Greetings All

Nigel, Nigel.... I am going to have to give you a belated BDay present of
North American Birds (NAB).

There have been Ancient Murrelets (ANMU) documented with young off nw WA for
the last several summers (published in NAB). This year Robin Baird had an ad
w/ 2 young off Lopez I., 12 Jun. Most other reports have been off Flattery/Neah
Bay. Also, a year or two ago, the Wiggers (I believe) had a group of ads in
very late May off Smith Island (the one w. of Whidbey).

Interestingly, the NOAA research vessel ran from Astoria to w of Cape
Flattery instead of out of Neah Bay. Scott Mills observed 19 adults at 9 locations
(all w/o young) off Jefferson and Clallam Counties. If I remember correctly,
ANMU were thought to have bred in the distant past (i.e., before 1900) on the Oly
Pen, but I may be mis-remembering. Anyway, it's clear they do so now in small
numbers.

As far as this being an odd year: it seems like alcids are present in above
average numbers and wider distribution than normal within the sound. This does
not mean there is something wrong at sea, however. It could simply mean that
the Rhino Auk and Mar Murrelets had good breeding success recently and their
numbers are burgeoning combined with good food supply within sound. I do know
that the Farallone birds are having great breeding success, so I don't think
we're seeing failed breeders from down there as we've seen before. Also, I think
the OR breeding alcids are doing okay.

My only observation to the contrary was a most peculiar passage of 6000
Common Murre northbound past Cape Flattery on 2 June. That's about = to the entire
WA breeding population, all headed in one direction... seemed very odd to say
the least, especially without breeding failure farther south.

Cheers
Steven Mlodinow
Everett WA