Pelagics 101

Pelagic Birding Season is starting. Are you ready?

YouTube of our Panel on August 12

TL;DR at the bottom

Upcoming events you may be interested in:

• Monterey Bay Festival of Birds Pelagic Trip – Friday, October 10, co-sponsored with Cheeseman’s Eco-Safaris. A beginner-friendly, 4-hour cruise designed as an introduction to pelagic birding (just 5 spots left at the time of the talk).

• Ongoing Beginner Birding Walks (twice monthly), expanded Birdability accessible outings, and fall Point Pinos Seawatch (Nov 1–Dec 15) with seabird counter Alison returning for our 10th season.

• Cheeseman's Eco-Safaris - Whale watching trips with Happy Whale: https://cheesemans.com/whale-watching-tours

Where to find a Pelagic Cruise

• Monterey Seabirds

  • https://gowhales.com/trips/pelagic-seabird-tour/

  • Starting in the Monterey Harbor

• Alvaro's Adventures:

  • https://www.alvarosadventures.com/pelagic-dates-2025.html

  • Monterey and Half Moon Bay with one in San Francisco

Amanda’s Mini-Presentation: What is Pelagic Birding?

Slide Deck Here

• Definition: “Pelagic” means open ocean, in this case beyond the continental shelf into deep waters.

• Local Advantage: Monterey Bay’s unique geography allows birders to see rare seabirds close to shore, even from land at places like Point Pinos.

• Species Highlights:

  • Tube-noses (albatrosses, shearwaters, storm-petrels) – salt-excreting specialists built for life far from land.

  • Alcids (murres, puffins, murrelets) – small, compact divers with fast wingbeats.

  • Larids (gulls, terns) – including striking species like Sabine’s Gull and vocal terns.

  • Skuas and jaegers – kleptoparasites known for dramatic aerial chases.

  • Surprises: songbirds hitching rides on boats, shorebirds like phalaropes at sea, and even boobies.

• The Challenge: Most sightings are fleeting silhouettes at a distance. Birders rely on GISS (General Impression of Size and Shape), flight style, and experience to make IDs.

• Opportunities: Aside from boat trips, strong westerly winds can push seabirds within view from shore during Seawatch season.

Monterey Audubon’s October 10 trip with Monterey Bay Festival of Birds offers a shorter, beginner-friendly alternative to all-day pelagics, making it a great first step into this adventurous form of birding.

How to Prepare for a Day at Sea

One of the first audience questions at Monterey Audubon’s Pelagic Birding 101 panel—moderated by Amanda Preece with experts Bill Hubick, Kai Russell, Catherine Webb, John Tsortos, Don Roberson, and Brian Sullivan—was simple but vital:“How do you prepare for a day on a boat?”

1. Sleep & Eat Smart

• Bill Hubick: Get a good night’s sleep and start the morning with a hearty breakfast—something with protein and fat to keep you going.

• Kai Russell: Avoid spicy food the night before; snack steadily instead of eating big meals.

• Catherine Webb: Keep snacks in your pocket (ginger cookies, grapes) for quick energy and hydration.

2. Seasickness Prevention

• Catherine Webb: Find what works for you—Dramamine, Bonine, or scopolamine patches—and take them well before boarding (the night before is best).

• Don Roberson: Minimize movement and stay focused on the horizon; it’s easier to adapt after the first day.

• Brian Sullivan: Stand in the center-back of the boat for stability, and avoid upper decks early on.

3. Dress for Anything

• John Tsortos: Wear multiple layers—wool base layers, waterproof pants, and outerwear—to adapt to fluctuating temperatures.

• Don Roberson: Bring layers, including heavy-duty outerwear for cold, foggy days and keep essentials (snacks, water) on you.

• Brian Sullivan: Figure out how to create your comfort zone. Layers and waterproof gear help in Monterey. I wear Xtratuf rubber boots. The back-center of the boat is the most stable and least wet.

4. Gear & Comfort Tricks

• Keep a soft cotton shirt or lens wipes for cleaning salt spray off binoculars and glasses.

• Use naked-eye scanning often—binocular use can be difficult in rough seas.

• Carry water but sip, don’t chug, to stay hydrated without making constant trips to the head.

5. Mindset Matters

• Start slow and contain your excitement—your body needs time to adjust to the motion.

• Accept that you might miss a bird while grabbing a snack or warming up; comfort and steadiness come first.

• As Don shared from his NOAA days—seasickness lessens with experience.

Spotting & Identifying Seabirds

After covering preparation and comfort at sea, the Pelagic Birding 101 panel dove into the challenge—and thrill—of identifying seabirds in their element.

1. Learn GISS (General Impression of Size and Shape)

• Brian Sullivan: Don’t expect perfect field guide views. Seabirds often appear as quick silhouettes; train your eye to catch overall size, shape, flight style, and behavior.

• Bill Hubick: Use short glimpses to your advantage—focus on a bird’s “feel” rather than waiting for detailed markings.

2. Expect Quick, Passing Views

• Birds may fly past the boat in seconds; resist over-relying on binoculars, which can be tricky in rough seas.

• Many panelists stressed naked-eye scanning first, then confirming with optics.

3. Recognize Flight Patterns

• Shearwaters: Long glides punctuated by quick flaps.

• Storm-petrels: Fluttery, bat-like flight close to the surface.

• Albatrosses: Effortless, stiff-winged glides that barely break the horizon.

4. Look for Behavior and Habitat Clues

• Feeding flocks may mix multiple species—watch how birds interact with each other and with feeding marine mammals.

• Some species prefer the wake behind the boat; others ride wind lines or feed at floating debris.

5. Be Ready for Surprises

• Pelagic trips can bring in unexpected species—jaegers chasing terns, phalaropes spinning on the surface, even songbirds hitching rides.

• Don Roberson: Keep your camera handy but don’t let photography pull you away from observation.

6. Use Reference & Record Tools

• Jot notes while the memory is fresh—include flight style, plumage impressions, and environmental context.

• Pocket ID guides are great, but the on-board naturalist and talking with others will help more.

TL;DR – Pelagic Birding 101 Key Takeaways

• Sleep well & snack often – Avoid spicy food before your trip, eat a hearty breakfast, and keep pocket snacks like ginger cookies or grapes.

• Prevent seasickness early – Take meds (Dramamine, Bonine, or scopolamine patch) the night before; stand midship toward the back for stability.

• Layer up – Wool base layers, waterproof outerwear, and sturdy boots keep you warm, dry, and steady or comfy shoes since you will likely be standing a lot

• Scan naked-eye first – Pelagic birds often pass quickly; rely on GISS (General Impression of Size & Shape) and flight style before lifting binoculars.

• Watch behavior – Look for feeding flocks, wake-followers, and unique flight patterns (shearwaters glide, storm-petrels flutter, albatrosses soar).

• Expect surprises – Anything from phalaropes to songbirds could appear far offshore—stay alert and ready.

She's an Uptown Gull

It's that time of year: the gull chicks are getting too optimistic about their flying abilities.

Western Gull happily nesting on a rooftop. When there are fewer rocky coastlines to safely nest on, these opportunistic birds will make do with what is available. Photo: Paul Fenwick

On many rooftops in coastal cities around Monterey Bay, Western Gulls have been patiently incubating eggs since around May. Both the males and females incubate the eggs, with the expectant parents anxiously waiting for the first pips from their eggs roughly twenty eight days from the onset of incubation. With two to three chicks expected from the two to three-egg clutch, these precocial chicks are up and wandering around their rooftop home shortly after hatching. Once the young gulls are ready to start flying, they'll begin working out their flight muscles by flapping their wings and jumping around. Often they will misjudge their flight ability and glide down to the sidewalk or road, without the ability to fly back up. Their parents will keep feeding them, so it's not a big problem, unless they are near a road.

Western Gull chicks at around 25 days old. Their "big bird feathers", the flight feathers, are coming in on their wings. Photo: Karen Kreiger

When driving around downtown areas near the coast, it's imperative to keep an eye out for these speckled gray fledgling gulls loafing around in the traffic. They are nearly the size of adult gulls, but are dark gray instead of the classic white with a gray back. Please do not assume that a bird will fly out of the way of your car - slow down just in case. It'd be like if there was a kid wandering into traffic - you don't know what they're going to do so you slow down and give them room. These fledglings are so close to flying, and usually just need another week to get their flight feathers fully grown in. Then they can be better prepared for escaping danger. To be fair, they still are a bit dopey, given that they are just 45 days old, and may not react to cars quickly even if they are fully flighted. Again, just be extra vigilant as you drive around downtown areas where gulls are nesting.

Juvenile Western Gull in a parking lot. Can't fly just yet! Photo: iNaturalist user schmeebz

Western Gulls can live into their thirties. They are long-lived monogamous seabirds that are doting parents, key indicators of the health of the marine environment, and certainly taken for granted by us humans, even the birders! While these birds seem to be everywhere along the coast of Monterey Bay, they are in fact not very widespread globally, and have suffered steep declines in recent years. The eBird Status & Trends website shows that Western Gulls have decreased by an astonishing 22% in California since 2012. That's not good. Give these birds some space and some grace in your outings around town. This is a short, critical time for them to get their chicks up and in the air.

If you find an injured bird in Monterey County you should contact the SPCA for Monterey County. Their phone number is listed below.

Wildlife Center Phone Number: (831) 264-5427

Avian Influenza and You

Avian influenza (bird flu) can pose risks to both birds and humans, but the appropriate response depends on the specific circumstances in your area. Here's a breakdown of current guidance regarding bird flu and people:

Should people take down bird feeders?

• General Guidance: In most areas, it's safe to keep bird feeders up. However:

  • If bird flu outbreaks are confirmed in your region, particularly among wild birds, some wildlife agencies may recommend taking down feeders temporarily to reduce the risk of spreading the virus.

  • Feeders should be cleaned regularly (at least every 2-weeks) with a 10% bleach solution to minimize the spread of diseases among birds.

  • Avoid placing feeders near areas where domestic poultry are kept, as they are particularly vulnerable to avian flu.

Should people wear PPE?

• For General Birdwatchers: Wearing PPE is usually unnecessary when observing wild birds at a distance.

• For Handling Birds:

  • It's always a good idea to avoid handling wild birds, and report sick/dead birds to local authorities, however if you need to handle a sick or dead bird, wear gloves and a mask to avoid direct contact with the bird or its droppings.

  • Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water after handling birds or cleaning feeders.

• General

  • Consider mask and gloves when caring for backyard birds and tending to feeders and bird baths

Human Risk from Bird Flu

• Updated flu and COVID-19 vaccines are recommended for everyone 6 months and older.

• Transmission of bird flu from birds to humans is rare but possible, especially with close, prolonged contact with infected birds or their droppings.

• Symptoms in humans can range from mild (conjunctivitis, mild respiratory symptoms) to severe (pneumonia, acute respiratory distress).

• If you suspect exposure to bird flu and develop symptoms, seek medical attention promptly.

Further Reading

• International Bird Rescue

  • https://www.birdrescue.org/conservation-education/conservation/bird-flu-how-to-take-action/

• CA Department of Public Health 

  • https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/pages/Bird-Flu.aspx?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

• Cornell Lab of Ornithology - 

  • https://www.allaboutbirds.org/news/avian-influenza-outbreak-should-you-take-down-your-bird-feeders/