Subject: Curious about Murres
Date: Jun 5 20:02:30 2002
From: Kenneth Brown - kennethwbrown at hotmail.com


Yesterday evening, 6:30 pm, Diane Yorgason-Quinn and myself were heading
over to Tacoma for a bird
class. Crossing Purdy Spit, we noticed a flock of 60-80 birds. They were
large and my first impulse was
my that's a late flock of Greater Scaup. Upon binoculation, we were shocked
to see Common Murres.
Several satellite flocks joined the main flock, now about 80-100 birds.
They flew around the bay, we watched them for about 10 minutes then left.
Tonight, the 5th, I went back at 6:10pm, there were several
small flocks 10-15 birds in and out of the bay. About 6:30pm they had again
joined into a super-flock, about 50-70 birds. Most appeared to be in
breeding plumage. The birders handbood states 4-6 yrs. till
breeding age. I assumed all murres went to breeding sites in May and young
birds there were simply
learning and trying- but unsuccessfully. Any ideas about why these birds
are here, so far south in the
sound, and in this number? I assume they are non-breeders, but I have never
seen any site records
for this number, so late, and so deep in the sound. Their flight reminded
me of crows flocking together
before reaching their roost site. Any ideas? Thanks.

Ken Brown
Port Orchard, Wa.
kennethwbrown at hotmail.com



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