Pelagic Birding

Copyrighted photo courtesy of Dan Burk
Brown Pelican: Symbol of the Central Coast Birding Trail

Pink-footed Shearwater
Copyrighted Photo courtesy of:  
Don Des Jardin

Central Coast Pelagics 

 There are twenty-one pelagic specialty birds of the Pacific Rim that may be encountered on the regularly scheduled trips from Ventura, Santa Barbara and Monterey. Additional trips are occasionally organized out of Morro Bay. Trips out of both Ventura and Santa Barbara most often ply the waters around the Channel Islands, a national park and marine sanctuary. [Note to County listers: Wherever you depart from for the Channel Islands, Anacapa Island is in Ventura Co. while Santa Cruz, Santa Rosa and San Miguel are in Santa Barbara Co.] Occasional deepwater trips are made beyond the islands to Arguello Canyon and the Santa Lucia Escarpment or toward the Cherry, Tanner and Cortez Banks. Monterey trips most often explore the nearshore waters of the Monterey Submarine Canyon, a deepwater chasm that is very rich in the nutrients that attract numerous species of seabirds and mammals. Occasional deepwater trips are made from Monterey to the Davidson Seamount.

Tufted Puffin
Copyrighted Photo courtesy of:
  Peter La Tourrette

Pelagic Trip Outfitters

Condor Cruises

Island Packers

Monterey Seabirds

Truth Aquatics

Shearwater Journeys

More Pelagic Birding Information

Mitch's Miscellaneous Matters 

Channel Islands National Park

Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary

More on Monterey Bay

Central Coast Pelagic Specialty List 

The Pelagic Specialty birds in the following table may be seen offshore in the central coast counties, as indicated.  The best way to find them is to schedule a pelagic trip, which you may do with one of our local trip outfitters.  Lots of information is available online.  A few good links are provided to help you start your search.

[Deepwater in winter, more easily found on trips from Monterey]  

[May-July are the best months from Monterey, deepwater from Ventura and Santa Barbara]

[Deepwater in spring (rare)]  

[Deepwater during spring and summer, closer to its territorial waters from Ventura and Santa Barbara (rare)] 

[April - November from Ventura & Santa Barbara, August - November from Monterey] 

[Uncommon from Monterey, August - November; rare from Ventura & Santa Barbara]

[August - October from Monterey, September - October from Ventura & Santa Barbara]

[Winter]

[Late fall & winter, frequently seen from shore]

[Deepwater from Monterey in winter, accidental from Ventura & Santa Barbara]

[April - November from Ventura & Santa Barbara, August - November from Monterey]

[April - November from Ventura & Santa Barbara, August - October from Monterey]

[August - October from Ventura & Santa Barbara, September [during warmer water years] from Monterey]

[July - September from Ventura & Santa Barbara, less likely seen from Monterey]

[Year round but scarce in fall & winter from Monterey, accidental from Ventura & Santa Barbara]

[February - August from Ventura & Santa Barbara, late summer & fall from Monterey]

[Late summer & fall from Ventura & Santa Barbara, fall (during warmer water years) from Monterey]

[Winter (rare from Ventura & Santa Barbara)]

[Fall - spring from Ventura & Santa Barbara, fall from Monterey]

[Fall & winter]

[Any season, but scarce from Monterey, accidental and well offshore from Ventura & Santa Barbara]