[Tweeters] September 4 Westport Seabirds report

[Jim Danzenbaker via Tweeters]

Hi Tweeters,

Another glorious day from beginning to end was one of the many highlights
for the participants on the Westport Seabirds trip on September 4.  18
participants from as far as Texas and Colorado gathered in the pre-dawn for
a memorable trip aboard the *Monte Carlo*.

After crossing the bar, the birds started flowing and soon we were viewing
the staple species of the nearshore water - Common Murres (686 including
122 chicks), Rhinoceros Auklets (44), Red-necked Phalaropes (20), Sooty
Shearwaters (7684) from Australia and California Gulls (452).  As common as
these species are, they are great study subjects as we compare the more
sought after species to these.  Therefore, all eyes and bins were checking
off the field marks in anticipation of birds with slightly different flight
behaviors, profiles, and plumages.

With the basics committed to memory, new birds were readily identified
including Pink-footed Shearwater (2516) from Chile, Northern Fulmars (7)
from Alaska, diminutive Fork-tailed Storm-Petrels (537) and Cassin's
Auklets (10) from the Pacific Northwest, and Sabine's Gulls (48) enroute
from their high arctic breeding grounds to the Humboldt Current off
northern South America.  A few striking Buller's Shearwaters (6) from New
Zealand also joined the other shearwaters, delighting all aboard.  Ever
since my first Buller's Shearwater sighting many many years ago off New
Jersey (!), I have always appreciated them for their striking plumage, and
elegant flight.

I absolutely love a good jaeger, especially good views and we were not
disappointed.  We were treated to the skua slam on this trip which included
all three species of jaegers and South Polar Skua.  Strangely, today's
first jaeger was a Long-tailed Jaeger (1) followed by my favorite bird, the
pirate of the sea, the mighty South Polar Skua (3).  I've always said that
my favorite words on a pelagic trip (other than, wow, there's a
weird albatross over there) is incoming SKUA!  So thrilling to see a bird
that breeds on the Antarctic Continent!  Pomarine (4) and Parasitic Jaegers
(2) were recorded but we saw surprisingly few of each of these species.

The next new species that we found encompassed the largest and smallest of
the regularly occurring pelagic species.  Black-footed Albatrosses (28)
from the leeward chain of the Hawaiian Island and Midway, on 6.5 foot
wings, thrilled all on board.  It doesn't matter how many times I've seen
an albatross, I always know that I'm looking at an epic bird made famous in
prose and its incredible life history.  It's difficult to wrap one's brain
around a bird that may not see land for 5 years before returning to its
natal colony to continue the circle of life.  These were joined by fleeting
views of Red Phalaropes (5) low over the water and a single unidentified
sterna (Comic) tern.  We've been seeing many Arctic Terns earlier in the
season and I have a feeling that most birds today were further
offshore than earlier rather than already being absent from this latitude.
Regardless, we wish them luck on their journey to the edge of the Antarctic
pack ice.

A highlight for all was a pair of SCRIPPS'S MURRELETS (2) which were
spotted ahead of the *Monte Carlo* in time for Captain Phil to stop and
allow everyone a great opportunity to study this species.  I don't think
there were any sightings of this all of last year so we were super excited
to see them!  They come to us from their breeding grounds off Mexico and we
were anticipating them as they had been recorded further south.  Mission
accomplished!

Other highlights were three separate encounters with Flesh-footed
Shearwater (3) from New Zealand.  The first one was in a flock of several
hundred other shearwaters so it was difficult to have everyone see it
well.  The third sighting was steller with one Fleshie foot on the water
with five Pink-foots for a great comparison.  I hope these sightings
continue for the remainder of the season!

Humpback Whales (6), Dall's Porpoises (1) and Pacific White-sided Dolphins
(17) cut the surface but didn't come in for the hoped for bow riding
extravaganza.  Northern Fur Seals (2 and 4 unidentified) were enjoyed by
all. Blue Sharks (6) and several large Ocean Sunfish (20) had all of us
looking down as well as keeping our eyes and ears skyward.  As with
previous trips this season, numerous jumping albacore were fun to see too!

Brown Pelicans, the trifecta of cormorants and numerous gulls from
Heermann's to Western greeted us as we motored between the jetties.  Our
mooring in the Westport marina was under the watchful eyes of bobbing
Harbor Seal heads and the Marbled Godwit (420) flock.

Westport Seabirds thanks all of the enthusiastic participants who make
these trips a success.  Also, thanks to Captain Phil and first mate Chris
for their consummate professionalism, natural history knowledge, bright
smiles, and ginger cookies! Also,a big thanks to our guides Bill
Shelmerdine, Bill Tweit, and your trip reporter.

Even though the Westport Seabirds schedule (
http://westportseabirds.com/2023-schedule/) shows all trips as full, it's
always a good idea to think of pelagic opportunities for this year (last
minute openings happen) and next year!

I hope to see you onboard!

Jim Danzenbaker for Westport Seabirds.

-- 
Jim Danzenbaker
Battle Ground, WA
360-702-9395
jdanzenbaker at gmail.com
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