While checking the area below the Wanapum Dam this afternoon, got a nice
big surprise....an ARCTIC LOON!
First details on where it was located as I'm sure others want to chase
it and then description, since it was too far out to get decent photos.
South of Wanapum Dam there are two large islands. The bird was in the
western channel (between island and shore) of the second island to the
south. I viewed it from 3:00-3:30, was able to climb down the rocky
areas to the rivers edge and snap a couple of distant photos, but
unfortunately the only thing detail wise that will show up is the white
flanks.
Besides the huge white flank patch, when resting at least 2-3 inches up
the flanks. The bird build wise more closely resembled the nearby Common
Loons in build. The neck was more similar to a pacific, with a rich
brown back of the neck contrasting with a clean break along the
neckline. The line was more jagged than the straight line of a pacific
and lacked any chinstrap. The bill and neck was also more stout than a
pacific and was closer in size to a common. The bill shape was not as
small and thin as a pacific, but thinner than the commons. There were
several commons in the area and a pacific about a 1/2 mile downstream
presumably the same bird as seen a few weeks ago.

Several other notables I'll list for the area below:

Yellow-billed Loon-still in spillway of the Wanapum Dam
Pacific Loon-as mentioned above, one bird
Common Loons-many, counted at least 17 in this stretch
Glaucous-winged Gull-an adult, likely same bird from before
Tundra Swan-3 birds on islands.
Red-breasted Merganser-one just north of islands
White-winged Scoter-same area as Merganser
Gray-crowned Rosy Finch-about 50 birds in cliffs towards sentinel gap
Northern Shrike-one bird along Huntzinger Rd.

Good birding all!

Scott Downes
downess at cwu.edu
Ellensburg WA