Saturday, November 8, 2014

Upcoming trip: February 7, 2015

Laysan Albatross Oregon Pelagic Tours
Laysan Albatross
[Participants: Check back here a few days before the trip for trip update (weather forecast, trip reminders).]

Join us as a chapter begins in birding the Pacific Ocean off Oregon!  The first trip of the new Oregon Pelagic Tours is an 8 hour winter seabirds trip. This particular trip goes out of Newport, Oregon about 25 miles. The price will be $140, with a discount of $10 to the first ten people who register -- registration is only complete when payment is received.

Target species:
Laysan Albatross
Short-tailed Shearwater
Rock Sandpiper (jetty)
Ancient Murrelet
Black-legged Kittiwake

Possible winter rarities:
Short-tailed Albatross (Feb 2014, Mar 2006, Mar 2001)
Horned Puffin (Feb 2009, Mar 2007)
Parakeet Auklet (Dec 2012)
Mottled Petrel (Dec 2012)

Highlights from February 2014: 
2 Long-tailed Duck
1 Laysan Albatross
18 Black-footed Albatross
1 SHORT-TAILED ALBATROSS
35 Ancient Murrelet 
20 Black-legged Kittiwake

The success rate for pelagic trips offshore in the last 9 winters has been 6 of 9 (67%), which is quite good--only 3 trips canceled for rough seas. But you should have alternate land-based birding plans--just in case. The success rate for finding Laysan Albatrosses when we do get offshore the last 9 winters is 6 of 6 (100%), many with multiple sightings!

Possible weather date: February 21. We are experimenting with offering a second date as a back-up if our trip weathers out on February 7.  This alternative will only work if most of the February 7 participants are also availaible to go out on February 21.  Please indicate on your reservation if you would be willing to go on this date if the February 7 date is weathered out.

Departure time: 7:30 am
(Arrive 30 minutes early for roll call and orientation.)

Price: $130 for first 10 passengers who register and send payment; otherwise $140 per person. 

To reserve your space click on the Reservations tab above.

Preparation material is here.