Date: 7/2/26 7:09 am From: Alvaro Jaramillo via groups.io <chucao...> Subject: [northbaybirds] Current ocean conditions - Weather good for upcoming Farallon trips.
Hello all.
This year’s ocean conditions so far have been great. Spring and early
summer are the main time for the upwelling process to happen when consistent
winds blow from the NW and bring cold nutrient rich water to the surface of
the ocean. These nutrients, now in ample sunshine near the surface create
food for plankton, and the rest of the food chain. This has happened within
the backdrop of a warm ocean offshore and to our south, with now an El Niño
on the equatorial Pacific. That means that at the equator ocean water is
well warmer (hotter) than the norm, and this creates a low food situation
there. Birds from the Humboldt Current and Galapagos are dispersing now,
Blue-footed Boobies have been seen out of range to the south, and presumably
some are moving north. We have this warm water offshore and to our south as
I mentioned, yet the upwelling situation roughly from San Mateo county
north, means there is ample food where we are. Breeding birds on the
Farallon Islands should be doing well with local food supplies, and offshore
we expect that regular migrants, and maybe some dispersing rarer species may
be there again drawn in by the food. There has been a lot of good Humpback
Whale feeding situations, and a good diversity of marine mammals as well
offshore.
I am excited as I will be returning to the Bay Area to help guide this
weekend’s trips. I have not been on a boat for a while, and it will be great
fun. I shall return for the September trips as well. If you want to catch
the bonanza of breeding birds on the Farallon Islands not only are the ocean
conditions interesting, the weather forecast is good for a good ride out
there. I realize some folks have trepidation about heading out on a boat,
well this weekend the trips look to be in good weather (at least as
forecast). There are spaces available still. The Sunday offshore trip may
sellout, send me an email if it does, there are often last minute
cancellations.
