I've also seen large storm-related mixed groups of Herring/Thayer's
(always with at least a small amount of Cal) standing well out on
the Siuslaw deflation plain, on the tip of Netarts spit, and of course
many times in mid Siletz Bay - places not prone to human traffic.
Sometimes these have numbered into the low thousands. There
was even one year when I caught a post-storm mass exodus of one
large group flying over the Salishan Spit and back out to sea. It is
interesting that these groups always have virtually no Westerns mixed
in, and typically only lesser numbers of Glacous-winged if they are
present.
Additionally lesser but similar traffic typically shows up during winter
storms along the open beaches, places like the Yaquina gull puddle
etc.
Can't remember when or what it was but I have a vague recollection
of a study years ago suggesting male/female adult Thayer's may
largely segregate in winter, with male groups tending to be more
pelagic.
Phil
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