4 Nights/5 Days

Dr. Alan Burger and Dr. Geoff Hammerson
A Seabird Workshop Aboard the M/V SeaWolf

Seabirds live at the mercy of wind and wave—as the sea goes, storm-ridden or serene, so must they. Their survival is inextricably linked to the sea’s many moods, its ecological health, and biological productivity. The unique biology of seabirds—a group of species that includes the gulls, fulmars, auklets, puffins, murrelets, guillemots, murres, petrels, shearwaters, albatrosses, loons, and many species of sea ducks—makes them especially vulnerable to the impacts of global warming, marine pollution, oil spills, declining fish populations, commercial fishing bycatch, habitat loss or degradation, and changes in the rich plankton soup that forms the basis for the entire marine food chain.

Our seabird workshop, one of series to be held aboard the classic M/V SeaWolf and co-hosted with Sea Wolf Adventures, our Conservation Partner, will spend four days exploring the San Juan Islands and the region of Samish and Padilla Bays. Many species of seabirds and shorebirds winter in large numbers here, attracted by foodrich tidal rips between the islands and by the highly-productive waters of the estuaries that dot the coast. Dr. Burger and a team of seabird biologists will join us aboard the M/V SeaWolf for lectures on seabird biology and behavior, as well as on the environmental issues that challenge seabird survival throughout the world. We should have excellent looks at rhinocerous auklets (once called “sea quail”), both marbled and ancient murrelets (“fog larks”), common murres, pigeon guillemots, harlequin ducks, scoters, cormorants, and many other species—our observations continually enriched by our onboard experts. Night will find us in a cozy anchorage amongst the islands, continuing our discussions while we savor a fine dinner and a glass of wine.

Pigeon Guillemot , photo Larry Master

Price: $895 ($200 deposit)

Group Size: 12 Trip Rating: 2 (Accessible)

Price Includes: 3 nights and 4 days aboard the M/V SeaWolf, all meals, staterooms with private facilities, all instruction and instructional materials, and the use of a motorized inflatible. This workshop begins and ends in Bellingham, WA.