Island Scrub-Jay Pelagic 2018
Island Scrub-Jay
We are kicking off the new year with our first birding excursion March 10th. This trip has had success in the past few years, allowing time on Santa Cruz Island to see the endemic Island Scrub-Jay, and will cover portions of the Santa Barbara Channel. While on board we will search for Alcids and early returning breeding seabirds and tour the north shore of Anacapa Island. This is also a great time to look for returning north bound whales (Gray and Humpback)
Anacapa Island
The trip is scheduled to depart from the Channel Islands Harbor in Oxnard. We will travel aboard the motor vessel Vanguard for a 9-hour event. Typically, we skirt the edge of the Hueneme Canyon on our way to Anacapa Island. We often encounter a variety of seabirds including, Cassin’s Auklets, Scripps’s Murrelets, Common Murres, Rhinoceros Auklets, and Black-vented Shearwaters. We will motor along the coast of Anacapa Island and look at the groups of seabirds congregating for the nesting season. Later we arrive at Prisoner’s Harbor on Santa Cruz Island where we disembark for an hour or so to observe the Island Scrub-Jay and other terrestrial birds. On the crossing home, we will have a good stretch of water to cover with more pelagic birding opportunities.
Typical Route on the Scrub-Jay Pelagic
Last year on this date Island Packers ran a whale watch and we had a spectacular day. Humpback Whales, Ancient Murrelets, and a Manx Shearwater!
The trip is priced at $80 per person and will depart the Channel Islands Harbor at 8 am and will return by 5 pm. A contingent of experienced Pelagic Leaders will be aboard to help find birds and help you identify them.
You can sign up by calling Island Packers at (805) 642-1393 or online at www.IslandPackers.com Click on the Reserve Trip tab, then the Special Trips Tab and select the March 10th date with an 8 am departure.