For the first time in 99 years Common Murres are nesting in California’s Channel Islands. Prince Island is hosting the nesting seabirds, one of thirteen nesting seabird species there. Here’s hoping that lots of young fledge and this colony lasts a very, very, very long time!
Corey is a New Yorker who lived most of his life in upstate New York but has lived in Queens since 2008. He's only been birding since 2005 but has garnered a respectable life list by birding whenever he wasn't working as a union representative or spending time with his family. He lives in Forest Hills with Daisy, their son, Desmond Shearwater, and their indoor cat, B.B. His bird photographs have appeared on the Today Show, in Birding, Living Bird Magazine, Bird Watcher's Digest, and many other fine publications. He is also the author of the American Birding Association Field Guide to the Birds of New York.
Just as an aside: It’s a major spectacle every June on the North Sea Island of Helgoland to watch the 3 week-old Common Murre chicks jump from their nests more than 100 feet high on the cliffs into the water below following the call of their parents. This usually takes place at dusk when the waters are calm. Since observers have to stay overnight it’s a major source of income to the islanders.