Date: 9/4/25 7:45 am From: David Pereksta via groups.io <pereksta...> Subject: [venturacobirding] Sep 7 pelagic from the Ventura Harbor
There is still space available for a 12-hour pelagic trip out of the Ventura Harbor on Sep 7 with Island Packers. We will be searching the waters around the northern Channel Islands, which can be very productive this time of year when hundreds (sometimes thousands) of shearwaters crowd into the inter-island gaps and concentrate over offshore banks and canyons. We will be looking through flocks of Black-vented, Pink-footed, and Sooty Shearwaters for Buller's, Flesh-footed (uncommon), and Manx (rare) Shearwaters. We have had Streaked Shearwater twice in the last few years and intend to check that area again on Sunday. This is peak season for seabird diversity so in addition to the species already mentioned, Black-footed Albatross; Black, Ashy, and Leach's Storm-Petrels; Cassin's and Rhinoceros Auklets; Pomarine, Parasitic, and Long-tailed Jaegers; and Red and Red-necked Phalaropes are all possible. It is a good time of year for South Polar Skua, Sabine's Gull, and Arctic Tern. There is also a potential for sought-after species like Red-billed Tropicbird, Cocos Booby, Townsend's Storm-Petrel, Least Storm-Petrel, Guadalupe Murrelet, and Craveri's Murrelet. The last few years have been exceptional for Craveri's Murrelet off southern California and with warm water continuing, our chances to find this elusive species may be good. I saw 11 Craveri's near Anacapa Island last weekend. We will decide what our offshore destinations will be after reviewing oceanographic conditions at the time of the trip, which will help determine where birds and other marine life may be present.
The trip will be on an ultra-fast catamaran that featured a spacious and comfortable cabin, galley, and excellent viewing from both the upper and lower decks. A full contingent of outstanding seabird leaders will be present to make sure we see all that is out there. The Captains and crews know how to run birding trips and are enthusiastic and helpful. In addition, we work hard to creep up on birds and get them in the right light...photographers will not be disappointed!
Trips can be booked over the phone by calling (805) 642-1393 or online at https://islandpackers.com/book-wildlife/ Hope to see you at sea!
