pink-footed Shearwater
6000
Sooty Shearwater
350
Fork-tailed Storm-Petrel
Amazing mid-summer numbers. We encountered numerous rafts. Most appeared to be molting outer primaries, suggesting 2nd year birds. Perhaps “driven” south by food shortages up north?
100
Ashy Storm-Petrel
2
Black Storm-Petrel
Seen by others.
2
Brown Pelican
Unusual to see this species well offshore.
200
Red-necked Phalarope
50
Red Phalarope
Good numbers of adults with many showing some red on underparts.
3
South Polar Skua
Two in wing molt (I didn’t see the first one)
5
Pomarine Jaeger
All adults
2
Long-tailed Jaeger
Adults that had already dropped central rectrices.
255
Common Murre
1
Scripps’s/Guadalupe Murrelet (Xantus’s Murrelet)
Photographed.
300
Cassin’s Auklet
15
Rhinoceros Auklet
55
Sabine’s Gull
Adults; all but one I saw still had full hoods.
3
Heermann’s Gull
Two juveniles and one second cycle bird.
60
Western Gull
3
California Gull
Additional species seen by Dan Singer:
1
Scripps’s Murrelet

Are you submitting a complete checklist of the birds you were able to identify?

Yes

Yuba Pass May ’15

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64 species seen:
Canada Goose (7)
Gadwall (7)
Mallard (7)
Cinnamon Teal (7)
Canvasback (7)
Ruddy Duck (7)
Mountain Quail (3)
Pied-billed Grebe (7, 7)
American White Pelican (2)
American Bittern (7)
White-faced Ibis (7)
Swainson’s Hawk (7, 10)
American Coot (7)
Sandhill Crane (7, 9)
American Avocet (9)
Spotted Sandpiper (2)
Wilson’s Snipe (7, 7)
Wilson’s Phalarope (7)
Anna’s Hummingbird (12)
Red-breasted Sapsucker (5)
Hairy Woodpecker (2)
White-headed Woodpecker (3)
Northern Flicker (4)
Pileated Woodpecker (3)
American Kestrel (7)
Olive-sided Flycatcher (3)
Western Wood-Pewee (2, 3, 12)
Hammond’s Flycatcher (3)
Dusky Flycatcher (4)
Cassin’s Vireo (2, 5)
Warbling Vireo (2, 3)
Steller’s Jay (2)
Black-billed Magpie (11)
Common Raven (3, 7)
Horned Lark (8)
Tree Swallow (5)
Cliff Swallow (7)
Barn Swallow (7)
Mountain Chickadee (3)
Marsh Wren (7)
Hermit Thrush (2)
American Robin (3, 12)
Sage Thrasher (8)
European Starling (11)
Nashville Warbler (2)
MacGillivray’s Warbler (3)
Yellow-rumped Warbler (2, 3)
Hermit Warbler (3)
Wilson’s Warbler (5)
Spotted Towhee (2, 5)
Brewer’s Sparrow (6)
Vesper Sparrow (7)
Fox Sparrow (3)
Song Sparrow (5)
Dark-eyed Junco (3)
Western Tanager (2, 3)
Black-headed Grosbeak (2)
Red-winged Blackbird (7)
Western Meadowlark (7)
Yellow-headed Blackbird (7)
Brewer’s Blackbird (7)
Cassin’s Finch (3)
Evening Grosbeak (3)
House Sparrow (11)

Locations:
1) Yuba ’15
2) Herrington’s (May 29)
3) Yuba Pass (May 30)
4) Chapman Saddle (May 30)
5) Sand Pond (May 30)
6) Calpine Corner (May 31)
7) Marble Hot Springs Road (May 31)
8) Dyson Lane (May 31)
9) Harriet Lane (May 31)
10) Loyalton (May 31)
11) Sierraville (May 31)
12) Donner Memorial State Park (May 31)

9/14/2014 Half Moon Bay Trip report – Bay-breasted Warbler!

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Hi folks

An unexpected rarity on our pelagic out of Half Moon Bay was a Bay-breasted Warbler! It circled the boat several times but never landed, yet it came in close enough that some folks could see the pinkish on the flanks. This was in San Mateo county, photos of the bird in flight are here:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Alvaros-Adventures/201287513297811

Other highlights included Brown Boobies in San Francisco and San Mateo counties, plumage as well as facial features clarified that two birds were involved. We saw few storm petrels, but three species including Black, Ashy and Wilson’s and all three in both counties. All three jaegers showed up, and three South Polar Skuas, several Sabine’s Gulls and Common as well as Arctic Tern. The jaeger, Sabine’s show was the best we have seen this season. One Common Tern was right inshore, it would have been visible from shore off Miramar! Buller’s Shearwaters have been very scarce, only one appeared but Black-vented was pretty common inshore with many nice views close to Half Moon Bay. A gorgeous Tufted Puffin was seen on the way in, only 6 miles from shore. Two pods of Long-beaked Common Dolphin, Risso’s Dolphin, Humpback Whale and five species of pinniped (seals and sea lions). All on smooth and calm seas!

Good birding!

Alvaro

Alvaro Jaramillo
alvaro@alvarosadventures.com
www.alvarosadventures.com

Mono ’14

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Memorial Day Weekend:

Eared Grebe
Double-crested Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
Canada Goose
Mallard
Turkey Vulture
Osprey
Red-tailed Hawk
American Kestrel
California Quail
Mountain Quail
California Gull
Mourning Dove
Eurasian Collared-Dove
Calliope Hummingbird
Red-breasted Sapsucker
White-headed Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Western Wood-Pewee
Dusky Flycatcher
Gray Flycatcher
Tree Swallow
Violet-green Swallow
Cliff Swallow
Black-billed Magpie
Common Raven
Mountain Chickadee
White-breasted Nuthatch
Rock Wren
House Wren
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
American Robin
Sage Thrasher
Loggerhead Shrike
Plumbeous Vireo
Warbling Vireo
Yellow Warbler
Common Yellowthroat
Spotted Towhee
Brewer’s Sparrow
Sage Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Red-winged Blackbird
Western Meadowlark
Yellow-headed Blackbird
Brewer’s Blackbird
Great-tailed Grackle
Brown-headed Cowbird
Bullock’s Oriole
Cassin’s Finch
Black-headed Grosbeak
Pinyon Jay
Steller’s Jay