On Sunday evening Mark Gleason and Martin Muller drove up from Seattle, met the Shaeen with crew of Bud, son Beau, and dog Kona at the dock, and sailed on the high tide to the site known as "Black Swift."
While Bud, Beau and Kona "manned" the boat Mark lugged rope (much appreciated) while Martin carried climbing and banding gear. Martin descended the short (10 feet) drop to the 4 feet long ledge, where the young retreated into a small cave (see photo below).
Two chicks at "Black Swift" after banding, standing in the small nest cave. Photo by Martin Muller.
The two chicks were perfect banding age (three weeks plus a day or so) and are now identified by the following bands: (both band size 7A)
1807-26986 (right) with vertical 99 over vertical R (left), and
1807-26987 (right) with vertical 00 over vertical S (left).
This brings the number of chicks banded for this season to 14, for (I believe) 18 active nests. An average of .78 young per active nest. Not very good. Bud is convinced it's weather related (rain during incubation).
