Tweeters,

Jamie Acker and I (George Gerdts) spent the foggy morning traversing from
Elliot and Fales Rds., to Marsh Rd, to Springhetti Rd until just after noon
when word was sent that the Whooper had been located on the west side of SR 9
about 3/4 mile south of Marsh Rd. We watched the swan for about an hour,
witnessing a brief, but rather violent confrontation between a Trumpeter and the
Whooper. Wings flailing, necks pumping, and bills snapping made for a grand,
albeit a rather short, altercation. We were observing the swan from about
300 yards, through some heat waves, but we did make out a "tongue" of bright
yellow on the underside of the lower bill. Perhaps others have seen that
also, but none of the guides I have consulted mention that feature.
On another note, Jamie and I had what we felt was a second Emperor
Goose. We saw one along the north side of Marsh Rd. about 1/2 west of SR 9 in a
field with a few swans and about a dozen White-fronted Geese. That Emperor
had a very distinctly white head and nape. About 15 minutes later, after
leaving the Marsh Rd. site, we drove to Elliot and Fales and Jamie spotted what
appeared to be a second Emperor foraging amongst the swans along with 6
White-fronts. This Emperor was much closer and appeared to be a first winter bird
with a mottled white head and nape, quite different from the Marsh Rd. bird.
We can't rule out the Marsh Rd. bird flying to Elliot and Fales, and the
distance from Marsh Rd to the Emperor was at least 400 yards, so keep a lookout
for a possible second Emperor Goose. Thanks to all who passed information
along about the location of the Whooper today.

Happy birding in 2007!!

George Gerdts
Bainbridge Island, WA
_geopandion at aol.com_ (mailto:geopandion at aol.com)