Janet Hardin wrote:

So my question to Tweeters is this: Have any of you seen Ancient Murrelets
in late summer?

Hi Janet,

It seems as though this is about the time of year that I recall seeing the first ones for the
season.

I checked in the old standby (Jewett et al. 1953, Birds of Washington State), who listed for
this species: "STATUS. Fairly common migrant and winter resident from August 9 to May 29
on Puget Sound, Strait of Juan de Fuca, and coastwise; there is a single breeding record."...
"Brown saw an ancient murrelet with 2 young pigeon guillemots near the Millwaukee Dock,
Tacoma, August 9, 1913. The bird was not shy, permitting a close approach. It showed no
sign of breeding, either in its plumage or sexual organs."... "Suckley (1860: 287) says that
this species is seen sparingly during the summer season and that he killed a specimen on
July 18, 1856." Jewett also took a specimen from Neskowin, Oregon as early as August 12,
1928.

Hatler et al., (1978, Birds of Pacific Rim National Park) notes that "In 1972, Ancient Murrelets
suddenly appeared during the second half of July and a few remained into October."

I would guess that, after the birds are finished breeding in their Queen Charlotte Islands
"colonies', they disperse southward. In a wierd water year such as we've had again this year
(albacores near-shore, Fraser sockeye salmon migrating through Johnstone Strait, etc.), the
murrelets might well be coming south somewhat earlier than normal?

Jon. Anderson
Olympia, Washington
festuca at olywa.net