Tweeters,

Yesterday afternoon at 1:00 P.M. (Sat., Feb. 5th), Mary Anne Rossing and I
(George Gerdts) observed a basic-plumaged Arctic Loon off Restoration
Point on Bainbridge Island. We were conducting our monthly survey of the birds
at Restoration Point, a monthly survey that has been ongoing since
November of 2004. The loon was close to the southern tip of Restoration Point,
about 100 yards off-shore. We watched it dive repeatedly for about 10
minutes. Each time it surfaced, it was farther from shore, heading south
towards Blakely Island and Vashon. Arctic Loons have been reported several times
from Point No Point in northern Kitsap Co., but this is a first record for
Bainbridge Island, bringing the number of species recorded on Bainbridge
and its surrounding waters to 256!!

Unfortunately, Restoration Point is a private enclave with restricted
access. The nearest view points to the waters off the south shore of
Bainbridge Island are located along South Beach Road. The tide yesterday was low at
about 12:30 P.M., so the loon was seen on an incoming tide. Brad Waggoner
and Jamie Acker, the other two regular participants in the monthly surveys
were absent. Brad is in Mexico on vacation, and Jamie was giving a lecture
on the owls of Washington State for Seattle Audubon. I will be trying to
re-locate the bird over the next few days and hopefully get a chance for a
photo or two.

George Gerdts
_geopandion at gmail.com_ (mailto:geopandion at gmail.com)
206-842-8138 home
206-817-6979 mobile