Friday, November 7, 2025
Pelagic birds are residents of the open ocean. They spend most of their lives flying the “Seven Seas” to visit seasonal seafood buffets. Thurston County birders generally need to drive down to the coast or hop on a boat that will take you out to sea.
A newcomer to the world of ocean-dwelling birds may ask: How do these birds survive for months at a time in a salty sea? What do they drink?
Most pelagic bird species have an interesting physiological feature called a tubenose. These birds have only seawater to drink and must excrete excess salt. Their tubenose is an enlarged nasal gland at the base of their bills, above their eyes. This gland removes salt that then drips from the nostril. For some species, the tubenose is obvious and helps with species identification.
For an ocean-dwelling bird, it’s a lifesaving bit of evolution. But you may wonder what it would be like to have a dripping nose for your whole life.
In recent weeks several pelagic species — tubenoses — have been seen flying over Central Puget Sound waters and as far south as Point Defiance and Commencement Bay. Most prominently reported were small flocks of two very similar shearwater species — sooty shearwater and short-tailed shearwater. The largest flock reported was 200-plus birds, and there is a reasonable chance that they will continue their wandering south into Thurston County.
A sooty shearwater showing white underwing patch.
Liam Hutcheson | For The JOLT News
These two species are very similar. They are gull-sized, with long pointed wings suitable for gliding over ocean waves. That gliding likely accounts for their common name, because from a distance they seen to cut through the waves. Both species are primarily dark gray, sometimes with a brownish hue, and they are most likely to be seen in a flock seeking small fish shoals that provide feeding opportunities.
It is most common to see these two species in flight, as shown in Liam’s photos, and the best way to distinguish between them is the appearance of their underwings. The sooty will have a whiteish patch on the underside of the wing that will seem to “flash” as you watch. The underwings of short-tailed birds are more uniformly light gray. There also are other more subtle distinctions. The dominant species seen this past week is short-tailed, with only a few sooty being reported.
A short-tailed shearwater.
Liam Hutcheson | For The JOLT News
Mixed in with the shearwaters people have recently seen another unusual pelagic species: a single northern fulmar. This species is very rarely seen from land. Fulmars look vaguely gull-like, but they are thicker and have a prominent and easily seen tubenose. The one seen this week is uniformly gray (see Liam’s photos). Look for this bird over open water in the general vicinity of the shearwaters.
A northern fulmar in flight features a prominent tubenose.
Liam Hutcheson | For The JOLT News
The northern fulmar has a distinct tubenose.
Liam Hutcheson | For The JOLT News
There are, not surprisingly, any number of gulls visible wherever you look for shearwaters. Among the gulls reported from near Point Defiance was a one usually only seen along the coast — the black-legged kittiwake. This is a medium-sized gull and is readily identified by its unique wing color patterns. Their breeding grounds are cliffs in the Arctic cliffs; their remarkable common name, kittiwake, is an imitation of its vocalizations, commonly heard on its breeding territory.
A black-legged kittiwake juvenile.
Liam Hutcheson | For The JOLT News
The kittiwake being seen in the Tacoma area is a juvenile with a black nape splotch and a black leading edge to its white and gray wings. It also has a black band at the end of its tail feathers. Liam’s photo shows the juveniles feather pattern perfectly.
Perhaps the best Thurston County place to see pelagic visitors is from Luhr Beach at the northwest corner of the Nisqually Delta. From there you can scan the open waters of the Nisqually Reach, a likely feeding area for shearwaters. You can reach this Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife access site by driving north on Meridian Road from the Hawks Prairie area of Lacey.
Before taking on this challenge, however, I suggest you study the accounts of these and other marine birds in your favorite bird book. In fact, this time of year is a good time to review all the various marine birds that sometimes spend the winter in Thurston County.
Or, you also might try your luck at a popular Tacoma birding location: the Dune Peninsula at Point Defiance Park. This site is located near the Point Defiance/Vashon Island ferry dock; it’s the peninsula that helps define the Tacoma Yacht Club boat basin east of the ferry landing and has abundant parking available.
Judging from the number of e-bird reports, it’s likely that you will encounter one or more of the serious Tacoma birders using their powerful telescopes to seek out those elusive pelagic visitors.
As of last weekend (Oct. 4-5), the two rare godwit species were still being seen at the Tokeland marina and boat basin. They are hidden in the large marbled godwit flock, so it’s a challenge to pick them out of the crowd. If you decide to give it a try, check the tide table and plan to be there two to three hours before the high tide.
George Walter is environmental program manager at the Nisqually Indian Tribe’s natural resources department; he also has a 45+ year interest in bird watching. He may be reached at george@theJOLTnews.com
Photos for this column are provided by Liam Hutcheson, an 18-year-old Olympia area birder and avid photographer.
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staynavytom
I saw four brown pelicans at Swantown Marina last week. Unmistakable with their swimming actions and chin tuck.
Thursday, October 9 Report this
Terrilovesanimals
Fascinating! And they are so cute! I had no idea!
Friday, October 10 Report this