Yesterday afternoon, I observed a large alcid about 1/3 of the way out along the breakwater that appeared to be a common murre. broad of beam, and when compared to the herring gulls near it, larger than a guillemot. it had a dark back with a few white feathers towards the posterior. The "tailgate" had a midline dark vertical stripe. The bill was a bit shorter than I might have expected, and more triangular, and wider as it met the face. The markings on the face were crisp, with a sharp delineation, horizontal below the eye, between the dark above and the clear white lower cheek and throat. There was a finger of white feathers, a bit blurred, extending upwards behind the eye from the white cheek below. There was no mottling on the chest, which was a bright white, nor any observered on the shoulders. There was mottling on the distal flanks. The bird was not observed to dive or feed. Observed through the scope by me and Joan Mills. No camera available to digiscope, and out of range of my 300mm. Observed for about 15 minutes. Anyone else seeing this bird, I would appreciate opinions. Thanks. --
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