We enjoyed another outstanding trip out of Westport on Saturday. We had
calm seas with a little wind picking up at the right moment. The sky was
gray, but the wildfire smoke had cleared and we avoided rain up until our
return to the harbor.

September is known for excellent species diversity, and this we enjoyed
with good total bird numbers thanks to several shrimpers working offshore.
Numbers in parentheses are totals for the day unless otherwise noted.

I don't believe I have been on a trip where Buller's Shearwater (136) has
outnumbered our most common shearwater, Sooty Shearwater (131), but that is
indeed what we found. The beautiful Buller's Shearwater was seen well and
often with large numbers in flight and on the water. Pink-footed
Shearwater (2275) has been the most common shearwater on several of the
more recent trips and was again today. We managed to eek out a nice
Flesh-footed Shearwater on the water on our return trip past the
shrimpers. Everyone got great looks at this highly sought after bird. It
pays to give working boats a second look on the way back from the chum
spot. Northern Fulmar (3) proved hard to come by, but was seen by all.

The chum stop was quite exceptional with a "skua slam" completed as we
watched other species moving in and out to sample our fish oil offerings.
The "skua slam" refers to all four species of "skua" which includes South
Polar Skua (9 day, 1 chum) and the Jaeger species, known elsewhere in the
world, as "skuas". We had the stocky Pomarine Jaeger (6 day, 1 chum), the
agile Parasitic Jaeger (8 day, 3 chum) and the sleek Long-tailed Jaeger (2
for day both at chum). It was nice to be able to study the 4 species for
longer than we often get as they and we motor past each other. At our chum
stop were also appreciated close Fork-tailed Storm-Petrels (58 day, 12
chum) feeding on the surface and Black-footed Albatross (42, 2 chum)
gliding effortlessly past the boat. We had another excellent showing for
Sabine's Gull (407, 40 chum), noting various stages of molt and even a few
juvenile birds.

The alcids were well represented by Common Murre (44), Pigeon Guillemot
(1), Rhinoceros Auklet (49), Cassin's Auklet (68) and a quick, but clearly
diagnostic, shot across the bow by a Tufted Puffin (1) still in breeding
plumage.

Shorebirds seen included Red-necked Phalarope (140), and inshore Wandering
Tattler (7), Willet (1), Whimbrel (2), Marbled Godwit (1000), and Black
Turnstone (8+).

Mammals included Humpback Whale (3), Pacific White-sided Dolphin (25),
Northern Fur Seal (4), Northern Elephant Seal (1), Harbor Seal (1),
California (9) and Steller's (13) Sea Lions.

Our team included myself, Leader Scott Mills, Crew Chris Anderson and
Captain of the Monte Carlo, Phil Anderson.

Though our trips are winding down, hope to sea you out there eventually!

Cara Borre

Gig Harbor
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