Pelagic birding California?
Go north to Oregon!
Fork-tailed Storm-Petrels are expected on nearly every pelagic trip in Oregon!
The pelagic birding in California is excellent, no doubt about it. Whether you wish tropicbirds off San Diego or flocks of storm-petrels in Monterey Bay, you have a lot of choices for pelagic trips.
Here's another choice for you: Oregon. When deciding upon a pelagic trip in the United States there are several reasons why you might pick Oregon for your pelagic trips over other possible localles. Oregon ranks 5th in number of bird species recorded, following California, Texas, Arizona, and New Mexico. The varied habitats in close proximity include ocean, coastal, rain forests, agricultural grasslands, dry forests, sage deserts, and Great Basin wetlands. Fantastic seabirds and a wonderful variety of other birds in scenic locations make Oregon a top contender for your next birding vacation. 
Marbled Murrelet
Expected every trip. Uncommon to 2 miles offshore, though usually just beyond the breakers. If seas are calm then 20-50 birds might be encountered in a couple of miles of near shore travel on typical pelagic trips. Birds usually paired. Rare breeder in inland forests, flying over land at twilight. |
Expected Oregon Pelagic Birds
Laysan Albatross (late fall-spring)
Black-footed Albatross (year-round) Northern Fulmar (early fall-spring) Pink-footed Shearwater (spring-fall) Flesh-footed Shearwater (fall) Buller's Shearwater (fall) Sooty Shearwater (spring-fall) Short-tailed Shearwater (fall-winter) Fork-tailed Storm-Petrel (spring-fall) Red Phalarope (spring, fall) Red-necked Phalarope (spring, fall) South Polar Skua (fall) Pomarine Jaeger (spring, fall) Parasitic Jaeger (spring, fall) Long-tailed Jaeger (spring, fall) Black-legged Kittiwake (fall-spring) Sabine's Gull (spring, fall) Common Tern (spring) Arctic Tern (spring, fall) Common Murre (year-round) Pigeon Guillemot (year-round) Cassin's Auklet (year-round) Marbled Murrelet (year-round) Ancient Murrelet (late fall, winter) Rhinoceros Auklet (year-round) Tufted Puffin (spring-fall) |
