(Second try on this post. First had no subject line and fractured line
feeds.
Sorry.)

Tracee Geernaert writes re: tubenoses nearshore:

<snip>

>I wonder if it was the lack of wind that sent them into the
>channels and islands (?).

To the extent that upwelling patterns can be driven by a strong wind
of a persistent direction, then yes, it is possible that wind can have
an effect on tubenose distribution. However, calm winds can not drive
upwelling so any effects must have been previous to this sighting. The
fact that most were "grounded" on the surface merely points to calm
winds since these birds are made for slipstreaming on the wind, i.e.
inducing most of their lift to stay aloft by the action of wind over
their set wings (and utilizing the eddies which occurin the sea-air
interface), rather than flapping to produce lift like most other
species. No wind == tubenoses pattering on the sea surface.

- Jack