SEABIRDS AND BIRD WATCHING

The Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary justly deserves its reputation as an excellent place to see whales, dolphins, porpoises, seals, sea lions, white sharks and other marine life. The Farallon Islands also support the largest breeding colony of seabirds in the continental United States. Breeding seabirds include; Leach's Storm Petrel, Ashy Storm Petrel, Double-crested Cormorant, Brandt's Cormorant, Pelagic Cormorant, Western Gull, Tufted Puffin, Rhinoceros Auklet, Cassin's Auklet, Pigeon Guillemot and Common Murre. Many, but not necessarily all, of these birds can be seen on an average trip to the Gulf of The Farallones during the period from May through August.

The islands lie close to the edge of the continental shelf. The Upwelling process that occurs here brings nutrients and oxygen rich water close to the surface, fueling a rich food chain that is responsible for large numbers of marine mammals and birds. The high level of marine productivity attracts other species in addition to the breeding ones. Visitors from the Southern Hemisphere include: Sooty, Short-tailed, Flesh-footed, Pink-footed and Bullers Shearwaters and South Polar Skua. Black-vented Shearwater, Elegant Tern, Xantus and Craveris Murrelet are species breeding in Mexico that occasionally are seen in the Gulf of the Farallones.

These rich waters are also the destination or migratory stop for birds that breed further north or west of the California coast. These species include: Northern Fulmar, Black-footed and Laysan Albatross, Fork-tailed Storm Petrel, Red and Red-necked Phalarope, Sabines Gull, Arctic Tern, Parasitic, Pomarine and Long-tailed Jaeger.

On any day at the Gulf of the Farallones, other birds such as loons, grebes, scoters, alcids, gulls or terns can be seen. Rarities such as boobies, petrels and tropicbirds have flown by lucky birdwatchers on occasion. However, visitors should remember that varying weather and sea conditions mean that the number and variety of birds will always change from one visit to another. The motion of the boat, fog and sea spray can make viewing seabirds a challenging, but wonderfully satisfying activity. Undoubtedly it will be easier to see an albatross with a seven-foot wingspan than a small storm petrel flying away from the boat. There are few guarantees after leaving the dock, but having a sense of adventure should be part of any cruise.

Birds we see in the Gulf of the Farallones include:

From time to time we will offer trips to the Farallones especially for birdwatchers. Aboard these trips will be a naturalist with expertise regarding seabirds of the region. These trips have been a big hit with photographers too. We also can arrange a private charter for your bird watching club or group; call us for pricing, 415-331-6267.

BIRDWATCHING WEB SITES AND LINKS:

The photographs on this page are not all specifically from the Farallon Islands, but are birds from around the Bay Area and have been spotted from various trips on the bay. The egret pictures are from a small private charter to see the egret rookery in Northern Marin.