Tweets --

Bob Boekelheide, in response to a report provided by Jerry Converse, wrote:

>Alright, Jerry, is this a test to see whether we read your whole story
>about birding in western Washington? In the body of your report you wrote:
>
>>At Port Townsend--before we got on the boat we saw a WHISKERED AUKLET
>>right in the opening to the Hudson Point Marina.
>
>Are you sure? If so, there might be a *few* people interested in seeing
>this bird. Could this have really been a rhinoceros auklet? If it is a
>Whiskered, it is the first ever for Washington.

I confess that I had the same reaction. Most Rhinoceros Auklets are now
sporting full breeding dress, which means not only the famous "horn" but
two spikey white plumes on either side of the face. From the front this
combination can look strikingly reminiscent of pictures of Whiskered
Auklets -- and is much more spectacular than any photo or illustration I've
ever seen representing a Rhino. Most illustrations make the plumes look
droopy, but at least at this time of year they can protrude rather stiffly
and at an angle out from the head. Also, rhinos have become a more common
and dominant part of the avifauna in this area in the last few weeks, in
anticipation of the breeding season -- I believe Protection Island hosts
the largest colony in the Lower 48, and is only minutes away from Port
Townsend as the alcid buzzes. I admit I have never seen a Whiskered Auklet,
but have seen tons of rhinos. How large was the bird? Was it blackish/gray
or brown? If this truly was a Whiskered, this is one Port Townsend birder
who would love to put in on her lifelist and town list!!! Thanks for any
further details you might provide.

-- Janet Hardin
Port Townsend, WA
wings at olympus.net