Tolkien began his tale, “In a hole in the ground there lived an auklet”. Well, that’s almost what he said. You get the idea – I like the comparison. Salish Sea rhinoceros auklets are usually seen diving around tidal currents, and in some places they’re fairly common. So, you’re off Point Wilson on the way to the San Juans, and as your boat approaches, a pair of auklets are waiting until the very last death-defying moment to move out of your way. They won’t fly, but calmly dive as your bow appears to crush them. Underwater, they use powerful flying and paddling strokes to catch fish or swim out of the way (or at least I hope so). They’re more common on the outer coast, from California to Alaska and Japan, but in the Salish Sea, look for them around Whidbey, Port Townsend and off the San Juan Islands.

‘Rhinos’ nest in island burrows 10 to 20’ long that have side passages like true Tolkien homes. Some are used many generations. Courtship involves a male taking over an existing burrow that’s hidden under grass, shrubs and even trees. He then advertises ownership outside the front door – wings parted, bill pointing down and hissing! Once the pair gets it together, they have one white egg, probably explaining why there aren’t large numbers of these birds. They spend days fishing, but evening and at night, they come to their burrows in secrecy to feed and tend to their chick. It takes about 2 months for the egg to hatch, fledge and leave the nest. Secrecy and darkness, it’s a security-thing with gulls and other predators lurking about. Oh and that ‘horn’ that’s responsible for the bird’s name? It grows each year in early spring and falls off in later summer.

***previous*** —  ***next***