11/13/2025
The Osprey was spotted perched atop the jetty marker while several California Sea Lions barked in the water below. Less than four miles from Dana Point Harbor, a large nursery pod of about 400 Long-beaked Common Dolphin was feeding alongside a variety of seabirds including California Brown Pelicans, Cormorants, Shearwaters, various gulls, and Northern Fulmars. At first, the dolphins fed in scattered groups, but soon a sudden stampede erupted as they raced toward the coast. Eventually, most of the herd came together in a massive feeding frenzy now just 2 miles from shore, with a “birdnado” as hundreds of plunge-diving pelicans and other sea birds darted and dove just off the bow of the Ocean Adventures. It seemed the anchovies were attempting to escape the predators by taking refuge beneath our vessel as the activity continued to move quickly towards us. We returned to the harbor as the sun was setting to find a California Sea Lion had reclaimed its spot on the deck box on our dock!
Report & 📸 Laura Lopez
📸 Ernie Leal
