Tweeters,
Late this afternoon there was a Clarks Grebe at the mouth of Eld Inlet near
Cooper Point. The bird was with 2 Western Grebes, and first seen in Bud
Inlet, entering Eld Inlet. The birds were first observed at a distance
estimated at 1100 to 1200 yards. What was most interesting was how the
field marks seemed to change with distence to the bird. Even at that
distence one bird looked suspicious, but really only in regards to bill
color, having a comparatively bright yellow-orange bill (at that distance it
was more a possibility than any thing definite). Fortunately the birds
entered the inlet and were observed to a distance of perhaps 150 yards. At
mid-distance the orange-yellow bill was clearly brighter and cleaner than
the dingy yellow or greenish yellow bills of the Westerns. The eye appeared
to be set entirely within the white of the face. In fact the bright bill
and white face made the head and bill appear slightly larger than the
Westerns at this distance. At close range a dark smudgy line between eye
and the gape of the bill was visible, seperating the large white lores from
the malar and cheeks and making the face appear less white. A band of white
or perhaps very pale gray above the eye clearly seperated it from the black
cap. The bill at this distence looked even more distinctive being very
bright but showing a narrow dark line along the top of the culman. At no
time did the flanks or back look particularly noteworthy or distinct from
the other two birds, with all birds showing much white flecking in the
flanks. The bird were observed for perhaps 45 min. witht he sun at my back.
Good birding,
Bill Shelmerdine, Olympia
georn1 at msn.com