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Western Grebe-Aechmophorus occidentalis
Fairly common in winter. One was recorded on 11-19-77 and also on 2-3-77. Two late birds were found on 3-26-77. They were not recorded on the C.B.C.s taken from 1980-1983 but found in fair numbers every year since. There is usually a small group in the harbor or near the mouth of the harbor. There were two late birds on 4-12-92. The high count is 123 in December of 1996. One early bird was seen off the Malecon on 9-29-06. None were found on an early October trip in 2000 but several were seen 10-13-00. At El Golfo there is a high count of 800 in April of 1997. These birds may have been staging at the north end of the Gulf before heading inland.
Clark's Grebe-Aechmophorus Clarkii
Uncommon in winter. They have been found in small numbers almost every year since 1989. Since they were not listed as a separate species in the past, they were probably just overlooked. The highest number we have recorded in one day has been 26 in December of 1997. They are usually in with the Western Grebe flocks that are inside or just north of the harbor. One early Clark's was at Sandy Beach 10-13-00. [RJ]
FULMAR, SHEARWATERS AND STORM-PETRELS-7
Northern Fulmar-Fulmarus glacialis
Pelagic species. There is one record for this species of two dark phase birds on March 24 1968. At El Golfo de Santa Clara, at least 6 Northern Fulmars were seen from shore on May 22, 2006. El Golfo is 80 miles NW of Puerto Penasco. More pelagic work needs to be done in the north end of the Gulf of California but this species is probably casual .
Pink-footed Shearwater-Puffinus creatopus
Pelagic species. The only records for Sonora are from boats off shore. A report from a research cruise in August and September of 1997 stated, "a few were present daily throughout the six-week tour in the upper gulf. They were found more often in the somewhat deeper water [>40 m, i.e. farther from shore] than the Sooties."[RR]. About 20 Pink-footed Shearwaters were found on a spring pelagic trip far to the south off of Kino Bay both north and south of Isla San Pedro Matir. That was on 5-15 and 5-16-01 [RT] I think there is a good chance they are a regular part of the avifauna off of Puerto Penasco and are probably uncommon.
Sooty Shearwater-Puffinus griseus
Pelagic species. Rare from shore in fall and winter. Usually seen after strong on shore winds. The records are of six birds noted on 9-19-81; three were sighted on 9-24-77. On 8-22-98 there were many Sooties seen feeding close to shore. The birds were reported as flying by at the rate of 10 per minute. After an hour of watching, an estimated 650 birds were seen. [RP] On 8-16-97 several hundred Sooty Shearwaters were found in the Colorado River Delta area because of storm related conditions. [RR] Ten were seen on 10-10-83, there are two November records, one found on 11-19-77 and eighteen were in the surf off of Puerto Penasco on 11-25-79. There is a December record of a possibly ill bird on the water behind the fish market on 12-15-95. One bird was found dead on the beach on 2-28-76. There should be spring records as well but the only one I know of is a record of 15 Sooty Shearwaters far to the south off of Kino Bay. The birds were seen both north and south of Isla San Pedro Martir on both 5-15 and 5-16-01. [RT]
Black-vented Shearwater-Puffinus opisthomelas
Pelagic species. Rare but regular from shore. This species is probably the most common of the shearwaters out in the Gulf off of Puerto Penasco. It has been found from shore after strong on shore winds. There were two recorded off of Pelican Point on the 1989 C.B.C. one in 1997 and 103 were blown close to shore for the C.B.C. in 1998. Three or four were just outside the harbor mouth on 10-3-92. One was just off the mouth of the First Estuary on 7-27-94 feeding with Black and Forster's Terns. About 9 were found on 8-22-98 off of Pelican Point. [RP] One Black-vented was found dead on the beach on 10-10-83. It is interesting that the only spring record I have is from 5-21-01 when one bird was seen from shore. (SG, NB) On 8-26-06 they were "abundant" feeding close to shore and along the surf-line. (RW) About a dozen were around on 9-13-06.
Shearwater species
A flock of an estimated 2,000 unidentified shearwaters was reported fairly close to shore on 9-24-77. Both Black-vented and Sooty Shearwaters are often found in very large numbers on the Pacific and they are the two most likely species for this sighting. Given the time of year they were probably Sooty Shearwater.
Leach's Storm-Petrel-Oceanodroma leucorhoa
Pelagic species. Two dark-rumped birds were seen north of the Puerto Penasco area in the Colorado River Delta area on 8-16-97. There were also several hundred Sooty Shearwaters in the same area. Hurricane "Ignacio" was off of Baja and a high-pressure area over Texas formed a strong wind pattern with a 40-50 knot gradient to push these birds north. This species is not known to be in the gulf and may require storm assistance to get into the area. There was a report of Leach's Storm-Petrel from Arizona in September of 1997 related to Hurricane Nora.
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