Our 16th pelagic trip of the year was greeted with wonderful fall weather and glassy seas. Twenty two seafarers joined us from various states with the majority from Washington. As we passed the jetty we noticed right away that the Sooty Shearwater numbers have dropped dramatically from the summer highs of thousands. However, the ?murre zone? was dotted with around 1,000 Common Murres. The highlight for the day occurred in this area with a well-observed and photo'd Manx Shearwater. This was our first sighting on this year?s pelagic trips and for many a life or state bird. Farther out at sea, we started to see many Pink-footed Shearwaters and our first Buller?s Shearwaters. A little farther, the first of 6 South Polar Skuas were sighted and well shouted out (there is something very dramatic about shouting SKUA at the top of your lungs). With no Fork-tailed Storm-Petrels seen on last week?s trip, we spent most of our time near the shrimp boats and the other fishing boats just a little closer in the Grays canyon area. Thousands of California Gulls and hundreds of Pink-footed Shearwaters made up the main species near these boats. A good number of Black-footed Albatross and Northern Fulmar were also attracted to these vessels. The highlights from here were excellent views of up to 5 Flesh-footed Shearwaters. 193 Sabine?s Gulls also provided oohs and ahs as they make their long journey south from the Arctic.

Our last trip of the year is on Oct. 18th but is unfortunately sold out. However, one could always check our website under reservations and get on a waiting list. www.westportseabirds.com.

The leaders for this past trip were Michael Donahue, Scott Mills and myself. Phil and Chris Anderson were our boat personnel and spotters.

The following is the list and numbers of species:
Surf Scoter-73
White-winged Scoter-4
Red-breasted Merganser-1
Red-throated Loon-3
Pacific Loon-17
Common Loon-11
Western Grebe-22
Black-footed Albatross-71
Northern Fulmar-148
Pink-footed Shearwater-3024
Flesh-footed Shearwater-5
Buller?s Shearwater-79
Sooty Shearwater-571
MANX SHEARWATER-1
Brown Pelican-538
Double-crested Cormorant-20
Brandt?s Cormorant-60
Pelagic Cormorant-20
Wandering Tattler-1 (jetty)
Marbled Godwit-400 (inside marina)
Black Turnstone-7 (jetty)
Surfbird-3 (jetty)
South Polar Skua-6
Pomarine Jaeger
Sabine?s Gull-193
Heermann?s Gull-138
Mew Gull-1
California Gull-6523
Herring Gull-43
Thayer?s Gull-5
Western/Glaucous-winged Gull-110
Common Murre-993
Pigeon Guillemot-1
Marbled Murrelet-1
Cassin?s Auklet-339
Rhinoceros Auklet-48
Mammals
Humpback Whale-1
Harbor Porpoise-4
Dall?s Porpoise-1
Harbor Seal-3
Northern Fur Seal-1
California Sea Lion-5
Steller?s Sea Lion-7
Also
Blue Shark-1
Ocean Sunfish-10