[Tweeters] Westport Seabirds Trip Report, June 1, 2024

[Cindy McCormack via Tweeters]

An enthusiastic group of birders, both PNW locals and several from the east
coast, gathered for a promising day of pelagic birding. We lucked out with
a great day of relatively calm waters--the days before and after had much
rougher seas! A few periods of light rain weren’t enough to soak anyone and
mostly occurred while we were traveling, and the cloud cover kept the glare
at a minimum. Purple Martins chortled overhead as we listened to the
introductory and safety talks before getting underway.

As we exited the boat basin, several HARBOR PORPOISES (17) foraging along
the basin’s breakwater provided a fun start to the day. We had great looks
at RHINOCEROS AUKLETS (455), COMMON MURRES (512), PIGEON GUILLEMOTS (13),
SURF (538) and WHITE-WINGED SCOTERS (136), PACIFIC (31) and COMMON LOONS
(4) as we motored out the inshore waters, with pelicans being surprisingly
absent in the morning.

As expected, SOOTY SHEARWATERS were found just after our smooth bar
crossing—most in active molt and looking a bit messy. They were quite low
in number for the day – only 188!  A group of three adult ANCIENT MURRELETS
(27) alongside the boat delighted everyone on board, as were the additional
murrelet groups later encountered with chicks (1/2-3/4 grown). A pair of
fur seals were spotted along our route, one of which could be identified as
a GUADALUPE FUR SEAL.

The strikingly beautiful alternate plumage of the SABINE’S GULL (22)
captivated many of our first timers—what a gorgeous gull!

As we entered deep waters off the shelf, several seabirds were found near a
large mixed group of PACIFIC WHITE-SIDED DOLPHIN (156) and RISSO’S DOLPHINS
(9), which gave us quite the show! A few of the bow-riders got great looks
at a large SALMON SHARK alongside the boat. A nearby spot prawn boat didn’t
appear to be attracting any birds (although the trap buoy flags looked like
they had birds perched on them—very distracting!).

We paused to chum, announcing that it was a good time to grab some lunch,
but before we could do much more than watch the slick spread, we suddenly
took off to intersect the wake of a passing factory trawler (processing).
What luck! The boat certainly left a “fragrant” trail (pee-ew!) which was
attracting quite a following—we struggled to count the FORK-TAILED
STORM-PETRELS (669) as they crowded along the boat’s wake as far as we
could see! A few LEACH’S STORM-PETRELS (26) in the mix really stood out
with their nighthawk-like flight style. PINK-FOOTED SHEARWATERS (353),
BLACK-FOOTED ALBATROSS (120), and NORTHERN FULMAR (35) were also enjoying
the ship’s bounty. The area also produced close encounters and fantastic
views of adult PARASITIC (2) and LONG-TAILED JAEGER (1). As the ship got
more distant, we returned to the chum spot to find it had also attracted a
good number of storm-petrels, albatross, and fulmars. What a fantastic deep
water visit!

Our return trip produced a close, but quick fly-by POMARINE JAEGER (1), as
well as a very cooperative SHORT-TAILED SHEARWATER (1) offering close views
sitting on the water and a few short flights to give everyone time to view
the field marks on a challenging identification. A very large group of
PACIFIC WHITE-SIDED DOLPHINS with an amazing number of NORTHERN RIGHT-WHALE
DOLPHINS (60!) surrounded the *Monte Carlo* and delighted everyone on
board! What a treat!

As we approached inshore waters again, we found that the morning’s missing
BROWN PELICANS (167) had returned, loafing on the rocks at the end of the
jetty, as were the usual mix of cormorants and gulls—including several
HEERMAN’S GULLS (48). We laughed at the STELLER’S SEA LIONS draping
themselves at the base of the buoys, like big, boneless bags of blubber,
and at the apartment lifestyle of the nesting BRANDT’S CORMORANTS in the
buoy’s sectioned top. One WANDERING TATTLER was spotted along the jetty’s
base. A single BLACK OYSTERCATCHER was a pleasant surprise, helping round
out an amazing day on the ocean!

Thanks to a great group of birders, whose enthusiasm and excitement make
these trips special! The Westport Seabirds crew consisted of the amazing
duo of Captain Phil Anderson and First Mate Chris Anderson.  Spotters were
Scott Mills, Bill Shelmerdine, and me.

For a complete list and for any other information about our pelagic trips,
please visit this website, www.westportseabirds.com.

Cindy McCormack



*_________________*


*Cindy McCormackVancouver, WAnwbirderatgmailcom*
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