>From 1:30 to 2:00PM today (Sat, 2/17/01), I watched the ARCTIC LOON at the
Water Street location in Edmonds along with Marrissa Benavente and Carlo
from B.C. We watched as the loon flew in alone from the south and landed at
a distance. The bird remained solitary as it dived and surfaced making its
way to the northeast. It never stayed up for more than a few seconds. When
we left, it was preening and was staying put.

This bird was much lighter in color overall than the Pacific Loons that were
in the vicinity. The bill was held above the horizontal though less so than
a Red-throated Loon. The bill was also heavier than that of a RTLO. There
was more white on the face than on the faces of the PALO's. The eye was not
surrounded by white. I could not determine relative size since the bird was
alone. The head shape was not as smooth as a PALO but not as "bumpy" as a
Common Loon, which was also seen today from this location. The white flank
patches were obvious.

It's still here. Hope everyone who wants to gets to see it.

Marv Breece
Seattle, WA