Although there have been several studies of seabird distributions off the Oregon and Washington coasts (e.g., Wahl 1975, Wiens and Scott 1975, Manuwal et al. 1979, Wahl et al. 1981, Matthews 1983, Wahl and Speich 1984), research has not been directed to determining the net movement of seabirds flying nearshore along these coasts. Interpretations of flights can be equivocal, but Marchant (1977) has shown that systematic observations of nearshore flights can provide valuable information about seabird distributions and movements.
I conducted this study to determine if selected seabirds, especially Common Murres (Uria aalge), exhibited significant net movements past the mouth of Yaquina Estuary. Dispersion or migration would be suggested by many more birds flying in one direction than another because if there were many watches, the numbers of birds flying to and from colonies or feeding areas should cancel each other out.