Uclulet Pelagic Trip Sept 13-15 2013 Sponsored by Wild Research (http://www.wildresearch.ca)

We arrived  at Uclulet a few days early to get the lay of the land and perhaps discover some birds we wouldn't find on the boat.  The following photos are a compilation of the trip.  The day on the boat was cloudy and most of the birds were at a distance so the shots are only a record of some of the species we encountered.  For a list of birds seen go to Wildresearch; https://www.facebook.com/pages/WildResearch/171922462820335

Fox Sparrow Ampritite Lighthouse

Black Bear Cubs Port Albion

Black Bear sow and mother of the cubs

Cutting up an Orca carcass Grice Bay

Early morning sea watch at the lighthouse.

Checking out every crevice.

Is that a Murre or a Murrelet???

Pink-footed Shearwater.  We saw a lot of these.

Sooty Shearwater

Black-footed Albatross

Distant shot of a Buller's Shearwater

Pomarine Jaeger

Pomarine Jaeger

This was quick shot of one of the many small birds that wanted to land on the ship.  A brief discussion tentatively id'ed it as a Lapland Longspur because of the white sides to the tail??  A hint of yellow on the lores may suggest White-throated Sparrow.  Any other opinions would be appreciated.

Chestnut-sided Warbler?

Chestnut-sided Warbler?

Chestnut-sided Warbler? (all these shots are of the same bird)

Red-necked Phalaropes were always a bit far off for a good shot.

Northern Fulmar with mottled back.

A Yellow warbler landed beside me.  I saw one land on a man's shoulder.   The picture below is a closeup revealing a red "thread" in the nostril.  Any ideas??

Here is a Northern Fulmar.

Pink-footed Shearwater

This Townsends Warbler landed on the deck and was too close for the camera to focus properly.

South Polar Skua

South Polar Skua showing the distinctive wing pattern.

Black Tailed Deer back in town.

Thanks to Paul and everyone else from Wildlife research for a great trip.  I wish I could have documented all the birds we saw because we saw a lot-maybe next time.  Please feel free to correct any birds I may have mislabelled.

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Hammond Oregon Elegant Terns Sept. 10 2013

We searched high and low in the Lincoln City and Newport area for Elegant Terns.  They were being reported at various locations and Hammond (close to Astoria) seemed to be the best bet but it was 85 miles away.  We decided to take a chance and pass by there on the way back home to BC.  Well we didn't even have to get out of the car as we pulled into Hammond Marina.  They were flying and roosting right in front of us as we parked.  We spent a half hour there and the following pictures captured some of the terns as they foraged and flew by.  They were impossible to count but I would guess 50-100.

A few shots of the Heerman Gulls to finish off the story.  

End of blog.

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Sept 4-9 2013 Oregon Coast

A week on the Oregon Coast is a nice break for someone who is a flatlander.  We stayed in a nice condo in Lincoln City, right on Siletz Bay.  Except for one day, we had sunshine.  Even the fog didn't hinder our search for birds.

We noticed a disturbing sight on the beach in front of the condo.  Some gulls had only one foot and this Western Gull had none.   I wonder if they are getting caught in nets or something and some sickie is getting his kicks.

This is how a Western Gull should be.

Brown Pelicans are always a treat to photograph.

These Pelagic Cormorants are either squabbling or one is begging for food.

Another Pelagic.                       

The youngsters are getting too much for the adult to handle.

Nice to get close enough for a Brandt's Cormorant.  This was taken at Yaquina Lighthouse as was the previous one.

Peregrine Falcons nested in the cliffs at Yaquina and this one remained.

Caspian Tern still feeding young at Newport.

This tern had us wondering and we finally decided it is a young Caspian although it is different from the young one above.

Great Egrets are quite common here and difficult to approach.

Black Oystercatchers at Seal Rocks.

 Black Turnstone here and below.  I originally thought this was a Ruddy because of the leg color but an ebird editor decided otherwise.

Black Turnstone at Seal Rocks.

Wandering Tattler.  Seal Rocks.

Pectoral Sandpiper. Newport.

Whimbrel.  Seal Rocks

Western Gull. Seal Rocks.

Harlequin Ducks. Seal Rocks

Marbled Murrelet.  Newport Jetty.

Marbled Murrelet chick.  Newport Jetty.  Another id I got wrong initially, as I thought it was a Common Murre.  An ebird editor set me straight.  However I still think it is a Murre chick.  See comment below.

The week went fast.  We tried hard to find Elegant Terns with no luck.  That means we may have to take a side trip to Astoria.  Stay tuned.

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