[Tweeters] Westport Seabirds Trip Report July 26

[Cara Borre via Tweeters]

Our July 26th trip marked a milestone in the long history of Westport
Seabirds.  For the first time in nearly 50 years of running tours, we had
more women than men onboard, including two female spotters.  Also of note
our group included a birding family - the parents both octogenarians.  This
underscores that pelagic birding is for everyone!


Under mostly overcast skies, with calm seas and pleasant conditions, we
enjoyed a truly memorable day on the water filled with birds, mammals, lots
of blue sharks, and one giant ocean sunfish.

The ride out began with the usual scattering of Rhinoceros Auklets and
Common Murres, followed by growing numbers of Sooty Shearwater, both in
flight and on the water.  An unusual sighting included two Ancient
Murrelets on the water - noteworthy because one was also spotted on last
week’s trip.  This species is typically further north and offshore during
this time of the year.

We passed a good number of Red-necked Phalaropes on our way to a large
fleet of shrimpers, and stopped to scan the flocks to see if we could spot
a Red Phalarope among them. Red Phalarope on the water would remain elusive
and we would have to settle for brief looks of that species in flight.

When we reached the first of the shrimp boats, we were rewarded with large
flocks of birds and got excellent looks at our first Black-footed Albatross
for the day.  We would go on to tally 43 of these giants, thrilling
everyone with their massive wingspans.  In contrast to the albatross’s
bulk, we had a good showing of the dainty Fork-tailed Storm-petrel, with
nearly 100 for the day.  Sooty (3370) and Pink-footed (1507) Shearwaters
accounted for the majority of the tubenose count, but we added a few
Short-tailed Shearwater and Northern Fulmar, with one cooperative fulmar
coming close to the boat allowing us to study and photograph its intricate
and colorful bill.

After thoroughly working the shrimping fleet, we continued toward the
continental shelf and beyond for our chum stop.  En route, we had a
fleeting view of a South Polar Skua on our starboard side, followed soon
after by a spectacular close pass from another individual off our port bow
- a highlight for many on board. Once we cleared the edge of the continent,
we set out an oil slick with some suet added and waited for the action.
Our plan was amended when Captain Phil alerted us to a large group of
dolphins a few miles ahead.  We abandoned our chum for the opportunity to
observe several hundred Pacific White-sided Dolphin feeding and surfing the
waves.  Among them were 50 Northern Right Whale Dolphins, whose sleek,
finless backs gave us unforgettable views as they porpoised from the
water.  There were even a couple of humpbacks in the vicinity adding to our
tally of this species for the day that included 7 animals.  Earlier in the
trip two Humpbacks treated a lucky few on the stern to back-to-back
breaches as we motored away from them.

Feeding mammals often attract birds looking for a discarded scrap,
including Leach’s Storm-Petrel (13), the main target of our deep water
searches this time of year.  Other highlights included Arctic Tern fly bys
and sustained looks at several resting on a log, and a passing Parasitic
Jaeger who had the tables “terned” on him as one of the terns chased him
off.   Sabine’s Gull made multiple appearances coursing back and forth,
gracefully checking the surface for food.

With the mammal extravaganza having far surpassed our chum efforts, we
headed back and made a final pass by the boats, carefully scanning for any
new species.  Finding only the now familiar bunch of birds, we set a course
for Westport.  An inshore Tufted Puffin, floating at the mouth of the
harbor, added the cherry on top to this memorable day.

Captain Phil Anderson, First Mate Chris Anderson, spotters Scott Mills,
Cindy McCormack, and I would like to thank the enthusiastic birders who
joined us on this very special voyage.


Hope to sea you out there!


Cara Borre

Gig Harbor
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