Gulf of the Farallones Seabird Pro- tection Network has a video show- ing kayakers spooking sea birds off of rocks and a separate video showing what happens when sea birds are spooked (by an unknown source): www.youtube.com/user/ SeabirdProtection. More informa- tion on the Gulf of the Farallones Seabird Protection Network can be found at farallones.noaa.gov/eco/ seabird/welcome.html.


During the breeding season from April through August, the Castle Rock (Trinidad) breeding colony of murres can also be observed by web cam at users.humboldt.edu/ rgolightly/research/castle_rock. html.


Last year, six special closure areas went into effect off of Marin and San Mateo counties as the result of the enactment of rules under the Marine Life Protection Act. These closures are between Chimney Rock and the Point Reyes Lighthouse; Point Resistance and Stormy Stack on Drake’s Bay; Egg Rock off of Devil’s Slide; and two areas at the Farallone Islands. These closures were all put in place to protect breeding colonies for sea birds. See the News section of the Spring 2010 issue of Califor- nia Kayaker Magazine or the MLPA page at www.dfg.ca.gov/mlpa/ newsroommain.asp for details.


Common Murre colonies are often packed on very tight ledges. Photo by David Thyberg/Shutterstock


giving them a berth of at least 300 yards during the breeding season.


Murres, cormorants, pelicans and many other species are all a part of the wonderful experiences in na- ture that are accessible by kayak along the California coast. In suit- able ocean conditions, experienced paddlers can readily and responsibly view these birds in the water as well as the murre colonies at various lo- cations from south of Big Sur to past the Oregon border. As paddlers,


we should be mindful that when we are on the water, we are visiting the place where these birds feed, repro- duce, and complete all the necessi- ties of life. It is their home. As mindful guests in their domain, we can look forward to lasting adventures and memories that follow us when we return to our own terra firma. v


Richard Golightly is a seabird ecologist and researcher who is on the faculty of the Wildlife Department at Humboldt State University. Steve Smith is a profes- sional biologist and avid sea kayaker. Both are long-term residents of Califor- nia’s north coast and have spent many hours boating on the waters near the seabird colonies in northern California.


California Kayaker Magazine


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