The Common Murres migrate to these nearshore rocks just off Yaquina Head on the Oregon Coast to hatch their offspring. There was a time when humans posed the greatest threat to these birds and their habitat but now Bald Eagles have grown in number in recent years and find easy meals here of the young Murres. Once the Murres are old enough to swim, they are led by the males on a journey to British Columbia where they will learn to fly until then they have to swim against the California Current and Northerly winds to make it to their destination. That is if the Eagles don’t get them first.
Thank you to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services Project Manager Roy Lowe for sharing this location and his wealth of knowledge about the goings on in the life of Common Murres with me.
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