I just got off the Nieuw Amsterdam on Sunday (4/27), having enjoyed a repositioning cruise. Because of the stops on the itinerary, we had two sea days. I was traveling with a friend and chose to limit my birding, but still had a great trip -- highlights included 113 Leach's Storm-Petrels, 53 Murphy's Petrels, and 1 Cook's Petrel. I am looking forward to the Oregon Pelagic Tours guided repositioning cruise on Sapphire Princess, May 7-11. Spots are still available, but you'd have to move fast to contact me.
Tuesday, April 30, 2024
Tuesday, April 16, 2024
WOS Pelagics, April 26 and 27: One going, one canceled
The pelagics arranged for the Washington Ornithological Society on Friday, April 26 and Saturday, April 27 have a mixed result. Friday's pelagic reached full status relatively quickly, while Saturday's pelagic did not register enough passengers to even get halfway to the minimum number needed to run the trip. With less than two weeks to go, we had to cancel the pelagic and release the boat's availability back to the charter office. Never a decision to make lightly, some trips just do not get enough sign-up to justify the great expense of chartering a boat, and I hope all participants attending the WOS Meeting find other enjoyable field trips and birding opportunities.
Monday, April 1, 2024
OPT Update -- Repo Cruise, Ilwaco Tour and more
Oregon Pelagic Tours is poised for a great year, starting this month. We will be providing pelagics out of Ilwaco for the Washington Ornithological Society on April 26 and April 27. The Friday trip is full, but the Saturday trip has plenty of spaces. Cost will be $257 per person ($200 for WOS members attending the conference). Don't pass up this chance to do some pelagic birding in Pacific County, WA waters.
The guided repositioning cruise with Russ and Tim aboard the Sapphire Princess May 7-11 from Los Angeles to Vancouver, B.C. has eight birders plus the guides. We will have three full days of ocean birding. Highlights are Murphy's Petrel (likely), and possibly Hawaiian and Cook's Petrels, as well as other species. We would be happy to have one or two more birders join us.
This summer, in addition to our regular tours August through October, Oregon Pelagic Tours will be offering a short pelagic in July for those people who are not certain they want or are able to spend a full day on the ocean. This trip fits in well with summer vacations, and while not offering all the seabird diversity of our later trips, still offers a very good chance at seeing albatross. This trip will be Saturday, July 13, and will leave from Newport.
And this year, we are again offering trips out of both Garibaldi and Newport. Book your trip today!