Bob
One neglected comment. To the words, " more than one birder spent the vast
majority of the trip laying down below deck, waiting for the trip to end:
should be added, "and hoping to die".
Darrel
From: "Robert O'Brien" <baro@xxxxxxx>
To: "obol" <obol@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>, "Matthew O'Brien" <matthewobrien@xxxxxxxxxxx>,
"Carol and Mark" <carol.mark@xxxxxxx>, "Chris O'Brien" <chris@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>,
"Mark O'Brien" <mmobrien@xxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Wednesday, October 19, 2016 10:22:56 PM
Subject: [obol] Historic Oregon Pelagic Trips (long post)
Dave Irons has presented a concise summary of Oregon Pelagic Trips
in 'recent' times. However, he has missed a period of 5-10 years when
I in conjunction with Nick Lethaby and Skip Russel, led a series
of 10-20 Pelagic trips out of the Northern Oregon Coast, mostly
Garibaldi.
My involvement ended in 2007 when my family/work life just became
too time consuming to continue. These trips were continued by
Greg Gilson and most recently others as Dave described.
Most of the trips in which I was involved went out of Garibaldi, which
was the most convenient location for most birders because of its
proximity to Portland. They started pre-Internet and most recruiting
was done at Portland Birders' Night. All proceeds beyond the
boat rental fee went to Portland Audubon.
With Garibaldi as a destination It was not difficult to make this a
1-day trip, traveling from Portland to Garibaldi and back without requiring
an overnight stay. Carpooling was convenient.
These trips usually went out about 20-25 miles, due to limitations of
start/stop
times and the fishing boat's speed.
The trips soon evidenced a predictable, 'standard' pattern.
Summer trips found all three jaegers as well as South Polar Skua,
but not necessarily all on any given trip; Skua and Long-tailed the least
common.
'Tons' of Sooty Shearwaters, Norther Fulmars, and Black-footed
Albatrosses were the mainstay. Usually we found Fork-tailed
Storm Petrels (one trip a 'raft' of 1000 or so; but never Leach's, which occur
farther offshore.
Both pelagic phalaropes were found on fall trips. Among the alcids
Common Murre & Cassin's Auklets were regular, usually in large
numbers. Marbled Murrelets in small numbers were predictable if we
took the time to look for them in near-shore waters. Black-legged
Kittiwakes the same. Turfted Puffins were rare but occasionally
seen. Arctic Terns and Sabine's Gulls were uncommon but expected.
At least one trip was made to 50 miles out of Ilwaco in the spring.
I recall someone asking me as we reached the 50-mile mark:
"OK we're at 50 miles, what are we going to see?" Fortunately
a small flock of Leach's Storm Petrels appeared as if on
cue and shortly a breeding-plumage, actual _Red_ Phalarope.
Neither had been seen on other trips (breeding plumage Red Phalarope,
that is). A close-in and cooperative Short-tailed Shearwater
was also photographed to good advantage, which seemed
unusual in June. Otherwise, the trip had the 'normal' species.
October trips usually enjoyed warm, calm, sunny weather (hopefully
not too long-lingering fog). Five (count 'em) shearwater
species were hoped for and usually seen.
Although Black-tailed Albatrosses were invariably common to
abundant, other albatross species were missing from these trips.
Consequently a winter trip was once made from Newport in hope of finding
Laysan Albatross that was more expected in winter. This was
successful and also produced an off-shore _adult_ Glaucous
Gull. Juveniles are rare but regular in coastal and Willamette
Valley in winter, but adults are quite rare.
Dave doesn't mention Laysan or Short-tailed Albatross in his
post. Laysan is now breeding in western Mexico (not just the
central Pacific) and Short-tailed Albatross populations are
increasing with protection after reaching near-extinction following
World War 2. This undoubtedly accounts for their increasing
appearance on pelagics in recent decades, although still an
exciting find.
Notable by their absence in all these trips were _any_ of the rarities,
which Dave has focused on. These may have increased in abundance in
subsequent decades but another factor is the location. Garibaldi,
although convenient to Portland, proved not to be the best starting
point for pelagics. Ilwaco may be better, but we conducted too
few trips to know for sure. Certainly the offshore, seafloor contours
off of Newport have turned out to be a much better destination.
A negative factor is the seabirders' nemesis: Seasickness.
Fortunately I don't get seasick, but
I saw quite a bit of it among birders on these trips. Often it
isn't a pretty sight and more than one birder spent the vast
majority of the trip laying down below deck, waiting for the
trip to end.
As for the 'Cruise Ship' pelagics, there are several advantages.
I am grateful to Jeff Gilligan and Tom Crabtree in helping me
develop these comments on a recent 'cruise', my first.
1. Seasickness is almost never is a problem. The gigantic ships
are very stable.
2. Much longer times offshore, basically dawn to dusk, whereas
'fishing boat' pelagics spend many hours going and and
returning from the distant waters. (This is not completely an
advantage, quite a few 'pelagic' species are found in near-shore
waters and not farther offshore.
3. Farther offshore, typically 50-60 miles, increasing the likelihood
of _rare_ species. The water is usually warmer out there, at least
in summer, producing a different range of species that frequent
warmer waters. These species qualify as 'rarities' and are much
sought after.
4. A quite different viewing perspective, often looking down on birds
rather than up. This can give somewhat different 'field marks', and not
necessarily better ones, although it greatly minimizes the problem
of birds disappearing behind waves.
Disadvantages are also significant:
1. The ship just keeps on going, 20-25 mph. Birds seen are
never around long because the ship usually leaves them behind.
This is especially true with multispecies 'feeding flocks' .
With a fishing boat you can literally chase down feeding flocks
and sometimes individual birds as well. And then stay with them.
2. No chumming. It's hard to overestimate the advantages of
attracting seabirds with various forms of food dribbled behind the
fishing boat. In practice few seabirds seem to 'follow' the cruise ships.
3. Offshore fishing boats (especially 'factory ships' often attract gigantic
flocks of seabirds. Birding fishing boats can go to or sometimes follow them.
The cruise ship just keeps on cruisin'.
4. Although you can see more birds with a higher vantage point
above the waves, many are at a great distance and can only be
identified with experience. Even if identified, detailed study
is usually not possible. The can be a major disadvantage for
a bird 'watcher' like me. Photography is much less satisfying.
5. Cost. Cruisin' ain't cheap, although there are significant benefits
as well, mostly the huge range of 'free' food. (You've already
paid for it). There is also the round-trip transportation costs
of the embarkation and disembarkation locations.
Anyhow, if you've read this far, and are still interested in pelagic
birding, you can do it cost- and seasickness-free by studying the
next photo taken 60 miles offshore Coos Bay on a
cruise about a month ago.
How many species can you find? How many can you ID?
See next post.
Bob OBrien Carver OR