Fall 2018 Pacific Pelagic Cruise Itinerary

19 – 23 October 2018
Leader: Rick Bowers

Day 1, October 19 – Arrive in Vancouver. Group members arrive independently at Vancouver International Airport, Vancouver, British Colombia (YVR) and transfer to our cruise ship, the Emerald Princess.  After arrival at Vancouver International Airport and clearing Customs and Immigration, make your way to the Princess Cruise desk and they will direct you to the bus that will take you to our ship.  The ship departs at 4:30pm and we will be on deck until dusk to watch for various waterbirds and possibly our first pelagics before dark. WE WILL MEET IN THE EXPLORER’S LOUNGE IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE MUSTER DRILL AND THEN TO THE APPROPRIATE SIDE OF THE SHIP TO BEGIN OUR PELAGIC ADVENTURE.

NOTE: Folks planning to arrive on October 19th, our day of departure, should insure that their flights arrive as early as possible in the morning hours. If your flight is delayed or cancelled causing you to miss our ship’s departure, joining us becomes an impossibility. You might be better served arriving in Vancouver the evening of October 18, 2018, staying at an hotel near the airport and catching their shuttle back to the airport (Or to the ship) midday the next day.

Laysan Albatross. Photo by Kim & Cindy Risen.

Day 2, October 20 – At Sea and Astoria, Oregon.  After an overnight steam south we will begin our first pelagic watch shortly after dawn.  The ship arrives in Astoria, Oregon at 11am and we will disembark for a half day of birding the coast and forests around Astoria for coastal and land birds.  The ship deaprts at 8pm and we will get a good nights rest as we prepare for our next two full days of deep water pelagic birding!

Day 3-4, October 21-22 – At Sea. Two full days are spent aboard our home for four nights, the exceedingly comfortable 951ft long cruise ship, Emerald Princess. While daily activities are up to each individual, leaders will spend the majority of the day scanning and scoping for seabirds from the forward deck of the ship for deep-water pelagic species. Group members will be able to come and go as you like for meals or breaks. We plan to eat dinner near the same time each evening so that we can have a social period together in order to review the day’s sightings, discuss ID challenges, etc.

Black-footed Albatross on Spring 2018 Pacific Pelagic Cruise. Photo by Rick Bowers ©.

Most of our time at sea will be in deep water, as much as 50 or 60 miles offshore. The ship does move steadily while at sea, so getting everyone on each bird can sometimes be a challenge. Pelagic birding is often difficult and weather can complicate matters. While scopes are not required, if you are proficient with your scope you might find it helpful. NatureScape Tours will have a scope set up at all times. With patience and a bit of luck, everyone should get good looks at most things.

Seabird possibilities at this time of year are many. Possibilities include Rhinoceros Auklet, Pigeon Guillemot, Common Murre, Black-footed Albatross, Pink-footed, Buller’s, Sooty, Short-tailed, Black-vented and Flesh-footed Shearwaters, Fork-tailed, Black, Ashy, Wilson’s and Leach’s Storm-Petrels, Mottled Petrel, Northern Fulmar, perhaps Ancient or Marbled Murrelets, Tufted Puffin, Black-legged Kittiwake, Sabine’s Gull, Pacific Loon, Arctic Tern, Red-necked and Red Phalaropes, perhaps a Scripps’s, Craveri’s or Guadalupe Murrelet and maybe a Laysan or, if exceedingly lucky, a Short-tailed Albatross!

Pink-footed Shearwater. Photo by Rick Bowers ©.

Day 5, October 23 – Arrival in Los Angeles, transfer to LAX  After breakfast, we’ll complete our off-loading procedures and say, “Good-Bye!” to the Emerald Princess. Boarding our comfortable coach bus, we’ll make the short journey to the airport in Los Angeles. Everyone departs with fond memories of our Fall Pacific Pelagic Cruise…and hopefully some great photographs as well.