Today was a midday to gather with fellow birders at the recent Pierce County hotspot, the Gig Harbor Viewpoint off 5-Mile Drive at Point Defiance. I got there about 10:45 (the drive is closed to traffic until 10 AM) just as Ken Brown was bringing Sophie (his dog) through the hole in the fence. Already there were Bruce Labar (the reason everyone was coming, to try to find the vagrants he has found over the last 2 days at this spot) and Michael Hobbs were already watching the Parasitic Jaegers harass the few gulls present. Marv Breese showed up shortly thereafter and we all had a great time looking at several Cassin’s aucklets, Parasitic Jaegers, various gulls, Rhionceros aucklets, Bald Eagles, cormorants, and scoters. Overall the jaegers and Cassin’s aucklets were the highlights, and the fellowship with great birders was a huge bonus. I stayed until about 2 PM when I started get cold. See checklist.
Tag: Cassin’s Aucklet
Cassin’s Aucklet Today
About 11:30 AM today Bruce texted to let me know he had a Cassin’s Aucklet off Dash point. I had to work the Rotary Lot 1-5 today so was not able to dash over. I thought it was unlikely the bird would remain long, but after dinner Kay and I went over to check it out and watch the sunset. Nothing at all at Dash Point, but at Brown’s Point Lighthouse sure enough the CAAU was in flat water, just about 200-250 M off shore. We had nice if distant looks, and are confident of the ID. Digiscope attempts in waning light were useless, but the small size, round head, very pointy bill, grayish color overall with whiter below just at the water without a sharp demarcation line, lack of white wing patch and no strong head pattern exclude most other options, and the general shape especially head shape exclude MAMU. A Pierce first for us.