Exact start and end times TBA.
Bodega Canyon/Cordell Banks Pelagic Birding aboard the New Sea Angler out of Bodega Harbor in a time of Covid-19:
The birds offshore need our attention, if only to verify their continued existence. To that end two dates have been reserved this fall for offshore birding trips from Bodega Harbor aboard the 65-foot New Sea Angler with Captain Rick Powers, two Sundays, the first, August 30, and the second, September 27, peak times for offshore migrants and whales encounters. The standard route departs Bodega Harbor heading west to Bodega Canyon and the continental shelf, then turning south and east across the Cordell Banks. We will all be careful to meet Sonoma County Health Department requirements to assure a safe trip (details below).
What might we see? We should expect to encounter the usual suspects: Black-footed [and maybe Laysan] Albatross, Northern Fulmar, Pink-footed, Buller’s, and Sooty Shearwaters, Fork-tailed and Ashy [and maybe Black, Wilson’s and/or Leach’s] Storm-Petrels. We might hope for Flesh-footed and Short-tailed Shearwaters, though they are rare and can be difficult to spot. Also likely are Sabine’s Gull, Common and Arctic Terns, South-Polar Skua, Long-tailed, Parasitic, and Pomarine Jaegers, Red-necked and Red Phalaropes, Common Murre [Pigeon Guillemot near shore], Cassin’s and Rhinoceros Auklets, and maybe a Tufted Puffin or a Scripps or Guadalupe Murrelet]. In short, you never know what might turn up. Cetaceans may be conspicuous, with numbers of Humpback and often Blue Whales [largest animal in the world] and perhaps a Fin Whale plus a variety of dolphins, porpoises, and pinnipeds.
Our Covid-19 Protocol: Captain Powers has been taking clients fishing since early June with his normal capacity reduced by approximately 50%. He has sailed with up to 20 anglers aboard. We believe that it will be possible to meet public health guidelines if we limit capacity to no more than 20 birders on board, in contrast to our maximum load of 40 of previous years. Fewer bodies aboard will also make for a much more comfortable ride. Everyone will wear an appropriate facial covering, stay out of the cabin as far as possible, and make regular use of readily available hand sanitizer.
To break even with this charter each participant will contribute $200 ($100 if a student). This adds a “Covid-19 surcharge” to the customary $150 fee, given that charter costs are fixed while paying customers are limited to 50% of normal capacity. You may reserve a spot on one or the other or both trips by sending a post-dated check for the appropriate amount (dated August 30 for trip 1 and/or September 27 for trip 2) made payable to Captain Rick Powers (Bodega Bay Sportfishing Center). Mail them to Gene Hunn at 1504 Smokey Mtn. Dr., Petaluma, CA 94954. I will hold on to them until we sail. In case of cancellation by the Captain due to Covid retrenchment or terrible weather, your check will be returned.
To assure the health and safety of participants we expect that if you have been exposed to someone who has tested positive for Covid-19 within two weeks prior to our departure date you will stay home and/or if you should experience any suspicious symptoms (these are listed at socoemergency.org) before boarding you will stay home (and your check will be refunded). Everyone must bring a mask or other appropriate face covering and wear it, whether inside or out (except when eating, drinking, or barfing!). In any case, we will need to maintain as much distance between ourselves as possible. The reduced passenger load should relieve some of the usual crowding at the rail, but we all will need to be mindful of our social distance. Stay out of the cabin as far as possible. There will be ample seating outside in the open air if you need to get off your feet. Hand sanitizer will be widely available on board, but feel free to bring your own. The crew will clean surfaces carefully.
Given the uncertain trajectory of this virus we should presume that these trips are provisional, subject to revision or cancellation, if so advised (notification via e-mail), with full refunds in case of cancellation.
Gene Hunn, Pelagic Trip coordinator (enhunn323@comcast.net; 206-450-0570).