Tweeters,

Bill Tweit observed a Yellow-billed Loon at Priest Rapids this past
weekend. He has given clearance to me to forward his noters on this
observation:

Hi Andy,

Well, no luck on Arctic Loon this AM. I worked the Grant Co. side from
Priest Rapids Dam north to 26SW, and came up empty. I also did not refind
the Yellow-billed Loon, but spent little time looking for it. Yesterday,
while attempting to get better looks at the Yellow-billed Loon, I did some
interesting exploring at the Priest Rapids Wildlife Area. One can drive
north along a set of power lines to a locked gate, about a half mile north
of
the boat launch area. Parking there, can walk west across that huge
alfalfa/hay field to the river. The field had several big flocks of Horned

Lark, with one Am. Pipit, and at least one big flock of Killdeer. It
looked
like it could be very intruiging in migration, especially with all the
goose
poop scattered over it. The backwater of the river that runs north along
the
power lines, separating much of the peninsula with the hay field from the
main part of the bank, is lined with willow and Russian Olive, and has a
lot
of passerines. It also looks as if it has migrant potential.

Following are my details on the Yellow-billed. Wonder how many people saw
this one at a distance, and thought it might be ... Or did it just appear?
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While scooping Priest Rapids Reservoir, looking for the Arctic Loon that
had
been reported there, I found a group of four loons, three of which were
Common and one appeared lighter, showed whitish flanks and consistently
held
its beak above horizontal. I was scooping from the Priest Rapids Wildlife
Area boat launch access at the end of 26SW on the Grant Co. side of the
river. The group of loons was on the Yakima Co. side, about a mile south
of
the county border. Initially, I considered that I might have been
observing
the Arctic Loon, but since the bird appeared the same size as the Commons,
and as the bill and the head appeared very light, I began to consider
Yellow-billed Loon. Since the group of loons was drifting north along the
Yakima Co. bank, I found a vantage point further north, about a half mile
north of the 26SW spot. From there, at 50x I could view the loons fairly
well across the river and eventually on the Grant Co. side as they crossed
the river. Viewing conditions, although distant (closest views were at 0.5

miles distant, generally 1 to 1.5 miles) were quite good. With a low
overcast, slight drizzle and no wind, I was able to obtain several very
good
views between 1530 and 1630, in good, indirect light. Optics were the
Swarovski ST-80, from 40-60x, although usually at 50x. I took down the
following details as I watched it.

Large loon, swimming adjacent to three Common Loons. Appears similar size,

with thicker neck. Holds beak above horizontal. Beak shape differs from
Common, as the culmen appears straight while the bottom of the lower
mandible
angles upward. Base of beak is dusky, but distal half is bright yellow.
Overall color much lighter than Common, apparent whitish on flanks at a
distance was not as conspicuous with better closer views. Back was light
brown, patterned with narrow, light, wavy transverse bars. Nape and crown
lighter brown than back, grading into white cheeks, chin and throat.
Showed
a somewhat conspicuous dusky brown subauricular spot.
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Hope you succeed at finding it. A nice Yakima Co. year bird, eh?

Best,

BT