Saturday, Sept. 20 - Bill Shelmerdine The day started with a somewhat larger swell than anticipated, but once we cleared the bar, conditions offshore were good with light winds. The near shore Sooty Shearwater flocks did not materialize on either the out bound or return trip. For the day, three species exceeded counts of 2000, with California Gull (2800+), Sooty (2400+) and Pink-footed Shearwater (2100+) being the most numerous. The trip across the shelf was routine with the exception of the variety of land birds recorded. Offshore, we encountered several Golden-crowned and Ruby-crowned Kinglets, Dark-eyed Junco, Song and Savannah Sparrow. As we approached the outer shelf shearwater activity really started to pick up. A couple of South Polar Skuas were chasing California Gulls and Pink-foots. Shortly after we spotted a lot of bird activity and adjusted our course to the south to investigate finding numerous Pink-footed Shearwater as well as our first of many good looks at Bullers Shearwater. There was so much activity at this point it was really challenging to keep track of it all. As we stopped the boat, a Flesh-footed Shearwater glided in slowly to the bow and made several passes for some really nice close viewing. Further offshore and out over Grays Canyon we continued with more shearwaters and the occasional Fork-tailed Storm Petrel. Cassins Auklets started showing up, and by the time we reached the chum spot the numbers were looking impressive, over 1200 were recorded for the day. Black-footed albatross were low with a count of about 8. Northern Fulmar numbers continue to be low (about 20), while Sabines Gulls were in good supply (40-50). Jaegers continue to be a bit elusive with 7 Pomerine and 4 South Polar Skua for the day. Rhinoceros Auklet, Red-necked Phalarope, and Tufted Puffin (1 distant sighting) were present but in short supply. A couple of shrimp boats on the return hosted many gulls, more Pink-footed, Sooty, and Bullers Shearwaters along with several Pomerine jaegers. The Mammal show was a good one with a couple of pods of Dalls Porpoises enchanting us with their bow-riding prowess. Several Humpback Whales, Pacific White-sided Dolphin, Harbor Porpoise, Northern Fur Seal, Harbor Seal, and Stellars and California Sea Lions rounded out the list. Mola Mola or Ocean Sunfish and a few acrobatic salmon (presumably coho) were the fish noted. The jetty hosted Black Turnstone, Wandering Tattler, and lone Surfbird, while the boat basin held the traditional Marbled Gotwit flock. Leaders for the trip included Bill Shelmerdine, Bruce LaBar and Ryan Shaw. Official species/totals are available on westportseabirds.
Posted on: Wed, 24 Sep 2014 01:28:05 +0000
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