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Begin forwarded message:
From: Paul Lehman <lehman.paul1@xxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: May 21, 2016 at 10:57:18 AM
Subject: OR cruise results for posting
Shawneen/Dave:
Here are the highlights from yesterday, 20 May, from the Grand Princess.
Please post to OBOL along lines of "Hawaiian, Laysans, 2 Manx, tubenose
masses@ fish trawlers"
Here are our Oregon offshore waters highlights on 20 May 2016 from aboard the
southbound "Grand Princess." This trip unfortunately (or fortunately,
depending on your point of view) traversed the state's waters closer to shore
than usual--to the tune of 10+ miles closer. Thus we were lucky to get good
views at even just one Pterodroma petrel, but conversely, we had very large
numbers of several continental-shelf species that are normally much scarcer
farther offhsore. The clear highlight were the masses of birds behind a
sizebable armada of a dozen large, newish fishing trawlers located ca. 37 km
off Ophir/Nesika Beach in southern Curry County--the second of third year in
a row in May that we've encountered this fleet in this general area, and all
times with stacks of birds in attendance.
LAYSAN ALBATROSS: total of 3 singles, @ 74 km W of Yachats, 61 km W of
Lakeside, and 37 km off s. Curry
Black-footed Albatross: a very high total of 2500 birds for the day, 2000 of
which were associated with the trawler fleet off s. Curry
Northern Fulmar: 60 for the day, 30 with the trawler fleet, a reasonable
count for latter May
HAWAIIAN PETREL: 1 bird close to the ship (photo'd) @ ca. 61 km off
Winchester Bay (43.62, 124.98)
Sooty Shearwater: total of 20,000 for the day, with 10,000 of these
associated with the Curry Co. trawler fleet
MANX SHEARWATER: 2 singles seen well, 1 photo'd @ 64 km off Winchester Bay
(43.70, 124.99) and 1 with trawlers @ ca. 37 km off s. Curry (42.53, 124.86)
Fork-tailed Storm-Petrel: good total of 625 birds for the day, with 400 of
these at a single slick 70 km off Florence
South Polar Skua: total of 4 singles, @ 78 km W of Agate Beach, 77 km W of
Seal Rock, 61 km off Winchester Bay, & 44 km WSW of s. Curry
Herring Gull: 3 lingerers still offshore
Glaucous-winged Gull: 6 lingerers included an adult 54 km off Coos Bay,
perhaps late for this age-class (?)
Eurasian Collared-Dove: 1 was 64 km off Winchester Bay
--Paul Lehman, San Diego
