[obol] Manx Shearwater and other sightings, Depoe Bay/Lincoln City

[Matt Brady]

Hi Birders.  Today, while conducting an at-sea Marbled Murrelet survey, Ryan Terrill, Alexis Will and I saw a Manx Shearwater.  The bird was about 7 kilometers south of Lincoln City, perhaps 1000 meters out to sea.  We chased the bird for several minutes in our Boston Whaler, but, due to the 4 foot swell we were unable to catch it, though we did keep up with it.  

We had several other interesting observations today, including 60+ Marbled Murrelets ~500 meters out to sea off the beach south of Lincoln City; several dozen Cassin's Auklets between 1500 and 3000 meters off Lincoln city; a small Gray Whale just outside of Depoe Bay harbor; 300+ White-winged Scoters, mostly in two large flocks (contrasting with just two Surf Scoters); 9 Elegant Terns, the first we've had in Oregon this season; and just the second baby Marbled Murrelet we have encountered this season.  All in all it was a fun day to be at sea off central Oregon!

Matt Brady