Tweets,

With great weather all around, and a wind from the Northeast to keep the
chill away, at least going out, we had an excellent Pelagic with smiling
faces all around!

Birds were definitely more abundant on this January's trip as compared to
2000's. As Kittiwakes and Fulmars were in very high numbers.
Right now I'm still swaying a bit with the waves, so bear with me.
Approaching 125 degrees west, we encountered a feeding flock of
gulls/fulmars, which contained a banking LAYSAN ALBATROSS, our first
albatross for the day and definitely a good omen to come.
I threw out some chum which brought many of the gulls closer, and with at
least 3 LAYSAN ALBATROSS in view. Now with the sun shining so bright,
lighting the Olympic Mountains (which were in view the whole trip) Bruce
spots a dark Albatross coming towards us from the stern. A giant bird comes
into view, with a large bubble-gum colored bill. Everyone is very excited
at this point as cries of SHORT-TAILED ALBATROSS!!! are uttered around the
boat, as the bird approached the starboard side within about 25 yards,
without landing, giving all about a minute look. Everyone on board got a
look at the bird which was great, as we watched the giant creature fly to
the south. Unfortunately no photos or video were taken of the SHORT-TAILED
ALBATROSS, but I'm sure the vision of it will be etched in everyones minds
for a long time.

Here are the numbers:

BLACK-FOOTED ALBATROSS - 1
LAYSAN ALBATROSS - 7
SHORT-TAILED ALBATROSS - 1
NORTHERN FULMAR
LIGHT - 62
DARK - 216
SHORT-TAILED SHEARWATER - 11
DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT - 12
BRANDT'S CORMORANT - 15
PELAGIC CORMORANT - 40
LONG-TAILED DUCK - 3
SURF SCOTER - 14
WHITE-WINGED SCOTER - 8
BLACK SCOTER - 1
HARLEQUIN DUCK - 6
WESTERN GREBE - 2
POMARINE JAEGER - 1
MEW GULL - 24
HERRING GULL - 10
THAYER'S GULL - 10
GLAUCOUS-WINGED/WESTERN - 222
BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKE - 360
COMMON MURRE - 699
ANCIENT MURRELET - 18
CASSIN'S AUKLET - 90
RHINOCEROUS AUKLET - 4

STELLER'S SEA-LION - 2
GRAY WHALE - 5
HARBOR SEAL - 1
NORTHERN FUR SEAL - 1

Leaders/Observers: Phil Anderson, Bill Tweit, Bruce LaBar, Ryan Shaw

Next scheduled pelagic, Saturday, March 24th.

Cheers and Good Birding!
Ryan Shaw - Lacey
rtshaw80 at home.com