Westport Seabirds had its first trip of the year, yesterday. The weather was a little rainy and cool, but with excellent visibility throughout the day. This was one of our longer trips further out in the Grays Harbor canyon in search of Leach's Storm-Petrels. The leaders were Ryan Shaw and myself.
The bird highlights included over 500 Leach's and much lesser numbers of Fork-tailed Storm-Petrels. Over 50 Black-footed Albatross were seen. 18,000, give or take a few, Sooty Shearwaters and maybe 50 Pink-footed Shearwaters were the only shearwater species seen. All three jaeger species were recorded plus 3 excellent close views of South Polar Skua. Several Cassin Auklets and one Tufted Puffin were the alcid highlights. Two Arctic Terns and one Clark's Grebe in the harbor were the other noted birds.
The highlight,mammal wise,was over 100 Northern Right Whale Dolphins among 80 Pacific White-sided Dolphins feeding activity, surfing by our boat. We also saw 2 Humpback Whales.
For complete numbers and recordings check our website at www.westportseabirds.com . There are still spaces available on most of our remaining trips. Hope to see you on the ocean soon.

Bruce LaBar
814 North Trafton
Tacoma, Washington 98403
(253) 272-1058
blabar at harbornet.com