Subject: Ancient Murrelets at Dash Point
Date: Nov 20 18:10:39 2002
From: Ruth Sullivan - GODWIT at worldnet.att.net


Hello Tweets,

This afternoon my mother and I checked the Dash Point area in search of
previously reported ANCIENT MURRELETS by Jim Flynn on the 18th and also for
being able to observe them well enough and close to shore for photographs.
We were very successful this afternoon between 12:40pm-2:30pm at the public
fishing/crabbing dock at Dash Point Park(accessed off of 509)in Pierce Co.
in locating Ancient Murrelets in multiple sized flocks varying from two to
as many as 15 birds in a single flock and from the north end of the dock we
were able to obtain photographs of 5 birds within range of 65 feet. We
arrived at Dash Point Park with limited visibility due to fog with NO
wind,and conditions cleared resulting in great viewing conditions of the
East Passage of Puget Sound within 250 yards. This small excursion was our
main goal in getting good looks at this relatively unreported species in
southern Puget Sound,so we took advantage of taking time to view ALL the
Ancient Murrelets well this afternoon. Several of the birds in flocks of 2-8
were observed flying east to west about 100 yards offshore then observed
diving from flight into the water and submerging themselves after
"splashing" in the water. There was little current noted off and near shore
above the water,but below there must have been some current that moved the
birds around. The birds that were observed closer to shore and drifting
along in the minor current conditions were observed well in our spotting
scope with good back lighting,showing complete black crown and nape
contrasting to the pale gray back with white underparts(extending up along
the side of the neck)and the fourth color adding to the short,stubby
straw-yellow bill. The broken eye ring was noticed only occasionally in
birds that were noted closer to shore,as the birds most often dove quickly
as active crabbers on the dock threw their nets and lines into the water. In
flight the white underwings were very noticeable as the stocky birds flew in
tight flocks. We also noted a group of 6 Ancient Murrelets close to shore
off the Browns Park Lighthouse Park loosely foraging within a gull
flock,presumably atttracted to a possible herring ball(s) in very calm
waters, with a flock of 8 birds noted further offshore in slightly rougher
waters. We checked as far east as Dash Point S.P.,but NO Ancient Murrelets
were noted,but we know they move around in search of food and often carried
by the currents. Other notable species that we observed during the mid
afternoon included the following:

Red-throated Loon
12 off Dash Point Park
2 off Browns Point Lighthouse Park

Pacific Loon
4 off Dash Point Park

Barrow's Goldeneye
8 at Dash Point Park
5 at Browns Point Lighthouse Park

Sharp-shinned Hawk
1 at Dash Point S.P.
1 along S.R.509 and the Hylebos Waterway

Dunlin
7 along the Hylebos Waterway(accessed from the east end of 11th Street near
S.R.509)

Bonaparte's Gull
good numbers observed offshore from both Dash Point Park and Browns Point
Lighthouse Park

HEERMANN'S GULL
2(1 adult,1 immature)off Dash Point Park
4(1 adult,3 immatures)off Browns Point Lighthouse Park

Marbled Murrelet
2 off Dash Point Park

ANCIENT MURRELET
42+ off Dash Point Park
14 off Browns Point Lighthouse Park


We also observed a few marine mammals off Dash Point Park during our visit
including 3 DALL'S PORPOISES and 4 California Sea Lions among several Harbor
Seals close to shore.


Good birding,

Ruth and Patrick Sullivan
godwit at worldnet.att.net