Tweeters:

I had the Arctic Loon today at about 4:15-30 from the Water Street lookout
in Edmonds. The bird was initially with a group of 5-6 other loons (mostly
Pacific) that appeared to the NNW looking toward Clinton, roughly. The
group dispersed quickly and some birds headed west; I lost the Arctic
somewhere in the midst of this. A white-sided Pacific Loon, with the
suggestion of a chinstrap, was present in the initial group.

Other than field marks widely noted by others, the upward-held head/bill,
much like a Yellow-billed Loon, were of special interest. This is because
not all birds in Russia (and the species is fairly common) consistently hold
their heads/bills up in this manner.

Brant--I had 6-7 birds on the water and 15 more fly-bys. Numbers usually
peak at the Edmonds waterfront in March-early April.

Scott Atkinson
Lake Stevens
email: scottratkinson at hotmail.com
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