Tweeters,

We took advantage of the great weather to head out to remote Cape Flattery
yesterday. Tatoosh Island seemed very close in the bright sunshine. It was a
dramatically different view than our usual experience out there which is of
low cloud or fog.

Northern Fulmars were conspicuous. At one time, we could see at least 50
birds. Most fulmars were beyond Tatoosh Island, scattered about the open
ocean. We could discern no clear pattern of movement;the birds seemed to be
feeding in the area. Many alighted on the nearly smooth waters from time to
time. Fulmars also came in close to the cliffs affording great views.

We noted 90% were light phase birds, the reverse of the usual pattern in
Washington (Birds of Washington by Wahl, Tweit, and Mlodinow states 91%
dark). This book also sites research that most light phase fulmars in the
North Pacific breed north of the Aleutian Islands. One interpretation of our
observation is more of these northern Bering Sea birds have moved farther
south than usual this fall.

We were alert for shearwaters and other pelagic species but saw none, not
even Black-legged Kittiwake which can sometimes be common here in winter.

Other interesting birds we observed included an Eared Grebe in Neah Bay
among a nice assortment of diving birds in the bay, including 20 Common
Loons, 15 Red-throated Loons, rafts of Western Grebes, scattered Red-necked
Grebes, all three scoters, and Long-tailed Ducks, and many Red-breasted
Mergansers.

Southwest of Neah Bay, we watched a dark phase Rough-legged Hawk soaring
over the open habitats along the Waatch River.

West of Sekiu, we marveled at the sight of several Gray Whales just beyond
the kelp beds, both animals moving slowly west along the shore. In the kelp
beds there we had good scope views of 15 or so Marbled Murrelets

Andy and Ellen Stepniewski
Wapato WA
steppie at nwinfo.net