8 April mini-pelagic results

8 April 2019: Povey, Carlson, Christensen, and Stahl ventured offshore from 7a-1p, departing from Shelter Island, covering the 9 Mile Bank and a short jaunt in to the San Diego Trough.

Conditions were good, with 3-6’ swell at 14s, with winds picking up around noon when we returned to shore. SST roughly 62-64F. Migration was visible, with a decent push of Pacific Loons and a few Red-necked Phalaropes. 

The RED-NECKED GREBE, now in alternate plumage, continued (since 11 November) near the fishing pier at the west end of Shelter Island.

Offshore totals, exclusive of San Diego Bay:

Surf Scoter – 5

Eared Grebe – 1 on the 9 Mile Bank

Red-necked Phalarope – 10 appear to be the first for San Diego this spring (a few earlier reports from L.A. and Santa Barbara county pelagics)

Phalarope sp. – 3 seen briefly appeared to be a mixed Red/Red-necked flock

Jaeger sp. – likely a Parasitic seen briefly by Dave

Scripps’s Murrelet – 92, mostly paired, with some trios

Cassin’s Auklet – 15

Bonaparte’s Gull – 11

Western Gull  – 130

California Gull – 20

Elegant Tern  – 225

Pacific Loon  – 250 headed north, in alternate plumage, in groups of 10-30

Pink-footed Shearwater – 1

Sooty Shearwater – 7

Black-vented Shearwater – 50

Brown Booby – 2

Upcoming pelagic schedule is available at sandiegopelagics.com including:

Sunday May 12 (12hr trip)

Sunday June 9 (12hr trip)

Best,

Justyn Stahl

San Clemente Island