Cook's & HA Petrels in Calif

[Debi Shearwater]

A July 31 pelagic trip from Monterey broke the record number of Cook's Petrels found on a single day trip- 138. An August 2 dedicated search trip from Monterey for the petrels turned up 71 Cook's along with 3 Dark-rumped Petrels. Another dedicated search trip from Monterey on Aug 6th found a flock of 22 Cook's sitting on the water. It was very, very calm on these trips. An Aug 12 trip from Bodega Bay found 11 Cook's and one knock out Hawaiian Petrel. This was a windier day. It is looking like a sensational year for these seabirds which are rarely found within reach of a one day trip offshore.

[Alex Lees]

A July 31 pelagic trip from Monterey broke the record number of Cook's Petrels found on a single day trip- 138. An August 2 dedicated search trip from Monterey for the petrels turned up 71 Cook's along with 3 Dark-rumped Petrels. Another dedicated search trip from Monterey on Aug 6th found a flock of 22 Cook's sitting on the water. It was very, very calm on these trips. An Aug 12 trip from Bodega Bay found 11 Cook's and one knock out Hawaiian Petrel. This was a windier day. It is looking like a sensational year for these seabirds which are rarely found within reach of a one day trip offshore.

Hi Debi

How did you pin the Aug 12th 'Dark-rumped Petrel' as Hawaiian? Stellar views? For anyone interested there is some nice summary data and comment on these two cryptic species here (http://creagrus.home.montereybay.com/DRPE_id.html), a problem apparently no less intractable than the North Atlantic 'Soft-plumaged Petrels'! I count myself as very fortunate to have been on the boat 35 nmi W of Point Conception, Santa Barbara in April 2001...

cheers

Alex