March 30th, 2014

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Low Tide: 0.0' @ 7:04 AM

The final day of Oregon's Spring break was windy and overcast once again. Staff and volunteers were on the beach just after sunrise to greet the early morning visitors to Haystack Rock. Our highest count was 12 people in the intertidal.

It was an exciting day for birding though! We saw our first returning Pigeon Guillemots (Cepphus columba) of the season. These small black birds with white wings bars are related to Tufted Puffins (Fratercula cirrhata) and Common Murres (Uria aalge), all members of the Auk family. They are a diving sea bird, foraging for small fish, crustaceans, and other invertebrates. They nest low on the cliffs of Haystack Rock and are therefore very susceptible to human disturbance. Listen for their low and quick, whittle-like call while you explore the intertidal!

Photo Credit: Susan Glarum

Staff and volunteers also spotted our juvenile Black Oystercatcher (Haematopus bachmani) with it's parents and numerous Harlequin Ducks (Histrionicus histrionicus)

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