Subject: RBA: COMMON? EIDER at Port Angeles August 3, 2004
Date: Aug 3 15:59:36 2004
From: Michael Shepard - mgshepard at pacificcoast.net


Howdy,

At about 11:30 a.m. today (August 3) I observed a male (in eclipse, I
imagine) eider at Port Angeles between the Black Ball ferry terminal and the
first tanker area to the west.

I only had a binocular with me, so was unable to get great views. When
viewing the bird from about a quarter mile away, I first thought it was a
loon - it was so large. I managed to get a bit closer and noted a very
sloping forehead, a capped appearance, and a conspicuous pale yellowish to
yellow-orange bill. The bird was overall brownish black in appearance with
blotches of white her and there.

It was last seen swimming around the tanker dock to the west.

The closest picture I can find is the third one down on the left at:

http://featheredfotos.com/spppages/ducks/common%20eider2.html

Hopefully someone can get out to check this bird as I am not 100% sure of
its identity.

Cheers,

Michael G. Shepard
North American Bird Information Web Site: www.birdinfo.com