2006 Whale Sightings: Farallon Islands

WEEKEND OF November 4-5, 2006

Trip Report:

Saturday's trip highlights: white sharks, humpback whales, 30 species of birds

Naturalist Juan Carlos Solis aboard Huli Cat described the day's trip as one big feeding event. In an area of approximately half a football field, Dall's porpoise, Humpback whales, Pacific white-sided dolphins, sea lions and seabirds were all found actively feeding in the same area. In addition, two common dolphins were also spotted along the periphery of the group. Ten to twelve whales blows were spotted, and 8 humpback whales were seen approximately 20 yards from the boat. In addition to observing the whale feeding behavior, passengers were also delighted to witness several dramatic whale breaches. Another hightlight occured while the vessel was in idle, at one time, approximately 20 Pacific white-dolphins surrounded the vessel including several cow/calf pairs.

After leaving the feeding aggregation, the vessel came upon a white shark feeding on a freshly killed seal. Everyone aboard the vessel was able to observe the shark for five to seven minutes before it disappeared. Although not witnessed by our vessel, several shark attacks were reported that day by Farallon island biologists.

Birders on the trip where delighted to see a Flesh-footed shearwater and a brown booby at Sugar Loaf. Other bird sightings included: Red-throated loon, Pacific loon, and Common loon, Western grebe, Clark's grebe, Buller's shearwater, Sooty shearwater, Pink-footed shearwater, Brown pelican, Double-cested cormorant, Brandt's cormorant, Pelagic cormorant, Surf scoter, Parasitic jaeger, Pomarine jaeger, Western gull, California gull, Mew gull, Ring-billed gull, Herring gull, Glaucous-winged gull, Caspian tern, Elegant tern, Common murre, Rhinoceros auklet, Cassin's auklet, Peregrine falcon and Tufted puffins.

Sunday's trip: Naturalist Eric Lichtwardt aboard Salty Lady reported sighting a group of 20 Pacific white-sided dolphins, 4 harbor porpoise and 3 Northern right whale dolphins, plus approximately 100 California sea lions. Bird sightings included: Common loon, Eared grebe, Western grebe, 500-600 Brown pelican, 100 Double-cested cormorant, 200 Brandt's cormorant, 45 Heermann's gull, 75 Western gull, Common murre, and Tufted puffin.

WEEKEND OF October 28-29, 06

Trip Report:

Saturday's trip: An unusually calm and beautiful sunny day was enjoyed by the all aboard the Salty Lady. Our naturalist reported a fabulous day of cetacean sightings including 3 humpback whales, 700-800 Risso's dolphins, 30-40 Pacific white-sided dolphins plus 5-6 Northern right whale dolphins. Bird sightings included: Western grebe, Clark's grebe, American White pelican, Northern Fulmar, Brandt's cormorant, Pelagic cormorant, Pink-footed shearwater, Buller's shearwater, Western gull, and Common murre.

Our second trip aboard Huli Cat enjoyed great looks of Steller sea lions at the Southeast Farallon. While cruising to North Farallon a pod of Risso's dolphins and an unidentified whale, probably a minke, were spotted. Bird sightings included: Western grebe, Brown pelican, Double-cested cormorant, Brandt's cormorant, Pelagic cormorant, Sotty shearwater, Northern fulmar, Heermann's gull, California gull, Common murre, and Tufted puffin. A second sighting of Risso's dolphins was enjoyed on the return trip to the marina. Other sightings included brief looks at harbor porpoise and good looks at two ocean sunfish.

Sunday's trip: Naturalist Susan Sherman aboard Salty Lady reports sighting a total of 14 humpback whales some approaching the boat within 50 feet. All whales were observed traveling slowly with good looks at backs, dorsals and flukes. One animal breached to the delight of everyone on board. Other cetaceam hightlights included: 200-300 Risso's dolphins, 100 Northern right whale dolphins, 50 Pacific white-sided dolphins and 15 Harbor porpoise. The Risso's and right whale dolphins approached along side the boat offering excellent good looks to all on board. Other marine mammal sightings includrf Northern fur seal, California sea lions, Steller sea lions and harbor seals. A hightlight of the trip was the occurence of Pomarine jaeger's close to the boat. Other bird sightings included: Eared grebe, Brown pelican, Double-cested cormorant, Brandt's cormorant, Pelagic cormorant, Black oystercatcher, Northern fulmaar, Sotty shearwater, Buller's shearwater, Heermann's gull, Ring-billed gull, Western gull, Glaucous-winged gull, Elegent tern, Common murre, Cassin's auklet, Pigeon guillemot, Rhinoceros auklet, and Tufted puffin. . Also seen were a Peregrine falcon on Saddlerock and a Brown booby was sighted at Sugarloaf Rock.

WEEKEND OF October 21-22, 06

Trip Report:

Saturday's trip: Naturalist Ginger Parish aboard Huli Cat reports sighting a total of 5 humpback whales The first three whales were spotted with 3 miles of Southeast Farallon Island. The second group was seen traveling further south of the islands. Two of the whales approached our boat to approximately 75-feet. One animal breached to the delight of whale watchers. Other marine mamamal sightings included harbor porpoise, California sea lion, Steller sea lion, and Northern fur seal. Participants were also treated to a sunfish sighting. Bird sightings included: Buller's shearwater, Pink-footed shearwater, Black-vented shearwater (large numbers), Double-cested cormorant, Brandt's cormorant, Pelagic cormorant, Western gull, California gull, Common murre, and Common tern.

Sunday's trip: Naturalist Susan Sherman aboard Salty Lady reports sighting a total of 6 humpback whales. One pair appeared to include a one/two year old calf. All whales were observed traveling slowly with good looks at backs, dorsals and flukes. Other marine mammal sightings included harbor porpoise, Northern fur seal, California sea lions, Steller sea lions and harbor seals. Bird sightings included: Eared grebe, Brown pelican, Double-cested cormorant, Brandt's cormorant, Pelagic cormorant, Black oystercatcher, Brown pelican, Surf scoter, Sotty shearwater, Heermann's gull, Ring-billed gull, Western gull, Elegant tern, Common murre, Cassin's auklet, and Pigeon guillemot. Aslo, a Brown booby was sighted at Sugarloaf Rock.

WEEKEND OF October 14-15, 06

Trip Report:

Saturday's trip: Naturalist Gail Broesder aboard Huli Cat reports sighting 2 separate groups of humpback whales The first two whales were spotted just north of the islands. Out at the Continental Shelf, 10 Risso's dolphins were sighted in additon to Dall's porpoise. On the return, five humbacks were spotted 12 miles S.E. of the islands. The marine mammal hightlight of the trip was observing one whale breach 17 times. Pinniped sightings included: California sea lion, Steller sea lion, Harbor seal and Northern fur seal. Participants were also treated to a sunfish sighting. Bird sightings included: Sooty shearwater, Pink-footed shearwater, Double-cested cormorant, Brandt's cormorant, Pelagic cormorant, Red-necked phalarope, Red phalarope, Parasitic jaeger, Western gull, California gull, Common murre, Cassin's auklet, Rhinoceros auklet, and Black-footed albatross.

Sunday's trip: Naturalist Juan Carlos Solis aboard Salty Lady also reported two groups of humpback whales. Whale waterchers first enjoyed watching 5 feeding humpback whales no more than 50 yards from our stationary vessel. The second highlight included observing 2 whales for over half an hour in a variety of behavior including breaching 30-40 feet from the boat. Excellent views of Pacific white-sided dolphins who came to ride the boat's bow wave. Other marine mammal sightings included harbor porpoise, California sea lions, Steller sea lions and harbor seals. Good looks at an ocean sunfish was also reported. Bird sightings included: Pacific loon, Eared grebe, Western grebe, Brown pelican, Double-cested cormorant, Brandt's cormorant, Pelagic cormorant, Canada goose, Black oystercatcher, Pomarine jaeger, Parasitic jaeger, Heermann's gull, Mew gull, Ring-billed gull, Glaucous-winged gull, Western gull, Elegant tern, Common murre, Cassin's auklet, Rhinoceros auklet and Tufted puffin.

WEEKEND OF September 2-3, 06

Trip Report:

Four Boats Departed over Labor Day Week-end -- The first blue whale of the season was reported by naturalist Susan Sherman, as well as consistent sightings of humpback whales on every trip, plus four orcas.

Saturday's trips: Naturalist Susan Sherman aboard Captain Joey reports sighting 12-15 groups of 2-3 humpback whales feeding on anchovies and sardines. Whale watchers were treated to behaviors such as breaching and flipper slapping. Another hightlight was the first blue of the season sighting. Also sighted were 30 Risso's dolphins and 20 harbor porpoises. Pinniped sightings included: Californai sea lion, Steller sea lion, Harbor seal and Northern fur seal with pups. Participants were also treated to a sunfish sighting. Bird sightings included: Northern fulmar, Sooty shearwater, Pink-footed shearwater, Double-cested cormorant, Brandt's cormorant, Pelagic cormorant, Black oystercatcher, Red-necked phalarope, Red phalarope, Parasitic jaeger, Heermann's gull, Ring-billed gull, Western gull, Caspian tern, Elegant tern, Common murre, Pigeon guillemot, Cassin's auklet, Rhinoceros auklet, Tufted puffin. Exceptional bird sightings included: Fork-tailed shorm-petrel, Fuller's shearwater, and South Polar skua.

Naturlist Eric Lichtwardt aboard Huli Cat on a separate boat reports 25 sightings of humpback whales and 75 harbor porpoises. Most of the whales were engaged in lunge feeding. Pinnipeds included 1000's of California sea lion plus Northern elephant seals and harbor seals. Bird sightings included: 100's of sooty shearwaters, 25 pink-footed shearwaters, 500 brown pelicans, 100's Brandt's cormorants, 35 elegant terns, 200+ common murres, auklets and puffins.

Naturalist Roger Harris aboard Salty Lady reports 26 total humpback whale sightings. To the dilight of whale waterchers, four humpacks approached our idling vessel within 10 feet offering grat looks of lunge feeding. Other marine mammal sightings included 30 harbor porpoise, California sea lions and harbor seals. Great looks at an ocean sunfish was also reported. Bird sightings included: Sooty shearwater, Pink-footed shearwater, Brown pelican, Double-cested cormorant, Brandt's cormorant, Pelagic cormorant, Black oystercatcher, Red-necked phalarope, Parasitic jaeger, Heermann's gull, Western gull, Caspian tern, Elegant tern, Foster's tern, Common murre, Pigeon guillemot, Cassin's auklet and Rhinoceros auklet. Participants also enjoyed great looks at 9 tufted puffins.

Sunday: Highlights on Sunday's trip included sightings of 4 orcas and 3 humpback whales. In addition the pinniped sightings at the islands, naturalist Nicole Kleinsinger also reported 6 Black-footed albatross plus the standard seabird sightings reported for Saturday's trips.

On Sunday, naturalists on our two boats reported sightings of over 50 harbor poises under the Golden Gate Bridge, and 27 humpbacks sightings near the Farallones. Thirty minutes were spent with four whale deep dive feeding, and another 30 minutes with three whales which appeared to be lunge feeding. Whale watchers sighted many whales simply traveling, often close tour our idling boats. Other sightings included up to a dozen Risso's dolphins, a single minke whale, California sea lions, Steller sea lions, northern elephant seals, and harbor seals. Bird sightings included fulmers, shearwaters, pelicans, cormorants, oystercatchers, phalaropes, jaegers, gulls, terns, murres, guillemots, auklets, and puffins.

WEEKEND OF August 26-27, 2006

Trip Report:

Naturalist Juan Carols Solis reports that Saturday's trip began with sightings of over 100 harbor porpoises near or under the Golden Gate Bridge; some of the females were accompanied by their calves. Southeast of the Farallon Islands we sighted a whale with a fishnet scar just about 2-3 feet behind the blowholes. This whale stayed with the boat for over a half an hour displaying a behavior known as lunge-feeding where the whale comes partially out of the water, head-first out with water streaming out of the whales jaws. At one time, this whale came within 20 yards of our stationary boat offering excellent views to all on board. We also had excellent sightings of 12 Risso's dolphins, plus over 1,000 California sea lions, 3 Steller sea lions, 4 northern elephant seals, and a harbor porpoise. Bird sightings included shearwaters, storm petrels, brown pelicans, cormorants, scoters, oystercatchers, phalaropes, jaegers, gulls, terns, murres, auklets and puffins. Other highlights included an observation of a Parasitic Jaeger chasing elegant terns, and wonderufl looks at tufted puffins and rhinocerous auklets.

On Sunday, naturalists on our two boats reported sightings of over 50 harbor poises under the Golden Gate Bridge, and 27 humpbacks sightings near the Farallones. Thirty minutes were spent with four whale deep dive feeding, and another 30 minutes with three whales which appeared to be lunge feeding. Whale watchers sighted many whales simply traveling, often close tour our idling boats. Other sightings included up to a dozen Risso's dolphins, a single minke whale, California sea lions, Steller sea lions, northern elephant seals, and harbor seals. Bird sightings included fulmers, shearwaters, pelicans, cormorants, oystercatchers, phalaropes, jaegers, gulls, terns, murres, guillemots, auklets, and puffins.

WEEKEND OF August 5-6, 2006

Trip Report:

Saturdays's trip first encountered over 50 harbor porpoises just outside the Golden Gate. Then, 5 to 6 miles southwest of the Farallon Islands we came upon a group of seven or eight humpback wales feeding on bait fish. . We then sighted another smaller group 3 to 4 of humpbacks feeding; one whale raised its tail and slapped the water. As we headed back, we sighted a group of about 10 Risso's dolphins that stayed with us for nearly 20 minutes, then a group of about 8 Pacific-whitesided dolphins that rode our bow wave for about 4 miles. We also encountered Steller sea lions and harbor seals on this trip. Bird sightings included fulmars, shearwaters, pelicans, cormorants, oystercatchers, phalaropes, gulls, terns, murres, auklets and tufted puffins.

Naturalists on Sunday's trips found another group of up to 50 harbor porpoises just outside the Golden Gate. Approaching the Farallones, a pair of humpbacks were feeding on baitfish 5 miles east of the islands. We then came to a spot 4 miles NW of the Farallones where humpbacks were sighted in all directions, slapping their flukes and flippers and breaching from the water. At least 100 California sea lions were feeding among these whales. We also sighted harbor seals, northern elephant seals, and Steller sea lions. Bird sightings included fulmars, shearwaters, pelicans, cormorants, oystercatchers, phalaropes, gulls, terns, murres, guillemots, auklets, and tufted puffins.

WEEKEND OF July 22-23, 2006

Trip Report:

Saturday, July 22, 2006. Beautiful weather and calm seas set the stage for our cruise to the Farallon Islands and Continental Shelf. Naturalist Eric Lichtwald reports that this was one of his best trips ever including wonderful views of 18-20 humpback whales, some approaching quite close to our vessel. Whale Watchers were also treated to prologned looks of 12-15 Risso's dolphins and a gray whale in Fisherman's Cove. Rounding out the marine mammal sightings were over a thousand California sea lions, Stellar sea lion, Northern elephant seal, harbor seal, and approximately 25 harbor porpoise.

Bird species sighted included: Black-footed albatross, Pink-footed Shearwater, Brown Pelican, Sooty Shearwater, Brandt's and Pelagic Cormorant, Pomarine Jaeger, Western Gull, Common Murre, Cassin's Auklet, Rhinoceros Auklet, Pigeon Guillemot, and Tufted Puffin.

Sunday, July 23, 2006. At least 27 humpback whales were sighted on Sundays trip with 16 whales surrounding the boat at one time, within a mile distance. Naturalist Juan Carlos Solis reported whales feeding within 20 feet of our stationary vessel. At one time, the whales were gorging on a giant school of baitfish, at times working cooperatively to maximize their take. One whale breached within 20 yards of our boat -- close enough to have some of the whale watchers move back from the railing expecting to be splashed. All the sighted animals where adults with the exception of one cow/calf pair. Other cetaceans include a juvenile gray whale, 30 harbor porpoise and 20-30 Dall's porpoise. At the islands, visitors received good looks at California and Steller's sea lions

Other sightings on this trip included the following bird species: Pink-footed Shearwater, Brown Pelican, Sooty Shearwater, Double-crested, Brandt's and Pelagic Cormorant, Black Oystercatcher, Red-necked Phalarope, Heerman's, California and Western Gull, Caspian Tern, Common Murre, Cassin's Auklet, Rhinoceros Auklet, Pigeon Guillemot, Tufted Puffin and one juvenile Black-footed aAbatross flying close to the boat.

WEEKEND OF July 15-16, 2006

Trip Report: Saturday July 15, 2006. A wildlife spectacle -- blue shark, gray whales, humpback whales and a pod of killer whales. Our first encounter was over 16 harbor porpoises near the Golden Gate Bridge. Near the islands, we sighted a lone gray whale that raised its flukes several times and blew often, but seemed skittish enough for us to move on. Just west of the islands we sighted our first humpbacks, a group of two,. Then, just past the Continental Shelf, we sighted two more that came close to the boat and then fluked. Shortly after that we sighted 6 to 8 killer whales that approached within 100 feet of the boat. They stayed with us for about ten minutes, then, shortly after they disappeared, we sighted two more humpback whales as we headed back to San Francisco.

Other sightings on this trip included blue shark and the following bird species: Laysan Albatross, Pink-footed Shearwater, Brown Pelican, Sooty Shearwater, Double-crested, Brandt's and Pelagic Cormorant, Black oystercatcher, Heerman's and Western gull, Caspian Tern, Common Murre, Cassin's Auklet, Rhinoceros Auklet, Pigeon Guillemot. Excellent views of tufted puffins.

WEEKEND OF June 24-25, 2006

Trip Report: Sunday, June 25, 2006. Naturalist Gail Broesder's log. "An amazing trip: calm seas, great diversity of marine mammals, at least 10 Black-footed Albatross, and more murres on the island than I've ever seen."

Our Farallon Islands trip encountered 7-8 harbor porpoises just outside the Golden Gate Bridge and another 8-9 sightings before the trip ended. The calm sea conditions allowed us to journey not only to the Farallones, but further West to the Continental Shelf, and then a southern track back to San Francisco. Throughout the cruise we came upon huge schools of bait fish at the surface with fish leaping clear out of the water. At least 30 humpback whales were sighted; some actively feeding. Another hightlight was close encounters with a mixed herd of Pacific-white sided, northern right whale, and Risso's dolphins. One Risso's leaped 8 times in a row - to everyone's delight.

At the islands we observed over 1,500 California sea lions, Northern Steller sea lion and harbor seals. Over 2000 common murres were logged, plus pigeon guillemots, Cassin's auklet, Sooty shearwaters, Least tern, Tufted puffins, California and Western Gull, Pink-footed shearwater, Brandt's and Pelagic cormorant, and Black-footed albatross.

WEEKEND OF June 10-11, 2006

Trip Report: Saturday, June 10. Our Farallon Islands trip first encountered 2 to 3 harbor porpoises near the Golden Gate Bridge. As we approached the Farallons, we sighted and stayed with 5 to 6 humpback whales that were feeding on the surface.

At the islands we observed over 1,500 California sea lions, at least 1 Steller sea lion and a harbor seal. Over 2000 common murres were logged, more than 100 pigeon guillemots, 150 sooty shearwaters, as well as wonderful sightings of rhinocerous auklets, tufted puffins, gulls, shearwaters, Brandt's and pelagic cormorants, and brown pelicans. We were also fortunate to see a Black-footed albatross.

Naturalist Eric Lichtwald summarized that the trip's hightlights were watching the humpbacks and tufted puffins and observing large numbers of birds on the islands.

Please note that our trips for June 17and 18 were cancelled due to unsual high offshore winds.

WEEKEND OF June 3-4, 2006

Trip Report: Saturday, June 3., Just outside the Golden Gate, naturalist Roger Harris sighted a group of harbor porpoise. Then the vessel encountered the first of the 15 humpback whales we would ultimately see in groups of three to five. All on board were treated to spectacular close up views of the humpbacks lunge feeding on balls of anchovies. Ventral grooves allow the whale's throat to expand greatly and tak in large volumes of water which are then forced out across the baleen which retains the food. Whales will lunge out of the water with their jaws wide open to engulf their prey. Several of the whales breached close to the boat and at one point there seemed to be whale blows in many directions.

We also sighted California sea lions, northern elephant seals, and harbor seals. Bird sightings included shearwaters, brown pelicans, cormorants, oystercatchers, western gulls, common murres, pigeon guillemots, Cassin's auklets, rhinoceros auklets, and close-up views of puffins next to the boat at Fishermen's Bay.

The trip also benefited from the expertise of Bill Sydemann who is head of marine research for Point Reyes Bird Observatory. PRBO conducts numerous studies on the wildlife of the islands through a cooperative agreement. with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The nonprofit Oceanic Society serves as a partner to the Farallon National Wildlife Refuge and provides logistical support for scientific research personnel traveling to and from the field station on Southeast Farallon Island. In addition, our boats provide a sea platform for International Bird Rescue and other wildlife rehabilitation centers. All OS proceeds from Farallon programs are applied to conservation research and education.

WEEKEND OF May 20-21, 2006

Trip Report: Welcome to the Oceanic Society's Sightings Whale Watch Hotline for Saturday, May 20.

Our first Farallon Islands trip of 2006 found calm seas and incredible marine mammal sightings. We first encountered harbor porpoises just under the Golden Gate Bridge. Then, three miles southeast of the Farallones we sighted and spent some time with 2 humpback whales, and then encountered 3 more, including a calf. We spent at least half the trip with these whales, watching them breach, lobtail, throw their tail in the air, and spyhop.

We also encountered a number of California sea lions and at least one male Steller's sea lion. Bird sightings included western gulls, Bonaparte's gulls, Caspian terns, brown pelicans, Brandt's pelagic, and double-breasted cormorants, common loons, common murres, pigeon guillemots, Cassin's auklets, sooty shearwaters, and black oystercatchers.