All,
Yesterday Westport Seabirds conducted it?s scheduled trip to offshore waters under sunny skies, with low swell and rather mild sea conditions (there was a bit of wind chop that made the outbound run a bit bumpy at times). The trip was a Grays Canyon trip to waters over the shelf edge to Longitude 125. The concentrations of shearwaters often found at the harbor mouth was not to be found and only modest numbers were encountered (keeping the overall total for Sooty Shearwaters rather low and in the hundreds rather than thousands or tens of thousands sometimes found at this time of year).

Heading out through the nearshore flocks we were able to find 2 MANX SHEARWATERS, though both were somewhat distant and acting like they had some place better to be. Seabird numbers on the shelf and throughout the nearshore waters were rather low. As a result we chose to deviate several miles north to where the shrimp boats were fishing near the shelf edge. While we found the boats, bird numbers and species variety were rather low with California Gulls dominating the mix. In this area we found numbers of Northern Fulmar, Fork-tailed Storm Petrel, Pink-Footed, and Sooty Shearwaters. Four Common Terns and Red and Red-necked Phalarope were found near-by. Surprisingly only 2 Black-footed Albatross were attending the fishing boats.

>From there we continued due west to 125 where we set a chum slick. En route we located our first Buller?s Shearwaters (2) of the year and our first South Polar Skua of the day. Birds were pretty dispersed, though we passed through numbers of Pink-footed Shearwaters and Fork-tailed Storm Petrels. Our first of many Mola Mola (Ocean Sunfish) were in that area in what turned out to be a banner trip for that species including a number of specimens that could only be described as impressive (as in LARGE). At 125 we set the slick where just a few Fork-tails were milling about. The slick did its job nicely, and in short order California Gulls, Black-footed Albatross, and Fork-tails were investigating. Under very calm conditions and warm sunny skies we sat and enjoyed the activity. Species visiting the slick included Black-footed Albatross (30), Northern Fulmar, Pink-footed and Sooty Shearwaters, Fork-tailed Storm Petrels, Red Phalarope, Sabine?s Gull (3 crisp adults), Red Phalaope, South Polar Skua, and Pomerine Jeager, along with numerous California Gulls.

>From the chum spot we turned south along the shelf edge, then in along the north edge of Grays Canyon. Our only views of Cassins Auklet and Tufted Puffin (a co-operative transitional adult), along with a "flock" of 5 South Polar Skua (sitting on the water) were along the outer edge of the shelf. The return trip picked up more Mola Mola, Humpback Whales, and more Fork-tails, Sabines Gulls, Pink-foots and the like. We ended the day with 9 Skua, and 9 Pomerine Jeagers. Somewhat surprisingly for this time of year Parasitic and Long-tailed could not be found. Mammals included Humback Whales, Dall?s (1 only) and Harbor Porpoise, Harbor Seal, Northern Fur Seal, California and Stellers Sea Lions. Official numbers will be added to the Westport Seabirds Webpage and to ebird in the coming weeks. Spotters for the trip included Bruce LaBar, Michael Donahue, and Bill Shelmerdine. Skipper Phil Anderson and wife Chris as always provided excellent boat handling and customer service.

Hope to see you on the water?
Bill Shelmerdine
Olympia WA
georn1 at hotmail.com