Hello Andy and Tweets,

My mother and I observed 8 PACIFIC LOONS in three counties on 4 seperate
days in the past week in northcentral WA, with up to three of these birds
being previously observed and noted by Dave Beaudette on the 23rd of
December. In addition my mother and I noted 5 additional birds, with 3 along
the immediate Columbia River, and two on Rufus Woods Lake(viewed from
Bridgeport S.P.on the 22nd). ALL of the Columbia River birds were noted in
relatively slow moving to moderate current action observed, with the 2 birds
at MP 237.7 in Chelan Co. photographed together on the 23rd. The birds
observed south of Orondo in both Douglas and Chelan Cos. on the 27th along
the Columbia River were observed to be readily diving in relatively "choppy"
water(with some slow-moving current and "ripple" action noted) near the
center of the river, with 4 Common Loons observed close nearby. The Pacific
Loons were noted in the rougher water resting and swimming on the river,
whereas the Commons were in smoother,calmer waters. The two individuals
observed on Rufus Woods Lake were observed on relatively calm water, within
approxiametely 30 feet offshore from the Okanogan Co. side of the lake, as
they rested together and foraged, slowly drifting south. The 3 birds noted
north of Chelan Falls, and well below Well Dam in Chelan Co. seemed to be in
foraging in the more readily current of the south moving river, tending to
drift in and out of the main current lines, whereas the single bird noted
above Wells Dam on the 23rd seemed to be associating itself in calmer waters
closer to shore(with nearby rougher current lines available), where it was
never observed to be diving. This bird was in close association to 3 Common
Loons, where it was noticeably more active than them at all times. The birds
below and downstream from Wells Dam seemed more readily active, and alert by
diving, preening, and keeping up with the current line, but would drift away
from the main lines, as previously mentioned to calmer waters.

Sincerely,

Patrick Sullivan
Tacoma,WA
GODWIT at worldnet.att.net

----- Original Message -----
From: Andy Stepniewski <steppie at nwinfo.net>
To: TWEETERS <tweeters at u.washington.edu>
Sent: Thursday, December 27, 2001 7:07 AM
Subject: Pacific Loons in Eastern washington


> Tweeters,
>
> Dave Beaudette found a number of Pacific Loons along the Columbia this
past
> week. Patrick Sullivan found these or other birds, also. I would like to
> know if these loons were on slackwater (in reservoirs) along the river, or
> in "flowing" stretches. I realize even slackwater reservoirs have some
> current, but is considerably slower than in free-flowing stretches of the
> river. I ask this is because I seem to chance upon Pacific Loons more
> frequently on flowing waters than not. I have never seen data to support
> this observation for eastern Washington other than my own, so wish to
raise
> this question and raise awareness that Pacifics might favor a particular
> type of river conditions.
>
> It is well-known that Pacific Loons are strongly attracted to tidal rips
in
> Puget Sound and Strait of Georgia waters. It might be shown this species
> favors the interior equivalent of a tidal rip while on the Columbia.
>
> Andy Stepniewski
> Wapato Wa
> steppie at nwinfo.net
>
>