Saturday, March 24, 2018

RBA: 3 SHORT-TAILED ALBATROSSES off Tofino - March 24th

At 9am on March 24, 2018 on a pelagic trip out of Tofino on Ocean Outfitter's "Miss B. Haven," 13 birders saw three juvenile Short-tailed Albatrosses, one of the birds was banded and after photo review a partial band number was visible. We sent in the band and the researchers said he was banded on April 24, 2017 as a chick at Tori Island, Hachijo, Japan. His full band number is 13D9932.

The first Short-tailed Albatross was spotted by Mike Toochin and all birds were found on Clayquot Canyon with 400 Black-footed Albatross behind a trawler.

The birds stayed with the boat in close proximity (as close as 10 feet away) and allowed for great photos. The birds were present for the full 5 hours the birders were at the canyon.

Exact GPS location of birds HERE

Banded (R) Short-tailed Albatross off Tofino - Photo: Melissa Hafting
2 out of 3 Short-tailed Albatrosses off Tofino - Photo: Melissa Hafting
Short-tailed Albatross off Tofino - Photos: Melissa Hafting
Short-tailed Albatross off Tofino - Photo: Ilya Povalyaev

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