Guests and crew aboard a recent PSE Puffin Cruise were in for the surprise of a lifetime when we spotted a juvenile Nazca Booby hanging out on a kelp float around Smith Island!
This striking bird is a little far from home, with its usual range spanning from Mexico to the Galapagos Islands and down to Peru. It is theorized that this bird may have ended up in the Salish Sea by hitching a ride on a cargo ship.
Since August 25, we’ve been seeing this individual consistently around Smith Island; this series of sightings marks only the seventh time a Nazca Booby has been recorded in Washington State!
Photos: Tiana Cosette Photography
Birders, whether you’re a “lifer” or a new bird enthusiast, we have a trip for you! Each year, we offer Spring Migration Cruises, Puffin Cruises, Fall Migration Cruises, and a 3-Day Birdwatching Trip!