Subject: Crested Auklet
Date: Sep 23 22:52:20 2003
From: Bruce Whittington - fieldnat at pacificcoast.net


Hi all -
The Crested Auklet was very cooperative this afternoon (23rd) again at
Pedder Bay, keeping company with Rhinoceros Auklets mostly, sometimes
gulls, and sometimes alone. One of the people who found it (Jukka
Jantunen, Bander In Charge at Rocky Point) now thinks it is a second
winter bird. It was seen up close and photographed ad nauseam by boat,
but is a little difficult by land. Pedder Bay is bounded on one side by
restricted military area (Rocky Point) and the other by William Head
Penitentiary, and I gather some birders were given a hard time when
birding from the parking lot of the penitentiary. Boat rentals
available at Pedder Bay Marina - 250-478-1771, but they may refuse you
if it is late in the day, or you can launch your own boat or kayak. I
think their boats will hold 4, maybe 5 or 6 people - they are good
sized fiberglass runabouts. Use the tide tables for Sooke and weather
for Juan de Fuca Strait. Pedder Bay is about 40 minutes west of
Victoria - take 1a to Colwood, then 14 towards Sooke, and turn left on
Metchosin Road several kilometers to Metchosin (Community Hall and
My-Chosen Cafe). Don't keep going straight on William Head Road -
you'll end up at the penitentiary. Turn right (briefly) on Happy Valley
Road and then left on Rocky Point Road and look for the signs to the
marina on the left.

Today the auklet was seen mostly on the penitentiary shore but also
spent some time on the other side and has been seen from land on the
Rocky Point side further out towards Bentinck Island. It was feeding,
preening etc so may stick around for a while.

The marina office actually has a photo of the bird and some notes - so
show'em your bins and your birding dollars. Also lots of Heerman's
Gulls, many alcids including Rhinos, Murres, Guillemots, Marbled and a
few Ancient Murrelets. Also sea lions and possible orcas - a few
transients were seen today.

Hope this helps anyone planning a trip -
Bruce Whittington
Victoria BC
mailto: fieldnat at pacificcoast.net