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> We are nearing the end of our third season of monitoring Pigeon
> Guillemots that nest in burrows in the bluffs on Whidbey Island. Our
> team of volunteers regularly visits 21 colonies during the breeding
> season. The colonies range in size from 8-80 birds and average about
> 25.
>
> Yesterday Phyllis Kind and I visited ten of the most active colonies
> looking for fledglings. Although we saw nearly 100 adult
> guillemots--many birds have already dispersed from the nesting
> sites--we did not see a single juvenile. A few pairs were still
> tending their burrows, but most have finished nesting. We understand
> the that the young disperse directly after fledging and perhaps gather
> at prime feeding areas. Has anyone observed fledgling guillemots in
> Puget Sound this season, either at their colonies or away from the
> colonies? If so please let me know.
>
> A few highlights of the day included peering down from the Deception
> Pass bridge and watching the guillemots swimming underwater. We also
> observed a MERLIN chasing first a Bald Eagle and then a
> Glaucous-winged Gull at Possession Point. Also watched a flock of
> about 30 RED-NECKED PHALAROPES in Mutiny Bay.
>
> Frances Wood
>
> Langley, Washington (Whidbey Island)
> wood at whidbey.com
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