Hello Tweeters,

Bryan's story of the W Grebe reminded me of a similar catch I saw years ago. I was at the Edmond's Fishing pier and saw a woman reel in a Marbled Murrelet. I walked over and said "I think that bird is an endangered species". The bird is actually listed as threatened in WA. But you should have seen the look on her face. She hastily unhooked the bird and threw in back in the water. The Murrelet dove under and popped up about 50 yards away. It groomed itself for a minute, dove again and started swimming away from the pier, apparently no worse for the wear.
It was great to see a Marbled Murrelet from three feet away, although a short look.

I will never forget the wide-eyed look on that woman.

Neil Zimmerman
Brier, WA