Excellent birding at Pt Wilson, Port Townsend, today. After several days of
seeing them northbound (usually in the afternoon), and some days with fewer
than 100 birds, today MAMU were streaming southbound, with many on the
water. My
conservative estimate was 2,100 birds in 90 minutes (and more still coming,
and no doubt more preceded). There was a constant stream of southbound
birds 15-39/minute the entire time. As is typical with this species, most
were zipping by in pairs. They seemed to be going to a large offshore
congregation of feeding birds between Point Wilson and Marrowstone/Flagler.
Additionally, there were about 100 MAMU on the water between Point Wilson
and the marine science center, nicely visible with a scope due to flat calm
conditions. Many of these were vocalizing "keeer!".

Given that this aggregation is approaching the total population for
Washington, I assume these are predominantly birds from BC.

RHINOCEROS AUKLET numbers are increasing significantly as well; large rafts
were present out in the middle of Admiralty Inlet, along with COMMON MURRES
and other species.

Ancient Murrelet numbers have been very low and today I did not detect any.

Of local interest, there was an EARED GREBE along the coast sw of the
Marine Science Ctr pier. This species is quite scarce here.

Full list and a few pics at:
https://ebird.org/checklist/S102343978

good birding,

--
Steve Hampton
Port Townsend, WA (qatáy)