Fork-tailed Storm-Petrels are generally common in the offshore waters of the Gulf of Alaska. Photo Aaron…
A New Species Documented in Alaska!
Big news on our 2013 Gulf of Alaska Pelagic trip (August 19-22)! Topping the list of highlights on the trip was a FLESH-FOOTED SHEARWATER, a species currently on Alaska’s Unsubstantiated List (photo M.Vaughn). Pending acceptance of our photos and report, Flesh-footed Shearwater will become the 500th species on the Alaska Checklist! Other highlights included: 8 Pink-footed Shearwater, 11 Buller’s Shearwaters, 50 Black-footed Albatross, 15 Fork-tailed Storm-Petrel, 1 Cassin’s Auklet, 40 Rhinocerous Auklets, 4 Sabine’s Gulls, Steller’s Sea Lion, Humpback and Beluga Whales, and two beautiful sunsets over the Gulf of Alaska.
Overall this was a fantastic four days of birding with a great group!
Update: The species was accepted to the Alaska Checklist and becomes the 500th species on the official checklist of Alaska birds.