okaugust Posted January 9 Share Posted January 9 January 8, 2023, Barview Jetty, OR This is taken about 1.25 miles in from the end of the jetty on the ocean end, as it becomes the channel into Tillamook Bay. The high seas and winds and rain squalls had pushed Red Phalarope and Ancient Murrelet into the channel. The conditions were pretty rough for even seeing what was going on, with a lot of rain and sea spray and wind. I was mostly looking and shooting and hoping for the best. By the time I got done I was covered in salt. I drove back down to a small parking area where people mostly explore and fish and spotted this guy. I was thinking at the time it was another Ancient Murrelet, but I was getting better shots using the car as a wind break and staying in it. My next thought was Marbled Murrelet, but the beaks wrong. Then Rhinoceros Auklet, but while the coloring is similar to the young ones I've seen, the bill again doesn't seem right. That brought me to Cassin's Auklet, which I've never seen before, but I'm not seeing the eyebrow and blue eyes, which looking through eBird photos, doesn't always show up. Thoughts? e Just for fun, the conditions I was working with. This was in the afternoon, when things had settled down some. eBird checklist if you want to check my homework. https://ebird.org/checklist/S125717824 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Avery Posted January 9 Share Posted January 9 I’m not seeing anything else it could be other than a Cassin’s. The little eyebrow thing looks like it is there, but just muted. The bill shape is right on. Definitely wait for people with experience with seabirds though. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Connor Cochrane Posted January 9 Share Posted January 9 1 minute ago, Avery said: I’m not seeing anything else it could be other than a Cassin’s. The little eyebrow thing looks like it is there, but just muted. The bill shape is right on. Definitely wait for people with experience with seabirds though. Agreed, a Cassin's Auklet. It's pretty unique structurally among pacific seabirds (maybe a young Rhino looks a little similar). Most birds do show the typical white eyebrow but maybe 10-20% have it more muted like this. I don't know if those are immatures or adults with a more muted plumage. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
okaugust Posted January 9 Author Share Posted January 9 Woo! That's exciting. I've been hoping to spot one, as they get reported there occasionally. I've managed three life birds in about 24 hours. Common Crane, Brambling and now the Cassin's. Super excited, thanks! 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Birds are cool Posted January 9 Share Posted January 9 7 hours ago, okaugust said: Woo! That's exciting. I've been hoping to spot one, as they get reported there occasionally. I've managed three life birds in about 24 hours. Common Crane, Brambling and now the Cassin's. Super excited, thanks! Congrats! Common Crane is a really good bird. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Birds are cool Posted January 9 Share Posted January 9 7 hours ago, okaugust said: Woo! That's exciting. I've been hoping to spot one, as they get reported there occasionally. I've managed three life birds in about 24 hours. Common Crane, Brambling and now the Cassin's. Super excited, thanks! Congrats! Common Crane is a really good bird. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Birds are cool Posted January 9 Share Posted January 9 Double post. Internet's being really slow Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
okaugust Posted January 9 Author Share Posted January 9 (edited) I was pretty excited about it too. We almost went for one a couple of years ago from WY to ID but it stopped being reported. I was actually out from work sick when both were first reported, but held off because I really didn't feel well. But I got to the area, no cranes at all. Spent 45 minutes talking to a land owner, who said they weren't seen yesterday, and by that time they came in. It put me a little late to try for the Brambling, with more rain and bad light in the woods, but i gave it a go and after 90 minutes of stamping around in the rain, found it too. One of our favorite long time sayings, back when we started riding motorcycles, "I've been wetter....and colder...." LOL Edited January 9 by okaugust 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neilpa Posted January 10 Share Posted January 10 On 1/8/2023 at 9:00 PM, okaugust said: I've managed three life birds in about 24 hours. Common Crane, The one in Gray's Harbor, WA or is there another one in the PNW? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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