A preliminary cruise of our data shows record densities of adult marbled murrelets in Prince William Sound in June-July 1997. Unlike previous years, most of the highest counts were in early June instead of late July. The density of juveniles in July-August, however, was roughly equal to or lower than in 1994-96. One possibility is that murrelets came into the Sound from other areas. The murrelets were feeding primarily on sand lance and juvenile herring-- both of which appeared to be more available, if later, than in the past. Also more numerous were mixed-species foraging flocks, with murrelets sometimes in the hundreds. Altogether a different kind of summer on several levels--particularly the t-shirt and sandals working conditions.--Kathy Kuletz (kathy_kuletz@mail.fws.gov)