Panama Canal Cruise

Hi, everyone. I returned last night from an exciting "bucket list" cruise aboard the MS Noordam -- from Fort Lauderdale to Vancouver, B.C. via the Panama Canal.  The Panama Canal is a marvel of engineering, and when you think that the engineering technology that was implemented in the early 1900's is still essentially what is in use today, you cannot help but feel amazed. The seabirding from the ship varied from quite slow in parts of the Caribbean Sea and off Central America to large numbers of Wedge-tailed Shearwaters and boobies off of Mexico, and very exciting in high winds and rough seas off of California. Sea turtles were very common just off Acapulco, lots of green sea turtles (some being used as a raft by Black Terns) and a few leatherbacks. Favorite birds?  Probably the four pterodroma petrels: one Black-capped Petrel in the Caribbean, good looks at Cook's Petrels off Mexico (with poor views off of California), great views of Murphy's Petrels off of both California and southern Oregon, and finally ( and I do mean finally), good views of three Hawaiian Petrels off California. The latter species has eluded me in ABA waters on several cruises, so I am very content to have had them last week. Lastly, one of my favorite birds seen from the boat was not a seabird at all: it was one of the three Fork-tailed Flycatchers seen on fences as we transited the Miraflores Locks in the Panama Canal. This cruise is one that I highly recommend to anyone who enjoys cruise ships.

Two Months Until Our Spring Deepwater Trip!

Well, I have had a chance to catch my breath after last month's exciting pelagic, and now I am looking forward to our next trip, on Sunday, May 17. We only offer two deepwater trips a year, one in spring and another in the late summer. The deepwater trips are always interesting, because we never know what might be out in the "blue water". Last year, although we dipped on Leach's Storm-Petrel (normally seen on this trip), we had our first ever Ashy Storm-Petrel as an even better consolation prize. Ocean conditions last year pushed large numbers of storm-petrels up from California, and we had Ashies on every trip from May on. Of course, things could be different this year, so we'll just have to see what's out there.  We have four early registration spots still available, and then normal prices will be in place after these are filled. Come join us for an exciting day on the ocean!

PFMC Forage Fish Initiative Passed!

Well, my friends, everyone who cares about seabirds, sport fishing and healthy oceans should celebrate today.  I received an email from Joe Liebzeit of the Audubon Society of Portland informing me that the efforts of many groups, businesses and individuals, including myself on behalf of The Bird Guide and Oregon Pelagic Tours, have paid off.  The Pacific Fisheries Management Council unanimously passed its initiative for protection for forage fish in our EEC (Exclusive Economic Zone).  The fish and squid species included in this initiative are critical components of a balanced ocean ecosystem, providing food for a variety of sport and commercial fishes, marine mammals, and the seabirds we all love to see. I was asked to prepare testimony and spent much of yesterday afternoon in the Vancouver Hilton hoping to testify before the council. Unfortunately, the Council adjourned before taking public comment. Due to prior commitments, I was unable to return this morning, but along with others hoping to comment, on Monday I did manage to meet the Vice-Chairman and informally share my views. IT is important to note that while this initiative does not provide unlimited protection for forage fish, it does prohibit new fisheries from targeting this fishery, and is historic in that these species had previously been ignored by the PFMC. Definitely a step in the right direction. I thank everyone involved in this process.