On Sunday afternoon, the Edmonds Seal Sitters hotline phone received several calls about an unusual bird in distress on Brackett’s Landing beach. “A couple of people said it looked very much like a penguin and asked Seal Sitters if they could help the creature, which seemed hurt and was being crowded by curious people,” said Seal Sitter founder Susan Morrow.
Morrow responded to the call and transferred the injured bird to the Lynnwood rehabilitation facility PAWS. The bird was black and white like a penguin, but was confirmed to be a murre.
“When you come across any wildlife on the Edmonds waterfront — seals or birds — please keep your distance and call the appropriate authorities for assistance,” Morrow said.
There has been a die-off this summer of common murres on the Washington coast, possibly related to a change in their food supply due to this year’s warming of the Pacific Ocean. Ailing murres may be making their way into Puget Sound.
A few weeks ago I saw what may have been one perched on the breakwater opposite the fishing per. It is very unusual to see them out of water.