Subject: [Tweeters] Yellow-throated Loon
Date: Apr 16 13:30:55 2010
From: Gary Smith - gsmith at smithandstark.com


Clarke,

I'm not sure how long it takes a loon to molt, but given the rarity of this
species in King County, I should mention that I am reasonably certain I saw
a Yellow-billed Loon at Alki Point on March 27 -- so, about 10 miles away as
the crow flies. It was still in full "basic" plumage.

A couple days ago we spotted a Common Loon at Alki in complete alternate
plumage.

--g

Gary T. Smith
Smith & Stark

-----Original Message-----
From: tweeters-bounces at mailman2.u.washington.edu
[mailto:tweeters-bounces at mailman2.u.washington.edu] On Behalf Of Clarke F
O'Reilly
Sent: Thursday, April 15, 2010 6:40 PM
To: tweeters at u.washington.edu
Cc: Clarke O'Reilly
Subject: [Tweeters] Yellow-throated Loon



13 APR 2010
Madison Park Beach
Broken Clouds, Breezy
Clarke O'Reilly

I saw a large loon shaped bird swimming approx. a couple dozen metres out in
the lake, very low in the water. (Its dive was very "loon like".)
Its head & upper neck were dark with (maybe) a bit of green iridescence .
The lower neck and body were completely white. There was a little
black/grey on the back.
The bill was yellow with the distinctive "upturn" on the bottom at the end.
I am basing the id on the distinctive & yellow bill and the obvious loon
shape. I'm wondering if the plumage is an intermediate between the winter &
breeding plumage (or a fluke result of genetics?)

I'm posting the above, since, if it was a yellow-billed loon it is
"out-of-place". It was so obviously a loon, yet can't think of/haven't
found any similar species -

Thanks -

Clarke O'Reilly. MAT
CFOReilly at mac.com, cfor at uw.edu
Seattle

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