Chasing Alcids-- Looking for advice (1 Viewer)

[Barr Tender]

Hi folks-- we're two birders from Denver who have birded the Oregon Coast, et al some years ago (and loved it!). We're looking for a shot in the arm for our life lists, and we're very thin on Alcids. We were there in early fall some years back, but I assume breeding season is when we might have luck seeing them on nesting colonies. We've seen Common Murre and Pigeon Guillemot, and need anything else we can get our eyes on.

The Tufted Puffin colony on Haystack Rock seems an obvious place to start. Any advice as to date ranges and places with good odds for Alcids would be greatly appreciated.

We're also pathetically low on pelagic birds, so if combining a breeding season shoreline trip with a same-time-of-year pelagic trip, we're all for it.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions!

- Dave in Denver

 

[Andrew Whitehouse]

A good pelagic trip on the west coast for a wide range of birds is from Westport, WA:

2022 Schedule | Westport Seabirds

westportseabirds.com

You should get Cassin's and Rhinoceros Auklet fairly easily, in addition to the alcids you've already seen.

 

[Jim M.]

Pacific Northwest or southern California can be good, but afaik trips from around Monterey or Half Moon bays in California should give you the most diversity of pelagic birds/alcids in the US in a trip or two. I went in September and it was great; different times will give you somewhat different species. Check websites of those who offer trips for details of what occurs when. You don't need to do a shoreline trip to see alcids.

 

[Mysticete]

Monterey Bay is great. I did my very first pelagic there and got a considerable haul of nice birds. I've never done a westport pelagic, but have only heard good things.

Santa Barbara can also be a good spot, although depending on time of year you might get less alcids, if those are your focus.