Celebrate the Start of the Monterey Audubon Seawatch

Description: Every winter Monterey Audubon sponsors a dedicated seawatch to count seabirds migrating past Point Pinos at the tip of the Monterey Peninsula. Due to its unique geography, Point Pinos is the premier location on the west coast to see and identify seabirds from shore. In late fall, thousands of loons, Surf Scoters and other seabirds migrate past “The Point,” flying close to shore as they try to stay over water rather than fly over land to cross the peninsula on their southward journey.

This field trip starts at the El Carmelo Cemetery where we’ll see resident woodpeckers, jays, and hummingbirds, as well as wintering sparrows and warblers that have recently returned to the area. Once we’ve seen a nice selection of landbirds we’ll walk down to the coast and make our way to Point Pinos, passing John Denver Beach and Crespi Pond along the way. We’ll see a variety of gulls and rocky shorebirds, like the range-restricted Heermann’s Gull and the iconic Black Oystercatcher. Upon arriving at the point, we’ll enjoy the same ocean view as Monterey Audubon Society’s dedicated seabird counter, Alison Vilag. We’ll have scopes to share with trip participants. Although difficult to predict on any given day, we should see a selection of loons, scoters, sea ducks, and murres. If we’re lucky, a truly pelagic bird might make an appearance, like a shearwater, jaeger, phalarope or fulmar. Although seeing all of these would be a rare and exciting day indeed, seeing one or two is possible and would be an exciting memory of the day.

Seabirds appear as studies in whites, grays, and blacks, dipping in and out of the waves. Their identification relies more on flight styles and quick impressions than on plumage details. It’s a meditative skill to be practiced and honed. If you’re ready to celebrate the start of our seawatch by starting or continuing your own journey of learning about seabirds, join us for this enjoyable and educational morning. We’ll have scopes and seasoned eyes to guide you as you experience the incredible world of seabirds.

In Addition to the Birds: 

This walk has a lot more to offer than just the birds:

• Marine mammals, including Sea Otters and possibly a cetacean.

• The recently constructed Pt Pinos Coastal Trail

• Ray Troll art on the old NOAA building 

Trip Difficulty: We’ll enjoy an easy mile of slow-paced walking on flat or slightly inclined sidewalks, smooth DG or lightly traveled roads. This is a beginner trip open to all who want to learn more about seabirds and celebrate the start of MAS’s annual seawatch.

What to wear: The weather at Pt Pinos is more like being out in the open ocean than on land in sunny Monterey. Be prepared for very cold winds, even if it is warm at your house. If the winds are up, it could be colder than you expect. Dress accordingly in layers.

Trip Leader: Monterey Audubon Society Board Member Kai Russell. Kai is an accomplished birder and artist. Follow his sightings and art on instagram at kyanocitta.

Meet: At the El Carmelo Cemetery in Pacific Grove. Free parking is available on Asilomar Avenue right outside the cemetery (here).

Facilities: Bathrooms are available at the halfway point of the walk at Crespi Pond.