In my recollection of Pacific Loons I have seen between Wenatchee and
Chelan, the
Pacific Loons were most obvious because they were feeding closer to shore than
Common Loons, almost right at my feet. Several of them would have been
missed if
we hadn't been standing outside the car-they were right up next to the bank.

However, they also seem to be feeding in areas dominated more by rock than
vegetation, in other words areas with too quick a current for vegetation to
take
hold.

As to the habits of Pacific Loons in saltwater, the feeding niche of the
Pacific Loon
compared to other loons includes more temporary, but abundant food sources,
such as would
be found in tidal rips. Part of this feeding behavior also includes forming
larger flocks
than say the other loons as a mechanism to respond more quickly to the
temporary food.

That said, the freshwater reservoirs of eastern Washington, probably do not
present the
same timing of temporary, abundant food, nor the number of loons to help
find these
sources as in salt-water.

To respond more directly to Andy, I've always believed that the Pacific
Loons in eastern
Washington are feeding on a smaller, more arthropod based diet than the Common
Loons. This source could easily be more abundant where the current flows a
little
faster.

--Jerry <tangren.family at verizon.net>
East Wenatchee WA



>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
>>
>>