Subject: Re: Ancient Murrelet
Date: Oct 4 02:02:04 1997
From: Bluejay970 at aol.com - Bluejay970 at aol.com


I have seen this species twice when one individual was feeding briefly near
shore before heading off to places unknown. I have read that it is typically
a deeper water species which is almost never encountered singly, but in pairs
or small parties (congeneric Xantus' and Craveri's is likewise found in
similar situations). Ancient Murrelets are usually not reported in Puget
Sound until late in October, with good numbers in November, and then they
disappear by the end of the year (moving to the open ocean?).

Marbled Murrelet is the near shore rip-tide specialist in WA state and
elsewhere, and is the species I see most regularly very close to shore, along
with Rhinoceros Auklet, and to a lesser extent, Common Murre. Apparently
Ancient Murrelet will also utilize near shore rip zones as well. Have other
birders in the state had similar experiences with this species?

Alan Knue
bluejay970 at aol.com