In a message dated 97-11-01 02:38:09 EST, Murray Hanson writes:

<< We went on to Pt. Williams where we found some Oldsquaws (at least 2 males
and 2 females), Harlequin Ducks, Common Murres (in winter plumage), and the
usual complement of loons. grebes, scoters and cormorants. Question: could
Brandt's occur here? I saw a very long "stretched out" neck but no color
that I could see on the gular pouch. We did see both Double-crested and
Pelagic. >>

Murray,
You could see BRANDT'S CORMORANT at Port Williams. I have not but don't
get there frequently. (I feel I don't get out birding very much but that
thought causes my wife to snort).
Besides the obvious orange of the DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANTS bill and
gular pouch, the snake head of the PELAGIC CORMORANT, the BRANDT'S CORMORANT
is hard to identify at any distance. On a trip with Bob Boekelheide who has
watched breeding colonies of BRANDT'S, banded large numbers and probably been
dumped on by large numbers in a former life. He picked out BRANDT'S at a
distance with binoculars while I was not able to be sure with the scope. He
graciously shared the secret. The forehead is much more steep in the BRANDT'S
than the DOUBLE-CRESTED. Sort of like the difference between BARROW'S &
COMMON GOLDENEYES but more subtle. The bird of course has to be seen in
profile. With practice, you can pick that out at a much greater distance than
the buff gular pouch.
Your NORTHERN SHRIKE is the first I have heard of in the area for this
season.
I am trying to maintain a database of Clallam & Jefferson sightings (I
also put out a weekly telephone message on local good sightings - sort of a
mini RBA) and would
welcome being informed of any good finds that TWEETER users might have. Any
thing really great can be called to me at (360) 928-3053 or to Bob
Boekelheide (360) 681-4867.
Bob Norton
Joyce, WA
norton360 at aol.com

P.S. If anyone wants the phone # for the weekly message, it is (360)
928-6727 which is the news line for the Olympic Peninsula Audubon Society.
When the introductory message starts, punch 5 for the message. It is not
updated if I am out of state.
Bob Norton
Joyce, WA