Hi,
We did some birding here at the place today and found a WINTER
WREN. A first for our yard in over 20 years of birding here, a nice
new years treat.
Last Sunday Jacque and I also were at the dam looking for the loon.
Found lots of Common , one Yellow-billed , maybe a Pacific, it
never got close. About noon the "Loon" in question came out from
almost under the visitor center. I would guess it was as close as 40
yards and in good light at first. We had the scope on it for nearly
30 min.
The white of the cheeks and neck were more white then the Common's.
The pattern down the neck was a bit more ragged then the books show.
The white flanks showed out very well. The bill seemed a bit
heavier then a Pacific, but much less then the Commons. It did seem
that the forehead had a bit more bulge then the Pacific, but not as
heavy as the Commons.
We have seen a number of Arctic Loons while working in the Nome,
Alaska area but have not seen winter birds. We would often find them
with little fuzzy young. In the summer they are beautiful.
If this bird is a Common it has some strange genes.
Larry and Jacque Goodhew Walla Walla