Subject: WESTPORT PELAGIC - XANTUS' MURRELET
Date: Jul 20 16:19:42 2003
From: SnyderLaBar at aol.com - SnyderLaBar at aol.com


On July 19, Westport Seabirds had a very successful pelagic trip. Spending
close to 12 hours at sea and going nearly 60 miles offshore, we had some
remarkable sightings. With the help of five Westport Seabird spotters, several
veteran birders and flat, calm seas, we recorded the following highlights.

* Two Xantus' Murrelets of the race "hypoleuca". This maybe the first
Washington record for this form. The usual race that we have observed is "scrippi".
There is thought that these will be split into two different species.
Excellent views for most of the birders and photos were taken.

* One Manx Shearwater. This bird was seen in flight by many on the boat as we
neared the harbor close to the Ocean Shore jetty.

* One Flesh-footed Shearwater

* Over 300 hundred Leach's Storm-Petrels

* Our first Long-tailed Jaeger of the year. A beautiful adult with long tail
feathers.

* At least three South Polar Skuas

Other birds included Black-footed Albatross, Red Phalaropes, Pink-footed
Shearwaters and many of our regular species.

The other highlights included eight mammal species. Over 150 Pacific
White-sided Dolphins in a long line jumping right past our boat! One Minke Whale, one
Humpback Whale that a few got to see breach, two Elephant Seals and one
Northern Fur Seal were the main attractions.

Please check our website at <A HREF="www.westportseabirds.com">www.westportseabirds.com</A> for further results and
for our exciting late summer and fall trips.

Bruce LaBar
Tacoma, Wa.
snyderlabar at aol.com
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