Twelve nature enthusiasts from near (Kona, Mauna Lani, Waimea) and far (O'ahu, Oregon, Texas, Florida) endured eight hours of pelagic birding (frigatebird, terns, noddies, petrels, shearwaters, tropicbirds, boobies) and other wildlife (Spinner Dolphin and Spotted Dolphin pods, gigantic Marlin, Spearfish, Green Turtle).
Between the hours of 6:30 AM and 2:30 PM we covered 72.5 miles of the Pacific Ocean and encountered the following species:
The next pelagic trip is set for SATURDAY, APRIL 14th. Email Lance.Tanino@gmail.com for signing up and information.
HAWAIIAN PETREL - 2; endangered endemic
Bulwer's Petrel - 15
Wedge-tailed Shearwater - 19
Sooty Shearwater - 7; migrant passing through the islands
NEWELL'S SHEARWATER - 1; endangered endemic
Procellariid sp. - 3
Leach's Storm-Petrel - 2; migrant passing through
White-tailed Tropicbird - 3
Great Frigatebird - 1
Masked Booby - 1
Brown Booby - 1
Red-footed Booby - 1
Brown Noddy - 4
Black Noddy - 2
Brown/Black Noddy sp. - 1
White Tern - 11
MARINE MAMMALS
Spinner Dolphin (one pod)
Spotted Dolphin (a very large pod that covered a large area)
FISHES
Marlin - A gigantic individual was hooked by another boat and observed on the horizon thrashing the water surface and leaping completely out of the water.
Spearfish - While trolling one was brought on board.
Flying Fish - Numerous throughout the day
REPTILES
Green Turtle - 3