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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">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.<span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">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.<span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">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!
<span> </span>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. <span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">The strikingly
beautiful alternate plumage of the SABINE’S GULL (22) captivated many of our first
timers—what a gorgeous gull!<span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">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!).<span> </span><span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">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!<span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">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 <i>Monte
Carlo</i> and delighted everyone on board! What a treat!<span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">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!<span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black">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. <span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black">For
a complete list and for any other information about our pelagic trips, please
visit this website, <a href="http://www.westportseabirds.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color:black;text-decoration:none">www.westportseabirds.com</span></a>.<span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black">Cindy McCormack</span><i><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black"><span></span></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif"><i><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black"><span></span></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif"><br></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif"><i><br></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif"><i>_________________</i></p><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_signature" data-smartmail="gmail_signature"><div dir="ltr"><i>Cindy McCormack<br>Vancouver, WA<br>nwbirderatgmailcom</i><br></div></div></div>