Birds of the Oceans–LCAS Program 2/25/2025

Join Zoom Meeting
https://uoregon.zoom.us/j/97632421252?pwd=KaaGLcwU0QpuVXhwsyPIjU2sxSlMOA.1

Meeting ID: 976 3242 1252      Passcode: 192137

Tim Shelmerdine is a well-known world-wide birder who has organized and led birding trips off the coast of Oregon for a decade. In this presentation, he will discuss what defines a “seabird,” while focusing on the seabirds near the Oregon coast. We’ll hear stories about the paths that led him to become a seabird enthusiast, leader, and trip organizer, along with details of experiences and adventures during three decades of pursuing this passion. Along the way, he’ll offer tips on seabird identification, along with advice on finding viewing opportunities.

Tim brings years of expertise about ocean birds that are seldom seen from shore. A retired high school Spanish teacher who lives in the Portland area, he uses his great teaching skills and sense of humor to make understanding and identifying ocean birds easier.

His birding journey started when his brother, Bill, showed an interest in birds. After taking some ocean trips off the coast of California, he became hooked on seabirds. Fascinated by the hostile environment and elegance of ocean birds, he has since spent nearly 40 years seabirding. Tim took over organizing pelagic birding trips when Greg Gillson, who he had worked for leading trips through The Bird Guide, moved to California in 2014.

In 2015, Tim started his own company, Oregon Pelagic Tours (OPT). Until now, his tours have focused on trips out of Newport and Garibaldi. In the near future, Tim is planning on expanding to include repositioning cruises. (Repositioning cruises occur when cruise lines move ships they were using for Alaska tours back to the Caribbean for tours there. These cruises are attractive to birders because they are relatively cheap, and they do not stop between Vancouver, BC, and LA.) Birders bring scopes and take over the bow of the ship as they look for pelagic birds flying by.

Although seabirds remain Tim’s main interest, he has also enjoyed birding in more than 40 countries on six continents. In 2024, he reached his goal of birding in all 50 states and is now working on seeing at least 100 species in every state.

Please join your friends at the Campbell Center (155 High Street) on Tuesday, February 25, at 7 pm. Doors open at 6:30 for some social time. A Zoom link will be available on the LCAS website one week before the event. This program will be recorded and posted on the LCAS website a few days later.