Date: 8/24/26 9:51 am From: <lehman.paul...> via groups.io <lehman.paul...> Subject: [CALBIRDS] San Diego pelagic Aug 22: Wilson's & 25 Least & 5+ Townsend's,; Guadalupe & 16 Craveri's; Laysan & 14+ Black-footeds; Nazca; Fulmar
The San Diego pelagic trip on Saturday, August 22, aboard "Legacy" out of Seaforth Landing and sponsored by Buena Vista Audubon Society was quite good. Highlights of the trip included a fairly cooperative Wilson's Storm-Petrel at the 30-Mile Bank (31 mi WSW of Point Loma), initially found roosting in a Black Storm-Petrel raft, a total of 25 Least Storm-Petrels (scattered, but mostly at 30-Mile Bank), plus a small number of Townsend's (5+) and moderate numbers of Leach's (30+). A cooperative Guadalupe Murrelet was closer to shore than normal at the outer edge of the Nine-Mile Bank (13-1/4 mi SW of Point Loma), and a puzzling intermediate Guadalupe-type (probably a "San Benito Murrelet") was photographed earlier in the day in the San Diego Trough (photos will be analyzed). Also 16 Craveri's. A fine Laysan Albatross (30-Mile Bank) was likely the same banded bird seen on our trip in the same area two weeks earlier, and as many as ca. 14+ Black-footed Albatrosses were seen. An unseasonal Northern Fulmar was 5-3/4 mi W of Point Loma. An adult Nazca Booby flew over the boat in the San Diego Trough, and 3 immature Masked/Nazca Boobies were at two sets of buoys: 2 birds in the mid- San Diego Trough and 1 on the inside of the Nine-Mile Bank. We shall see if the many photos obtained might elevate one or more of these young birds to full species rank. A total of 7 Cocos Boobies included one pale-headed adult male. A Forster's Tern 9-3/4 mi W of Point Loma was farther offshore than normal. Water temperatures continue to run a bit warm, with readings mostly between 71.5 and 73.5 degrees.
Lots of photos from the trip are and will be posted with the shared eBird lists that came out earlier today.
Totals for the trip once we were over a mile offshore were as follows:
