Trip results: Oregon Seabirds: October 22, 2011

Mild seas, but a bit of early drizzle, met birders on The Bird Guide, Inc.'s final trip of the year.

Highlights included two LAYSAN ALBATROSSES and over 130 BLACK-FOOTED ALBATROSSES--always a crowd-pleaser!

A kaleidoscope of NORTHERN FULMAR plumages was present among over 600 birds, including several light phase birds.

A couple NORTHERN FUR SEALS presented their classic "jug handle" pose--holding their extremely long hind flippers in their front paws, and looking something like a flower watering jug.

Full trip report is here, including Wayne Hoffman's diving BLUE WHALE photo.

My trip photos.

Plan your next trip to see Oregon seabirds.

Trip results: Perptua Bank: October 8, 2011

Highlights from the 10-hour trip off Newport to the canyon between Heceta and Perpetua Bank included nearly 100 BLACK-FOOTED ALBATROSSES and over 300 NORTHERN FULMARS.

FORK-TAILED STORM-PETRELS are always a treat--and we saw over 30. We were able to compare field marks of RED and RED-NECKED PHALAROPES.

POMARINE JAEGERS were common, with over a dozen seen. Two SOUTH POLAR SKUAS made passes near the boat.

The rarest bird was a vagrant male BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLER about 20 miles to sea that followed our boat for a minute or two allowing decent photos!

Trip results are here, including a photo of the rare warbler by Jesse Hampton.

My photos from this trip.