Common Murre

Paddled out over the weekend for some diving.

Not a productive day for me, but did have a cool encounter with this bird that cruised by me at ~35 feet.

Pretty sure it was a Common Murre, and apparently they often dive 98-197 feet and have been recorded diving as deep as 590 feet?!?!!

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_murre

They are more manoeuvrable underwater, typically diving to depths of 30–60 m (98–197 ft). Depths of up to 180 m (590 ft) have been recorded.

Here is a little clip of the bird:

https://instagram.com/p/Bpj9mPtAPHF/

Attached a pic of the biggest Ling I saw all day (didn't shoot it), the Checkmate party boat that rolled up and started fishing on the same reef I was diving  , and a yummy scallop I hand grabbed and ate that night.

 

Sincerely,

Jim

We've had those birds chase our white grubs over 150' down and grab the lure off the bottom. We had to switch reefs that day and the bird followed us so we sprayed it with the deck hose. Almost ruined the day! Super impressive divers.

Good footage. Bummer it wasn't productive!

We've had those birds chase our white grubs over 150' down and grab the lure off the bottom. We had to switch reefs that day and the bird followed us so we sprayed it with the deck hose. Almost ruined the day! Super impressive divers.

Good footage. Bummer it wasn't productive!

 Indeed, I snagged one a couple weeks back on a sabiki. I had just hit the bottom in 90FOW.
We got the little dude free of all hooks and line (and if you know sabikis you'll understand this was an achievement) and sent him off on his way.

 

Thanks for the report, pictures, and video clip Jim.