Pelagic Birding off Southern California:Searching for Seabirds in the Open Ocean

The program will be delivered by avian biologist and pelagic bird expert, Dave Pereksta, who has spent hundreds of days exploring oceans around the world studying sea faring, or pelagic, birds. His extensive career includes work for the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. He has led pelagic trips off Southern California and elsewhere. He will discuss species that occur off our coast, their status and migration, and how to make the most of pelagic trips. He will also share interesting anecdotes from local trips.

Many seabirds some ashore only to breed but otherwise spend their lives foraging, traveling sometimes huge distances, and ranging around the oceans of the world. The waters of California offer an exciting mix of seabirds that are rarely if ever seen from land but can be found from the sea providing you know when, where and how to look for them. David will provide tips on how to make the most of these trips.

The talk is presented by the Santa Barbara Audubon Society, which invites members of the public to attend its programs free of charge.