Subject: [Tweeters] Possible Cassin's Auklets at West Point
Date: Oct 7 19:23:37 2010
From: Randy - randimal at comcast.net


Tim Brennan and I were birding at the West Point Lighthouse at Discovery
Park this morning. Not too far out there seemed to be a group of baitfish
which was attracting a lot of gulls including some Heermans. However, after
a while we noticed a very small alcid, less than half the length of a
floating gull, which was solid gray on top. We got the scopes on it, and
eventually noticed there were four of them in the area. My best views were
when they were facing away from us. From that angle, the solid charcoal
gray back and head were visible as well as bright white undertail coverts.
I also go a view of one from the front as one was stretching its wings. The
underside was very light. We were wondering if they could be Marbled
Murrelets, but after doing some research I don't see that there is any phase
of Marbled Murrelets that are so solidly gray on top. I think I'm going to
put them down as Cassin's Auklets, but it would be great if someone else got
to see them and verify.

As a side note, up in the fields earlier we had a Barn Owl come out from
behind a group of trees and nearly run Tim over. Not sure if it thought he
was edible or just was suprised to see us there.

Randy Bjorklund
Federal Way, WA