Pelagics 101
- shannonconner24
- Aug 15
- 4 min read
Pelagic Birding Season is starting. Are you ready?
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
Starting in the Monterey Harbor
Alvaro's Adventures:
Monterey and Half Moon Bay with one in San Francisco
Amanda’s Mini-Presentation: What is Pelagic Birding?
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.
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