Stuart Johnston and I observed a juvenile plumage Ancient Murrelet on the
Columbia River, on the leeward side of Lyle Point, at about 9:50 am,
Tuesday, August 20th. This was a first record for Klickitat County.

The bird was first heard, and then observed about 100 meters from shore.
The winds were 25 to 30 mph from the west, and we eventually lost sight of
it as it drifted into the waves unprotected by the Lyle Point cove. The
cove beach access is at the easterly end of the gravel road which abuts the
sewage treatment facilities.

It was kind of a "birdy" moment with the prior sighting of a Great Egret,
and our observing two Peregrine Falcons conducting aerial maneuvers as we
heard the unusual call from the river.

Any thoughts or theories on why the bird was there? Lost or driven in land
by the winds? Lyle must be about 120 to 150 miles from the Pacific Ocean.