[CINC] Double Dolphin 4/21

[deb4nb at aol.com]

Greetings All, 
 
Aboard the Double Dolphin 4/21/11 
 
AM Trip
Marine mammals:  Pvs, Zcs, Ers, Tts
Human mammals: 15 
 
PM Trip
Marine mammals:  Pvs, Zvs, Tts
Human mammals:  34
 
Bird species of the day:  Gps  
Lots of Pacific loons!
 
Linda Taylor (CINC class of '11) and I had a fun time aboard the DD with Capt. Michael and crew Olivia.  The AM trip was a bit rougher than the PM trip with many passengers lulled asleep on the way back.  The brief gray whale sighting on the port side of the boat was missed by us naturalists due to being distracted by all the birds!  
 
In addition to pelicans, cormorants, gulls, terns, grebes, and a lone Brant goose, there were flocks of Pacific loons zooming by.  There might have been a flock of Brants although not confirmed.   
 
Since the two UCSB students from Norway saw the grays (most likely a cow/calf pair), I got them involved in the sighting report / data collecting.  It's fun to involve passengers while explaining our "opportunistic research." 
 
Linda captured the attention of a 6 yr. boy on the PM trip, who later recited everything he learned.  We value those teachable moments!  
 
Folks aboard were from Sweden, London, Spain, Germany, some from California, two from SB.  
 
For those who want to brush up on birds or other topics, check out the links below for CINC SkyDrive Archives.  You can find archived lectures and 2011 training manual info.  There is a wonderful lecture by Joan Lentz who talks about birds and migrations.
  
http://cid-a4b2402948fa1ee1.office.live.com/documents.aspx
http://www.nps.gov/chis/supportyourpark/volunteer-schedules.htm
 

For extra bird education, the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History has two helpful "self-serve" visual screens in the Bird Hall, where you can sit and study birds at your leisure.  
 
Happy Trails and Sails,
 
Debra Herring



















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