The Arctic Loon at Priest Rapids has been positively identified. It was
first seen on Jan. 17 and seen again on Jan. 22 with a better view and a
closer identification. That identification was comfirmed when it was seen
by a second group of birders on Jan. 26 who took some video of it which,
while not of excellent quality, does apparently show all of the field marks
of an Arctic Loon. It will be a while before the Washington rare birds
committee processes the reports but it does appear to be the real thing.

The loon was first seen about two miles north of the Priest Rapids Dam and
the second and third times about six miles north of the dam. It can be
searched for from the east side of the Columbia River. There are roads
north and south of Desert Aire as shown on page 52 of the DeLorme atlas that
lead to views of the river. The west side of the river in on the Yakima
Training Center and is off limits to nearly everyone.

It is possible that the Arctic Loon has found a comfortable wintering area
and will stay for some weeks to come.

Denny Granstrand


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* Denny Granstrand *
* Yakima, WA *
* osprey at nwinfo.net *
* * * * * * * * * * *