Pelagic Birding Trip to the Oregon Coast

Following the signs to the historic bay front in Newport, OR we quickly spot our charter boat at the Newport Tradewinds. We've got our reservation, ate lightly as recommended, have cameras, binoculars and a lunch in our bags. Soon, we're all loaded onto the boat with plenty of room to either sit or walk around on deck. A crisp fresh breeze wakes up up. The crew casts off lines and soon we're chugging out toward the Perpetua Bank, a ten hour round trip. Our guide starts by pointing out the local birds -- double-crested cormorant, brown pelican, herring gull and harbor seals.

Sometimes we sit inside on the floor to get warm. Other times we run from side to side of the back deck or press through the crowd gathered at the front of our boat. During the next hours, we watch Common Murre, and Rhinoceros Auklet bob on the waves. Our guides teach us to learn the difference between how Short-tailed Shearwater, Pomarine Jaegar, Fork-tailed Storm-Petrel and Albatross fly, the latter sweeping with huge wings to soar near the waves. Many dive in our wake and we're surprised to see porpoise.

Our boats stops every hour or so for a half-hour to throw out frozen chum. Photography opportunities abound because the birds like to fly alongside the boat and come within ten yards of the back end when bird dinner is served. We spot the same Petrel with only one-fork on his tail, again and again. We sail through a spattering of rain, come out crisp and clear into sunshine and warm up, then back again slightly cool and cloudy. Sailing weather is perfect. One of our fellow traveler's can't take the 3-4' swells and suffers dreadfully so most of us keep away from him. Seawater runs over the deck as waves crash against the boatside and the subside.

You soon feel like you're walking bowlegged, bobbing along as part of the boat. The trip back returns straight to the dock, it's been a long day. Afterwards, the cold has set into our bones. We find a nice restaurant, drink hot beverages, each double our normal-sized meal and eventually stop shaking. It's an experience you never forget. I plan to go again, but next time, I'll bring my warmest coat.