This is probably one of *the* most depressing things I've ever read.

-----Original Message-----
From: TWEETERS-owner at u.washington.edu
[mailto:TWEETERS-owner at u.washington.edu] On Behalf Of Jon. Anderson and
Marty Chaney
Sent: Tuesday, August 24, 1999 11:32 AM
To: 'tweeters at u.washington.edu'
Subject: Re: Common Murre Die-off

Hi folks,

Regarding the annual die-off of murre chicks is evident to beach walkers, I
cannot remember a year of good murre chick production that is not attended
by this die-off. El Nino years, La Nina years or any years in-between.
August is often the time that the "Spring/Summer" upwelling begins to shut
down, warm water comes near the shore, and the murre's prey species leave,
die, or scatter. The fledgling murre follows 'Dad' until, starving and
weakened, it washes through the surf to die alone on the beach, and is
ultimately scavenged by the Western/Glaucous-winged gulls and *their*
fledglings.

Jon. Anderson
Olympia, Washington
festuca at olywa.net