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EnglishWhat Is the History of Westport Seabirds?
Updated
Westport Seabirds traces its origins to September 1966, when Terry Wahl began running offshore trips to Grays Canyon out of Westport, Washington. Systematic censusing of birds at sea started in September 1971 and has continued since, producing what the organization describes as the longest running database of birds counted at sea in the world. The operation continues in 2026 under new management, Todd and Ann Sawin, after Phil and Chris Anderson stepped away following 40 years with the organization.
Key milestones
| Time | Event |
|---|---|
| September 1966 | Terry Wahl initiates offshore trips to Grays Canyon |
| September 1971 | Systematic censusing begins and continues to the present |
| 40-year span (through 2025) | Phil and Chris Anderson are part of Westport Seabirds |
| 2026 season | Todd and Ann Sawin take over operations; season dedicated to Scott Mills |
Why the censusing record matters
The value of Westport Seabirds' history lies less in the trips themselves than in the consistency of the counting. Because censusing began in 1971 and has run continuously, the dataset spans more than five decades of observations at the same offshore canyons — a timescale that lets researchers look at shifts in species presence and abundance rather than just single-season snapshots.
The trips run to deep-water submarine canyons about 30 nautical miles from the mouth of Grays Harbor, on the edge of the North American continental shelf. That location supports a wide range of marine life, which is what makes repeatable counts there useful. Regular species include Black-footed Albatross and Fork-tailed Storm-Petrel, alongside seasonal visitors such as Laysan Albatross, Flesh-footed, Short-tailed, and Buller's Shearwaters, and South Polar Skua. Crews also record whales, dolphins, porpoises, and fur seals.
The people behind the record
- Terry Wahl — started the offshore trips in 1966 and the systematic censusing in 1971.
- Phil and Chris Anderson — spent 40 years as part of Westport Seabirds before stepping away; they thanked customers and friends in a note marking the end of the 2025 season.
- Scott Mills — led more than 300 trips over 25 years and was known for educating passengers about what they saw offshore. The 2026 season is dedicated in his memory.
- Todd and Ann Sawin — the new management continuing operations in 2026.
What this means if you're considering a trip
If you want to join a 2026 departure, note that booking and payment methods are changing: the site directs visitors to the Reservation page for the new automated reservation and payment system, and the 2026 Schedule page for new contact information and dates. The trips remain all-day pelagic birdwatching outings to the same offshore canyons, so the species mix and the long-running count tradition carry over even as the operators change.