Greetings all,

The Pelagic trip out of Westport today was very successful. Dealing with
some dreary weather all day with constant winds and sea spray and a bit of
rain, we managed to see a good variety of species. We encountered no less
than 3 FLESH-FOOTED SHEARWATERS among the many numerous PINK-FOOTED and
SOOTY SHEARWATERS. We found a group of about 8 shrimp trawlers, in what
Washington State county listers would consider Pacific County should you
extend the county line from Grays Harbor County and Pacific County due West
thru the ocean. This was the first time I've been in Pacific County on a
Westport trip so it was a new and exciting adventure.

We got the usual seabirds, the PINK-FOOTED and SOOTY SHEARWATERS, NORTHERN
FULMARS in their great variety of colors, and a plethora of BLACK-FOOTED
ALBATROSS. Out in deeper waters we also found both FORK-TAILED
STORM-PETRELS AND LEACH'S STORM-PETRELS, which came into our chum slick.
Also of note were several CASSIN'S AUKLETS which were too fat on feasting to
fly any great distance.

After getting brief views of Grampus (Risso's Dolphin) and excellent looks
at 2 Humpback Whales, 1 which breached several times really putting on a
show, we headed back towards the shrimpers.
We encountered the same great number of shearwaters and fulmars, added this
time to many FORK-TAILED STORM-PETRELS and a few LEACH'S STORM-PETRELS. Not
long after, the surprise of the day, a WILSON'S STORM-PETREL put on a show
for all to see.

It was a very worn individual, missing some secondary feathers, but still
showed all the diagnostic field marks. bright white rump extending to the
undertail coverts, round tail, roundish wings, long legs with bright yellow
webbing to the feet seen as it was pitter pattering on the waters surface.

This will be Washington's 3rd record, 1st for Pacific County waters.

Later in the day, Chief Scientist Bill Tweit spotted a MANX SHEARWATER that
blew by the stern of the boat, not stopping, so brief views for those lucky
enough to see it.

To top off the day, we had some good looks at Pacific White-sided Dolphins,
and a group of bow-riding Dall's Porpoise.

The usual alcids were encountered on the way in. Numerous COMMON MURRES,
RHINOCEROS AUKLETS, and PIGEON GUILLEMOTS near shore. in the harbor were at
least one thousand HEERMANN'S GULLS, and on the jetty were 25 each BLACK
TURNSTONE and SURFBIRD, with 1 RUDDY TURNSTONE mixed in. Throw in 3 species
of Cormorant, (BRANDT'S, PELAGIC, DOUBLE-CRESTED), it was a well rounded day
aside from larids offshore being in low numbers. (Only 1 SOUTH POLAR SKUA
and 1 POMARINE JAEGER SEEN, and only by a few people).

There is still PLENTY of space on next week's pelagic. The Wilson's
Storm-Petrel was caught and tied to a bouey so we could locate it for
everyone next weekend (not really ;-)

You never know what your going to get on a pelagic off Westport, if you want
to find out, come see us in person next weekend!

www.westportseabirds.com

e-mail pmand at reachone.com to sign up, 130 dollars per person for next weeks
DEEPWATER trip.

Cheers and Good Birding
Ryan Shaw
Westport Seabirds

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