California Pelagic Birding at Its Finest

Pelagic - which means "open ocean" - birding gets you out where the really unique birds live! For many folks, this is the main avenue to see birds like albatrosses, storm-petrels, shearwaters and similar. But pelagic birding takes some effort. Read the Birdist Rule #55: Go on a Pelagic Birding Trip for more insight on the subject.

For 2024, check out Alvaro Jaramillo's pelagic birding trip dates that are finalized for the upcoming summer and fall. The trips head out from Sausalito for the Farallons trip (Tufted Puffins, anyone?), then out of Half Moon Bay, Monterey Bay, and Moro Bay for the rest of the pelagic trips.

For additional Monterey Bay trips, you can check out dates from Monterey Seabirds, run by Monterey Bay Whale Watch in the Monterey Harbor, for more trips in Monterey Bay specifically. These trips go out nearly every weekend from August through October, the height of pelagic bird season on the central coast. See you on the water!

Record Donations Given Through MC Gives! Fundraiser in 2023

The 2023 Monterey County Gives! fundraising campaign organized by the Community Foundation For Monterey County concluded on December 31, 2023 at midnight. Our Treasurer got the final check in the mail last week and the final tally was $41,550, more than double what we raised in 2022! Thank you to everyone who donated to the campaign.

This is such a big help for our small nonprofit, and will help ensure that we have paid staff, stay engaged with local conservation issues, continue to offer numerous free birding field trips, and consistently bring you the birding news and knowledge that you've come to appreciate. Please stop by one of our monthly public presentations or at our outreach booth at farmers markets and say hello! At the very least, I can give you a sticker. 😁