In Oregon, Ancient Murrelets are regularly encountered near shore between
October and March. They are generally beyond the breakers and more easily
seen from headlands, but the Bandon CBC had 1000 seen (mostly) from the
jetty. Boiler Bay viewpoint is the most reliable place in Oregon to go
see Ancients.

They are usually seen in small, closely associated groups and behave like
ocean going shorebirds. They dive together they lift off the ocean together.
they swirl around in tight flocks and they're flighty in the same way
shorebirds are. They are fascinating to watch and the group behavior is
a useful first indicator that you've come across a flock of Ancient Murrelets.



--
********************************* I am but mad north-north-west;
* Mike Patterson, Astoria, OR * when the wind is southerly,
* mpatters at orednet.org * I know a hawk from a handsaw.
http://www.pacifier.com/~mpatters -ws