A rough crossing and towering swells made this Farallon Islands pelagic trip unforgettable. From thousands of nesting seabirds to Black-footed Albatrosses and breaching Humpback Whales, it became one of my most memorable days birding offshore.

A spring pelagic trip out of Dana Point brought storm-petrels, Red-necked Phalaropes, a Brown Booby, migrating warblers resting aboard the boat, and thousands of By-the-wind Sailors drifting across calm Southern California waters.

An eight-hour LA Birders pelagic from Marina del Rey took us through Redondo Canyon, along Palos Verdes, and out to the 270 Bank. The day’s remarkable encounters included a rare Horned Puffin, a Manx Shearwater, spinning phalaropes, and a Wilson’s Warbler far offshore.

A fall pelagic trip from Dana Point took an unexpected route after an oil spill was reported off the Orange County coast. The day brought two remarkable Red-billed Tropicbirds, plenty of seabirds, and Brown Pelicans gliding through the boat’s wake.

A January pelagic trip from Dana Point took us into the Catalina Channel for a full day of seabirds, ocean views, and learning from experienced local birders. Highlights included a Black-legged Kittiwake following our wake, a rare winter Buller’s Shearwater, and Brown Pelicans playing behind the boat.

My first pelagic birding tour took us beyond the Channel Islands for twelve hours of seabirds, Brown Boobies, whales, dolphins, fog, and miles of open ocean.