Greetings Tweeters,

Last Sunday we had another great trip on the water with Westport Seabirds. At daybreak we headed out the channel from Westport with a beautiful sunrise at our backs highlighting Mount Rainier. Conditions were clear and calm with a light breeze and low (4 ft.) swell. Sea surface temperature was warm, 61 degrees for much of the trip. Out on the ocean, bird activity near shore was much reduced with decreased numbers of Sooty Shearwaters and Common Murres compared to the previous week. What a difference a week makes.

As we approached the outer shelf species variety and numbers picked up from what was beginning to feel like a pretty slow day. We headed for a small group of shrimp trawlers fishing near the edge of Grays Canyon. In the distance we could see clouds of birds around each boat, with very little bird activity away from the boats. The great majority of birds at the boats were California Gulls and Pink-footed Shearwaters. Here we encountered our first Flesh-Footed and Buller's Shearwaters of the day, as well as South Polar Skua and several Pomerine Jeager. We had yet to encounter our first Black-footed Albatross and had only a fleeting glimpse of a single Fork-tailed Storm Petrel. After working the boats, Skipper Phil Anderson noted another larger concentration of fishing boats well to the south. The Whiting fleet, including 7 or 8 boats and a factory processor were fishing in the area around WIllipa Canyon in Pacific County.

After some discussion we opted to adjust our course to the south and work our way along the shelf edge to Willipa Canyon. As we headed south we encountered good numbers of Cassin's Auklets and increasing numbers of Sabines Gulls along with more Pink-footed and Bullers Shearwaters. North of the Whiting fleet we spotted a lot of bird activity and splashing on the water resulting from a large pod of 500 or so Pacific White-Sided Dolphins. Sabines Gulls seemed to be everywhere, and about this point we were beginning to suspect it might be a record day for that species. Our first Black-footed Albatross, and several more Skua and Pom Jeagers were also in this area. As we pressed on toward the fishing boats were noted a fine Tufted Puffin on the water with only a hint of white in the face and a massive bright red bill. Good looks we had by all, and some nice photos were obtained. It was noted that this can be a tough bird in Pacific County.

As we worked our way through the fleet toward the factory processor, or as some had dubbed it the "mother ship", there was a constant stream of activity. At the mother ship we did our best to estimate numbers and search through the crowds for uncommon and new species for the day. The majority here were also California Gulls, with good numbers of Sabines gulls in a full range of plumages. We added more Black-footed Albatross, Northern Fulmar, Pink-footed and Buller's Shearwaters, as well as Skua, Pomerine Jeager, and our first Parasitic Jeagers of the day. Our second Flesh-footed Shearwater of the day obliged us with good looks, numerous passes, and some plunge diving activity. As we departed the fishing fleet and turned north we encountered another Flesh-footed Shearwater, within a large group of Pink-foots. Leaving the boats behind bird numbers dwindled as expected.

We finished the day with a record number of2421 Sabines Gulls. The 62 Black-footed Albatross for the day were all recorded in Pacific County. Pink-footed (1399) outnumbered Sooty Shearwaters (454), and Flesh-footed (3), and Buller's (22) rounded out the shearwater numbers. Only 1 or perhaps a few more Fork-tailed Storm Petrel(s) were encountered but were seen by only a few. Eight South Polar Skua (7 in Pacific County), 19 Pomerine Jeager, and 3 Parasitic Jeager accounted for the Skua/Jeager clan. Alcids included good numbers of Cassin?s Auklets (283), and declining numbers of Rhinoceros Auklets (19), and Common Murres (164). A single Scripps/ Guadalupe? type Murrelet was seen only briefly at a distance and only a few observers at best. Phalaropes are becoming downright scarce, with just a handful of Red-necked (6) and only 3 Reds.

Among the activity at the mouth of the Harbor we found our first Harlequin Ducks of the season (8) and the season?s first Western Grebes along with a single Clarks Grebe near the tip of the south jetty. Shorebirds included Wandering Tattlers (4), Black Turnstone (6), Whimbrel, and roughly 700 Marbled Godwit from the jetty to the boat basin.

Mammals for the day included Pacific White-sided Dolphin, Dalls and Harbor Porpoise, Harbor and Northern Fur Seals, and California and Steller?s Sea Lions. Mola Mola, and Albacore Tuna were among the fish noted. Spotters for the trip included Scott Mills, Ryan Shaw, and Bill Shelmerdine.
Cheers and good birding,
Bill Shelmerdine
Olympia WA