Subject: [Tweeters] Deception Pass
Date: Apr 15 17:01:16 2005
From: Larry Schwitters - lpatters at ix.netcom.com


Ali,

There are good numbers of Rhinoceros Auklets around now and the two
white lines on their face really stand out. I'll bet that's what you
saw. I guess there have been some Washington Parakeet Auklet recorded
sightings, but that species is unlikely.

Larry Schwitters
Issaquah



Ali Chaney wrote:

> Greetings Birders.
> I'm a birdwatcher from Nevada. My friend and I just got back from a
> conference in Blaine, WA. On our way up to Blaine, from Seattle, we
> stopped off at Deception Pass. Thinking we might just be there for a
> minute we neglected to take along our field guide and instead left it
> in the car. While scanning the water we noticed a small black/dark
> ocean bird. We immediately recognized it as a new bird for us, but
> being from Nevada, many ocean birds are new to us. Anyway, we tried to
> get as many field marks as we could. Black, small, fairly prominent
> white eye line and a great big orange bill. The bill reminded me of a
> clown's bill. It just stuck out like a sore thumb and gave me the
> impression that it was slightly upturned. And, there were two birds.
> When we got back to the car and checked the field guide, I felt it
> looked like a parakeet auklet. However, I don't recall seeing much
> white on it. My friend remembered seeing two white lines on the side
> of its face, perhaps it might be a rhinoceros auklet.
>
> We ran back out to the point to see if it was still around. We did not
> see the dark bird with the big orange/red bill and single eyeline. We
> did however, see many birds that we felt comfortable identifying as
> rhinoceros auklets. My friend thought she might have gotten her
> glasses on one of these when she recalled seeing the two white
> markings.
>
> So, does a parakeet auklet seem like a good possibility in this area
> this time of year? It was Sunday, April 10th.
> Also seen at Deception Pass:
> Common Loon
> Harlequin duck
> Bald eagle
> Red-necked grebe
> Double-crested cormorant
> Pelagic cormorant
> Black oystercatcher
> White crowned sparrow
> Varied thrush (up the road)
> Rhinoceros auklet
> My friend and I enjoyed our time in Washington and hope to make it
> back soon.
> Good birding,
> Ali Chaney
> Reno, NV
> Achaney at heritage.nv.gov
>
>
>
>
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