Hello Birders,

We searched over a vast area on the 19th and 21st of January for the reported ARCTIC LOON,where we checked many locations from Orondo to the mouth of the Okanogan River east of Brewster. We located a total of 35 Common Loons within this stretch and located 10 Common Loons with white sides and flanks and in the end felt confident we covered the area very well. On the 19th of January we covered only the northern portion of Starr Rd. near Pateros from 9:30am-10am then on the 21st of January we drove the entire length of Starr Rd. between 11am-1pm. During the latter visit we also ran into Bob Flores too,which during our brief conversation did not see the Arctic Loon. We have only one prior experience with an Arctic Loon in Washington which consist of the single bird near Priest Rapids Dam during February 2000.

In all the details we have seen of the Arctic Loon we have not seen any comments about the bird's noticeable smaller size,but maybe observers forget to mention this crucial detail. It is true that the white sides can be quite visible in Common Loons,as well as having white flanks too. If seeing more white of the sides and flanks more in some birds than others may be a result of how the bird is resting on the water. The structure of the bird should appears much different than a Common Loon and closer in resemblance of Pacific Loon with a less rounded head. The Common Loons we observed chiefly along Starr Rd. appeared as classic Common Loons in size of the 12 birds we noted along that stretch of the Columbia River. We located no birds that were even candidates for an Arctic Loon in all areas that we covered whether the birds were further out in the Columbia River or not. Of these birds we were not able to distinguish true bill size and length due to the distance of viewing from the road and this could be difficult to fully tell even with a good spotting scope. There is some variation bill structure between Common Loons and overall body color may also vary too. Good searching for birders that still may decide to look for the Starr Rd. Arctic Loon.

*****In the end a very good photo may be in order for full documentation of the Starr Rd. bird.******


Sincerely,

Ruth and Patrick Sullivan
Fircrest,WA
godwit513 at msn.com