97-12-16, you write:
<< ....We were on 2 pelagics out of Monterey in September
and saw thousands of Sooty Shearwaters and felt that due to the overall
darknesss of the upper wing that this was what we saw.

What is the likelihood of seeing Sooty Shearwater in the Strait of Juan
de Fuca at this time of year? Is it possible the bird was a Short-tailed
Shearwater? >>

Hello Tyler --

The odds are probably somewhat better that you may have seen a Short-tailed
Shearwater, Sooty I think being somewhat rarer now, but a few still linger on
once in awhile. From your description, it's hard to say. You mention
specifically the darkness of the "upper wing" when I'm wondering if you meant
the underwing, in which case that is diagnostic given sufficient close views
and adequate lighting that's not playing tricks, and some careful
considerations to some other things. I'm forwarding a recent discussion (my
views) about this which might help you decide.

Richard Rowlett (Pagodroma at aol.com)
47.56N, 122.13W
(Seattle/Bellevue, WA USA)