While doing a Big Sit this morning at Seaside Cove, I saw a single
BLACK-VENTED SHEARWATER pass by heading south just in front of the first
set of breakers in a very rough, multi-set surf line (about 300m out).

It was early in our watch. I had noted a few SOOTY SHEARWATERS 300-500m
out along with many BROWN PELICANS and a few ANCIENT MURRELETS and
murres. At approximately 08:20, a small pale-bellied shearwater flew
by. It flew with 3-4 quick flaps followed by long glides then quick
flaps typical of most shearwaters. It was smaller than a California
Gull, dark gray-brown above, light-bellied with a pale-ish, dirty brown
looking head and a dusky looking venter. The under-wings were also
pale-ish, dirty brown, a bit darker than the belly, but lighter than the
throat of vent.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/mbalame/22108023581

We saw one or two more Sooty Shearwaters within the next half-hour, but
saw no more tubenoses of any description after about 09:00 though we
remained at the Cove until about 12:30 (when we all left to chase the
TROPICAL KINGBIRD found by Steve Jaggers).

There has been a phenomenal BLACK-VENTED SHEARWATER incursion into
Oregon waters over the last several days with birds reported from
multiple locations along the Oregon Coast. Prior to this week, there
were only 5 accepted records of Black-tailed Shearwater in Oregon.

---
Mike Patterson
Astoria, OR
The history of photons
http://www.surfbirds.com/community-blogs/northcoastdiaries/?p=3005