The Status and Occurrence of Short-tailed Albatross (Phoebastria albatrus) in British Columbia. By Rick Toochin. Published: October 14, 2024.

The Short-tailed Albatross (Phoebastria albatrus) is a large graceful pelagic species that is found both as a breeder and as a non-breeder in the north Pacific Ocean where it likes to feed in areas of upwellings and concentrations (Howell 2012). Most birds forage in areas of upwelling along the edge of the continental shelf, primarily where the water is 200-1,000 m in depth (Carboneras et al. 2020). This species rarely forages in waters that are shallower than 200 m or deeper than 1,000 m, and juveniles typically forage in shallower and more nearshore waters than adults (Carboneras et al. 2020). The diet of the Short-tailed Albatross is not fully known, but does include squid, fish, fish eggs, and crustaceans (shrimp, etc.), and it has been observed scavenging blubber at the carcasses of marine mammals (Walker et al. 2015). In historical times, there is evidence that it may have scavenged salmon carcasses at the mouths of coastal rivers (Carboneras et al. 2020). Most food is consumed at or near the surface of the water. This species forages alone or associates with mixed species feeding flocks of seabirds that include fulmars, shearwaters, kittiwakes, and other albatrosses (Carboneras et al. 2020). In areas where it occurs in numbers, it sometimes forms small (or, rarely, large) flocks, but most birds occur singly (Carboneras et al. 2020). Although the Short-tailed Albatross has been reported to be somewhat more timid and less likely to approach ships than other albatrosses, it still regularly follows ships to forage on the discarded offal (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 2008).

This species mostly breeds on steep slopes of volcanic ash, thinly vegetated with (Miscanthus sinensis) and (Chrysanthemum pacificum) on Torishima Island, in Izu Islands, off southeastern Japan, and on two of the Senkaku Islands in the southern Ryukyus Islands; and has bred occasionally on Midway Atoll (BirdLife International 2022). 

At the end of the 2013-2014 breeding season, the global population of Short-tailed Albatross was estimated to be 4,200 individuals, with 3,540 birds on Torishima Island, and 650 birds on the two islands in the East China Sea and 10 birds on Ogasawara Islands (Birdlife International 2022).  Whereas in late 1980s it was thought that the overall population was as low as 300–400 individuals, with maximum of c. 165 adults seen in 1987, and about 70 chicks successfully reared most years; birds have been persuaded to move and set up a new colony 2 km from first by using recorded calls of the species and up to 100 lifelike replicas (Takashi 2000). Breeding also recently confirmed in March 1991 (Tickell 2000) on Minami-kojima in south Ryukyu Island; by the late 2000s, 20% of overall population were present in these islands (Eda and Higuchi 2012); including nearby islet of Kita-kojima (Kuro-o et al. 2010), and, in 2010, a nesting pair was observed on Kure Atoll, in the Hawaiian Islands, but probably comprised two females and was unsuccessful, while one chick  was produced on Midway Atoll (Carboneras et al. 2020). Furthermore, a pair laid an egg on Mukojima, Ogasawara Island, in December 2012 (van den Berg and Haas 2013), the result of a reintroduction project involving the transportation and hand-rearing of 40 post-guard phase chicks from Torishima Island in February 2008–2010 (Deguchi et al. 2012). Fledging success of these relocated young was 100% in all three years, with body sizes at fledging like or greater than chicks reared naturally on Torishima Island (Deguchi et al. 2012). In May 2014, a chick was discovered on Nakodojima, another island 5 km south of Mukojima. Regularly observed in recent years on Northern Three Islets off north of Taiwan (Fang 2004). Population increasing apparently due to combination of high annual breeding success (≥ 54%) and high adult and juvenile survival (≥ 95% and ≥ 91%, respectively) (Zador et al. 2008). Formerly abundant in Izu and Bonin Islands, south of Japan, where nested on at least 11 islands and might have numbered up to 100,000 pairs (Tickell 2000); disastrous decline around turn of 20th century due to feather collection (157 tonnes were exported from islands in ten years post 1896) (Brooke 2004) and volcanic eruption in August 1902, during the non-breeding season, almost leading to the species extinction; with further eruptions in 1939 and 1941; feather collecting banned in 1906, but continued into 1930s, (e.g. 3000 were killed in 1932–1933) (Brooke 2004), when became uneconomical due to small size of the albatross population (Carboneras et al. 2020). No breeding during the 1940s, and species thought to be extinct; a few birds returned to Torishima Island in 1950 and made first breeding attempts in 1954 (Carboneras et al. 2020). Legal protection at breeding station since 1957, where vegetation managed since 1981 to increase reproductive output, with stabilizing of steep slopes of volcanic ash (Carboneras et al. 2020). Main problems include fact that Torishima Island (a National Wildlife Protection Area) is an active volcano (and is also threatened by typhoons), although recent modelling research suggests that even modest increases in the species’ exposure to oil-based contaminants and possibility of fishery bycatch are likely to be of greater long-term significance (Finkelstein et al. 2010); also many black rats (Rattus rattus) and house mice (Mus musculus) in breeding zone, and formerly feral cats, which recently died out (Carboneras et al. 2020). Mice are not direct predators of albatross chicks, but they chew vegetation exacerbating erosion, which is a significant problem on the island, and affect Tristram’s Storm-Petrels (Hydrobates tristrami) (Rauzon 2007). Historical declines were driven by exploitation, the species being targeted primarily for its feathers, but also eggs and oil (ACAP 2009). Formerly, this species was much more widespread in northwestern Pacific east to Bonin Island, but now is a very rare species that is still encountered on occasion. Legally protected in Japan, Canada, and United States, and has recently been listed within the Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels (Cooper et al. 2009). Today, the main threat is posed by commercial fisheries (Carboneras et al. 2020). The species’ distribution overlaps with fisheries that occur in the shallower waters along continental shelf break and slope regions, e.g., Sablefish (Anoplopoma fimbria) and Pacific Halibut (Hippoglossus stenolepis) longline fisheries off the coasts of Alaska and British Columbia (Guy et al. 2013). The species is known to be killed in United States and Russian longline fisheries for Pacific Cod (Gadus microcephalus) and halibut (Birdlife International 2022). Since 1983, a total of 15 birds have been reported killed by fishing gear (USFWS 2012), but it is widely considered that the actual mortality from bycatch is considerably higher (USFWS 2008, COSEWIC 2013). Although there have been no reports of this species being taken in demersal longline fisheries in British Columbia, it has been suggested that one to two birds could be taken each year (COSEWIC 2013). Birds on Torishima Island have been observed with swallowed hooks that can be traced back to the Japanese fisheries that operate near the island (ACAP 2009). Other threats include mortality and habitat loss from the active volcano on Torishima Island, typhoons, and potential oil spills (Birdlife International 2022). Models have shown that even small increases in chronic mortality rates, such as those resulting from bycatch, would have a greater impact on population trend than stochastic and theoretically catastrophic events, such as volcanic eruptions (Finkelstein et al. 2010). Many birds spend non-breeding season within operational zone of Alaskan groundfish trawl fisheries, which take many tubenoses as incidental bycatch, although the current expected take of the Short-tailed Albatross is seemingly just over two birds in any five-year period (six were reported as taken in 1987–1999) (Cousins et al. 2000), with modelling suggesting that the current population could withstand such a threat even if it increased by a factor of ten (Zador et al. 2008). At-sea threats exacerbated by fact that birds concentrate into predictable hotspots (Piatt et al. 2006). Mitigation measures have been established in Alaska demersal longline fishery and in Hawaii-based pelagic longline fishery: streamer lines (both heavyweight and lightweight lines) designed to keep birds from longline hooks as they are set are distributed free to Alaskan long liners, and in 2006 Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission passed measure that requires large tuna and swordfish longline vessels (> 24 m long) to use combination of two bycatch mitigation measures N of 23’ N. Given population bottleneck through which species obviously passed during central third of 20th century, inbreeding depression could have negatively affected its genetic diversity; however, recent research suggests this albatross’ mtDNA shows higher diversity than most birds and, despite not being very great compared to other species of albatross, seems to have preserved most haplotypes in the founder population (Kuro-o et al. 2010).

In 2001 and 2007, respectively, the United States and Canada released National Plans of Action to reduce the bycatch of seabirds in longline fisheries (NMFS 2001, DFO 2007). In 2002, the use of tori (streamer) lines became a mandatory condition of licence in commercial halibut, sablefish, and rockfish (Sebastes spp.) longline fisheries on Canada’s west coast (DFO 2007). In 2003, the Committee on the Conservation of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) assessed that the Short-tailed Albatross as Threatened in Canada (COSEWIC 2003); and in 2005, the species was added to Schedule 1 of Canada’s Species at Risk Act, as Threatened (EC 2008). In 2008, Canada and the USA released final recovery strategies for the species (USFWS 2008); and in 2013, the Short-tailed Albatross was re-assessed by COSEWIC; and once again it was listed as Threatened (COSEWIC 2013). Mitigation measures have been established in the Alaska demersal longline fishery and in the Hawaii-based pelagic longline fishery (NOAA 2008). Streamer lines (both heavy weight lines for large boats and lightweight lines for smaller vessels) have been designed to keep birds from longline hooks as they are set, and these are being distributed free of charge to the Alaskan longline fleet (USFWS 2008), though they are not deployed in near-shore waters. In 2006, the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission passed a measure which requires large tuna and swordfish longline vessels (>24m long) to use a combination of two seabird bycatch mitigation measures when fishing north of 23 degrees North. 

The movements of the Short-tailed Albatross are poorly known, but probably disperses widely in the north Pacific above 30’ North, reaching the Gulf of Alaska, and the west coast of North America (Howell 2012). During breeding season, records concentrated in region of Northwestern Pacific southeast of Honshu Japan, but numbers decline in May and birds head north; with maximum numbers (gatherings of over 100 birds around fishing boats) (Howell 2012) occur in Bering Sea to at least 60’ North (Camp 1993) and off Aleutians in June–August (though records also span from March–October) (Howell 2012), with some birds occasionally entering Sea of Okhotsk (Tickell 2000). Satellite tracking indicates that, during post-breeding period, females spend more time off Japan and Russia, while males and juveniles move further north and east, around the Aleutian Islands, Bering Sea, and off western North America (Suryan et al. 2007); furthermore, juveniles known to travel twice the distance per day and spend more time over continental shelf waters than adults (Suryan et al. 2007). 

Along the West Coast of North America, south of Alaska, this is one of the most sought-after pelagic species. It is a very rare but annual visitor. There are 41 accepted records of the Short-tailed Albatross by the California Bird Records Committee (Hamilton et al. 2007, Tietz and McCaskie 2020). There are 19 accepted records for Oregon by the Oregon Bird Records Committee (OFO 2020). In Washington State, there are 29 accepted records by the Washington Bird Records Committee (Wahl et al. 2005, WBRC 2020).  West Coast records are year-round, but mostly occur from August –April and immatures make up most records, mainly since the 1980s (Howell 2012). In British Columbia, the Short-tailed Albatross is a very rare, but regular species with over 50 provincial records (Toochin et al. 2018, see Table 1). There is also a record of an adult bird found off western Mexico at 19’26’ N 110’44’ W near Revillagigedo Islands on April 29, 1990. (Santaella and Sada 1991). 

Several recent records from Hawaii, including a ringed adult that visited Midway Island regularly since 1972, and two recent breeding attempts (Carboneras et al. 2020).

The identification of the Short-tailed Albatross is covered in all standard North American field guides. This a large species measuring 80–94 cm in length (Howell 2012); weighing 5100–7500 grams (Tickell 2000); and with a wingspan 213–240 cm (Howell 2012). Adult birds are the only white-backed albatross in north Pacific, and pale pink bill is useful clue for most ages. 

Adult has white upperparts except diffuse but obvious apricot or buffy-yellow tinge on head and neck, being especially obvious on rear crown and upper hindneck (Howell 2012). The upperwing  black with large white wedge  extending from scapulars and second large white patch on inner secondary coverts, these two areas connected by variable area of white over proximal lesser coverts, white shafts on primaries; underwing mostly white, surrounded by narrow black margin broadest on outer primaries (Onley and Scofield 2007) The tail is black with a white base, but no shorter than those of other northern Pacific albatrosses (Onley and Scofield 2007) The underparts are white (Dunn and Alderfer 2011). The iris is very dark; bill light pink with pale cerulean blue tip, narrow but contrasting black line around bill-base, sometimes also along gape; legs pale bluish grey to grey, often with variable amount of pink on webs and partly on toes and tarsus (Onley and Scofield 2007). Sexes alike, although adult males tend to attain whitest plumage and to develop this more quickly (Howell 2012). 

Juvenile has blackish-brown plumage with small whitish areas below eye and around bill, at least on chin, more diffuse than white foreface of juvenile Black-footed Albatross, differing also from that species in paler and much larger bill (Howell 2012); Aberrant juvenile Laysan Albatross might also resemble present species, but are also separated using bill size and colour (Howell 2012). Subsequent immature plumages show greater extent of white on foreface and postocular line, abdomen largely whitish, the upperparts becoming more scaly or blotchy, upperwing with characteristic square white patch on inner secondary coverts, underwing with some whitish appearing on primary coverts (Onley and Scofield 2007). The bill soon is like that of adult, but the legs usually darker grey; subadult plumage has much greater extent of white on back to uppertail-coverts, underwing and underparts including foreneck, but retains dark brown nape and hindneck, white on base of tail (Onley and Scofield 2007). As birds age, look much as adult but white areas less clean, the amount of white on upperwing increasing with age and individually variable (Howell 2012). Males may attain full adult plumage by ten years old, but some breeding females have still to attain this state when 14 years old (Howell 2012).

This species is considerably larger and heavier than any other albatross species occurring in British Columbia, and this should be obvious in any side-by-side comparison with other species (Dunn and Alderfer 2011). Most individuals observed in North America are juveniles or very young immatures, which are most likely to be confused with the much more abundant and widespread Black-footed Albatross (Sibley 2000, Howell 2012).Juvenile Short-tailed Albatross is immediately distinguished, however, by its massive and bright pink bill whereas the bill of Black-footed Albatross usually dark, rarely dusky-pink, but never bright pink (Onley and Scofield 2007). This feature alone should be sufficient to identify virtually any juvenile Short-tailed Albatross. Subadult Short-tailed Albatrosses, with their black-and-white plumage, may potentially be confused with Laysan Albatross, but never show the solidly dark brown upperparts and upper wings of that species whereas on Short-tailed Albatross the back and upperwing coverts always show some white patches or mottling (Sibley 2000). As well, Short-tailed Albatross never shows the dark smudge around the eye as is present in Laysan Albatross, which makes the eye much more prominent on the largely pale or whitish face (Dunn and Alderfer 2011). The bill of Laysan Albatross is pale and pinkish, like Short-tailed Albatross, but is not as bright pink nor is it as massive as in that species (Howell 2012).

The Short-tailed Albatross is one of the most sought-after pelagic bird species in British Columbia. This species has been slowly increasing in records as the species rebounded back from the brink of extinction from the 1940s into the 1990s. Since 1991 there have been 55 recent records with the vast majority involving immature birds which fits the pattern of dispersal found in the North Pacific (Toochin et al. 2018, see Table 1). Though there are records involving adult birds, in overall number they are far fewer than immature birds (Toochin et al. 2018, see Table 1). Many of the records for British Columbia come from fisheries personal aboard fishing boats off either Haida Gwaii or Vancouver Island, and there also many records from research vessels as well (Toochin et al. 2018, see Table 1). There are very few records from organized pelagic trips, but this is likely since there are limitations in getting offshore in winter months when encountering Short-tailed Albatross is more probable. Almost all records are of birds that were moving along the continental shelf break region that runs offshore of North America and in British Columbia runs from the west coast of Vancouver Island north past Haida Gwaii. Some records have been seen relatively close to shore and occurred either during severe weather events or due to special circumstances where water temperatures effected food supply. Most records come from the waters off Haida Gwaii, despite almost no coverage by observers, with 25 records but 2 of these also involved satellite tracked birds that also moved along the west coast of Vancouver Island. Though currently there are no organized pelagic trips out of Haida Gwaii, it is very likely that such trips would yield results quickly. Satellite tracked birds have shown that Short-tailed Albatross spend time moving along the continental shelf break region off Haida Gwaii and off the northern tip of Vancouver Island (Cecile 2007a). The highest number of provincial records come from the west coast of Vancouver Island with 29 records but 2 of these also involved satellite tracked birds that also moved along the west coast of Haida Gwaii.  If there were regularly organized pelagic trips off the northern tip of Vancouver Island to the waters well west of Triangle Island and the Brooks Peninsula, it is very likely that more Short-tailed Albatross would be recorded. Satellite tracking of individual birds showed that they regularly pass by this region during the fall from September 12 – November 1, 2006 (Cecile 2007a).

 

Historically there is at least one specimen record from Esquimalt Lagoon near Victoria on June 4, 1893 (Macoun and Macoun 1909) and there 5 recent records for the Juan de Fuca Strait (also called the western Salish Sea), plus specimen record of 2 birds; a male and juvenile female, from the Juan de Fuca Strait (no date given), from 1889 (Campbell et al. 1990a). The authors did extensive sea watches of both the Juan de Fuca Strait and at the mouth of the Juan de Fuca off Port Renfrew from 2006-2009. During this period 2 different Short-tailed Albatrosses were encountered. The first record was observed by the authors close to shore in telescopes of an immature or sub-adult bird that was in the company of over 50+ Black-footed Albatrosses following the Seiner fishing boat the Osprey off Port Renfrew on August 8, 2009 (R. Toochin Pers. Comm.). This bird followed the ship into the Juan de Fuca Strait and was refound by whale watching captain Russ Nicks off Sheringham Lighthouse in the company of Black-footed Albatross and many shearwater species on August 12, 2009 (R. Nicks Pers. Comm.). Unfortunately, photographs from shore were not possible and Capt. Nick’s camera battery died before he could get shots of the Short-tailed Albatross (R. Nicks Pers. Comm.). He did get excellent views of the bird and was able video of one of the Black-footed Albatross in the area. The Albatross and the shearwaters were present due to warm ocean water that had come across from Hawaii that had pushed on shore along the coast of North America, effectively pushing the fish and prey species close to shore (M. Meredith Pers. Comm.). The result was a rare opportunity to see shearwaters and albatrosses close to shore. Once the offshore fishing fleet got word that started to fish the prey species hard, dumping by-catch right into the waters of the Juan de Fuca (R. Nicks Pers. Comm.). The result was a feeding frenzy of thousands of birds which were witnessed by many and included several boats trips. The albatross would follow certain ships and wait for them to raise their nets and start dumping the bycatch. This was watched from Sheringham Lighthouse by the authors and other observers affording incredible views of pelagic species not normally found so close to shore. A single Short-tailed Albatross was amongst these birds. 

 

Of note was another immature bird that was observed by the authors at the mouth of the Juan de Fuca Strait off Port Renfrew during a large northwesterly wind and rainstorm on March 28, 2009 (L. Haviland Pers. Comm.). This bird was later found out to have been satellite tagged and was tracked moving into this area (R. Toochin Pers. Comm.). The mouth of the Juan de Fuca Strait can be a very good place to observe pelagic species from shore, especially during stormy weather. Surveys conducted by the authors from 2006-2009 produced many sightings of Black-footed Albatross from shore and included a couple of Laysan Albatross as well. It is very likely that future efforts in this area will continue to produce both Albatross and shearwaters as over a four-year period the authors found these birds on a regular basis. Another immature bird was found by one of the authors during a severe rain and windstorm from Port Renfrew area on October 31, 2015 (Toochin et al. 2018, see Table 1). Thus, showing that the birds of 2009 were not a one of event.

 

As with any pelagic bird, more access and coverage of the habitat by keen observers should produce more records in the future. If the overall population stays stable or continues to increase, there should continue to be records of this graceful seabird in British Columbia in the future.

 

1.(2) male and juvenile female (no date), 1889 (specimen male: RBCM 1491 & female RBCM 1492) Juan de Fuca Strait (Campbell et al. 1990a)

2.(1) unknown age June 4, 1893: W. Spreadborough (found dead) Esquimalt Lagoon (Macoun and Macoun 1909)

3.(1) immature June 11, 1960: G. Clifford Carl (RBCM Photo 296) 64 km west of Vancouver Island (50.50°N, 129.00°W) (Campbell et al. 1990a)

4.(1) immature July 30, 1991: Ken Morgan (47°48’ N, 133°35’ W) (Kenyon et al. 2009)   

5.(1) immature February 23, 1996: John Anderson: 70 NM west of Ucluelet-Tofino (48°41’ N, 126°41’ W)(Bowling 1996a, Davidson 1999)

6.(1) sub-adult October 22, 1996: Russell Cameron (photo) off north coast of Haida Gwaii (53°53’ N, 133°32’ W)(Davidson 1999)

7.(1) no age given November 17, 1997: West of Haida Gwaii (53.00°N, 134.00°W) (Kenyon et al. 2009)  

8.(1) no age given March 23, 1998: West of Haida Gwaii (53.00°N, 134.00°W) (Kenyon et al. 2009)  

9.(1) no age given January 17, 1999: north side of Haida Gwaii (54.15°N, 133.68°W) (Kenyon et al. 2009)  

10.(1) immature January 19-22, 1999: Reisa Latora (photo) Whaleback Fishing Grounds off Langara Island, Haida Gwaii (54°09’N, 133°37’W) (Toochin et al. 2018)

11.(1) adult May 8, 1999: Mike Bentley: off Vancouver Island (50°45’ N, 129°20’ W) (Kenyon et al. 2009)  

12.(1) immature July 25, 1999: Julie Kellicutt (photo) northeast of Kunghit Island, off Cape St. James, Haida Gwaii (52°10’ N 130°19’ W) (Toochin et al. 2018)

13.(1) immature July 2, 2000: Mike Bentley: off Vancouver Island (50°44’ N, 129°24’ W) (Kenyon et al. 2009)    

14.(1) immature September 8, 2000: Mike Bentley: off Vancouver Island (49°02’ N, 131°39’ W) (Kenyon et al. 2009)  

15.(1) no age given October 30, 2000: off Haida Gwaii (53.25°N, 132.93°W) (Kenyon et al. 2009)  

16.(1) no age given October 30, 2000: off Haida Gwaii (51.84°N, 130.60°W) (Kenyon et al. 2009)  

17.(1) no age given November 10, 2000: off Haida Gwaii (51.56°N, 129.71°W) (Kenyon et al. 2009)  

18.(1) no age given November 11, 2000: off Haida Gwaii (51.57°N, 129.69°W) (Kenyon et al. 2009)  

19.(1) immature September 2, 2001: Tracee Geernaert (photo) east of Moresby Island, Haida Gwaii (52°21’N, 130°45’W) (Toochin et al. 2018)

20.(1) no age given August 21, 2001: off Haida Gwaii (52.39°N, 130.78°W) (Kenyon et al. 2009)  

21.(1) no age given August 25, 2001: off Haida Gwaii (51.93°N, 131.02°W) (Kenyon et al. 2009)  

22.(1) no age given October 14, 2001: off Haida Gwaii (53.98°N, 133.67°W) (Kenyon et al. 2009)  

23.(1) no age given October 27, 2001: off Haida Gwaii (51.87°N, 130.63°W) (Kenyon et al. 2009)  

24.(1) no age given October 27, 2001: off Haida Gwaii (51.85°N, 130.57°W) (Kenyon et al. 2009)  

25.(1) no age given November 10, 2001: off Haida Gwaii (51.87°N, 130.63°W) (Kenyon et al. 2009)  

26.(1) immature October 15, 2002: John Anderson: off Solander Island (49°30’ N, 127°15’ W) (Toochin et al. 2018)

27.(1) no age given April 27, 2003: off Haida Gwaii (51.19°N, 129.59°W) (Kenyon et al. 2009)   

28.(1) no age given June 15, 2003: off Vancouver Island (49.20°N, 127.15°W) (Kenyon et al. 2009)    

29.(1) no age given June 17, 2003: off Vancouver Island (49.98°N, 127.65°W) (Kenyon et al. 2009)  

30.(1) no age given June 22, 2003: off Haida Gwaii (51.85°N, 130.64°W) (Kenyon et al. 2009)  

31.(1) immature August 8, 2003: John Anderson: 50 NM off Cape Flattery in BC waters (48°18’ N, 126°04’ W)(Toochin et al. 2018)

32.(1) adult November 11-19, 2003: fide Robert M. Suryan: (radio tagged and tracked bird) in BC waters (Toochin et al. 2018)

33.(1) adult September 12, 2006 - November 1, 2006: fide Robert M. Suryan: (radio tagged and tracked bird) in BC waters (Cecile 2007a, Toochin et al. 2018)

34.(1) immature January 7, 2008: Kat Cruikshank (photo) offshore of Ucluelet, Vancouver Island (48.99°N, 126.55°W) (Toochin et al. 2018)

35.(1) immature September 2-4, 2008: Kate Rutherford (photo) NW of Langara Island, Haida Gwaii near US/Canada Border (Toochin et al. 2018)

36.(1) immature March 28, 2009: Louis Haviland, Rick Toochin: near mouth of Strait of Juan de Fuca (Toochin et al. 2018)  

37.(1) sub-adult August 8, 2009: Rick Toochin, Louis Haviland: mouth of Strait of Juan de Fuca (Toochin et al. 2018)  

     (1) sub-adult August 12, 2009: Capt. Russ Nicks, and other observers: off Sooke [likely the same bird as above](Toochin et al. 2018)             
38.(1) immature March 8, 2011: Barie Hotchkiss (photo) off Ucluelet (Charlesworth 2011c, Toochin et al. 2018)

39.(1) immature July 28, 2011: Levy Boitor, mobs (photo) off Fredrick Island, Haida Gwaii (Toochin et al. 2018)

40.(1) immature November 3, 2013: fide Russell Cannings (photo) off Vancouver Island (Toochin et al. 2018)

41.(1) immature October 31, 2015: Louis Haviland: mouth of Strait of Juan de Fuca (Toochin et al. 2018)

42.(1) adult June 7, 2016: Joseph Morlan: 15 SSW of Beresford Island (Toochin et al. 2018)

43.(2) immatures August 7, 2016: Albert Michaud (photo) off Cape Scott (50° 27’01.9 N, 128° 32’57.1 W)(Toochin et al. 2018)

44.(2) immatures May 13, 2017: Lindsay Dealy (photo) well offshore of Tofino (Toochin et al. 2018)

45.(1) immature June 1, 2017: Lev Frid, mobs (photo) 35 NM SSW of Tofino (Toochin et al. 2018)

46.(3) immatures March 24, 2018: Mike Toochin, mobs (photo) Clayoquot Canyon off Tofino (Toochin et al. 2018)

47.(1) immature July 19, 2018: Erika Holland: off west coast of Haida Gwaii (53.3079, -132.9857)(D. Cecile Pers. Comm.)

48.(1) immature March 17, 2019: Douglas Martin, mobs (photo) off Tofino (D. Cecile Pers. Comm.)

49.(1) adult May 13, 2021: Tim Stevenson: 35 miles west-southwest of Estevan Point (D. Cecile Pers. Comm.)

50.(1) immature August 29, 2021: Mike Toochin, mobs (photo) Clayoquot Canyon, off Tofino (D. Cecile Pers. Comm.)

51.(1) immature March 27, 2022: Blair Dudeck, Joachim Bertrands, mobs (photo) Clayoquot Canyon, off Tofino (D. Cecile Pers. Comm.)

52.(1) juvenile July 3, 2023: Gary Tom (photo) 1km off Lennard Lighthouse, near Tofino (D. Cecile Pers. Comm.) 

53.(1) juvenile September 9, 2023: Lev Frid, mobs (photo: banded 83c) off Tofino (D. Cecile Pers. Comm.)
54.(1) immature November 3, 2023: Lindsay Dealy: (photo)  (53.979 N, 133.655 W) off west coast of Haida Gwaii (D. Cecile Pers. Comm.)
55.(1) immature November 15, 2023: Christopher Di Corrado: (49.78365, 127.59219) off west coast of Vancouver Island (D. Cecile Pers. Comm.)

      (1) immature November 16, 2023: Christopher Di Corrado: (49.60450, 127.35221) off west coast of Vancouver Island [same bird as above?] (D. Cecile Pers. Comm.)
56.(1) immature July 1, 2024: Sebastian Pardo (photo) from the CCGS Sir John Franklin, south of the Scott Islands (D. Cecile Pers. Comm.)

57.(1) immature August 3,2024: Mark Sawyer, mobs (photo) from boat off Tofino (D. Cecile Pers. Comm.)

58.(1) immature October 11, 2024: Sebastián Pardo (photo) 13 km SW of Solander Island [50.017, -128.052] (D. Cecile Pers. Comm.)

We want to thank Don Cecile for tracking down information on a couple of recent Short-tailed Albatross records for the province. Also wish to thank Meteorologist Mitch Meredith for his information on the warm water event of August 2009 off the west coast of Vancouver Island. A special thanks to Bruce Di Labio for allowing us use of his Short-tailed Albatross photograph from the waters off Tofino.

Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels (ACAP). 2009. ACAP Species Assessment: Short-tailed Albatross Phoebastria albatrus. [Online Resource] Retrieved from #http://www.acap.aq/en/acap-species#. [Accessed: January 22, 2022].

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