Hello, Tweeters,

Coleman Byrnes, Sue Nattinger, and Daniel Walker report a Red-faced
Cormorant today (3/17/11, 1 p.m.) at Salt Creek County Park, near
Joyce, WA. Coleman described the field marks spot on, with red face
extending across the forehead and around the eyes, yellow bill, and,
and, curiously enough, white flanks, showing alternate plumage. The
bird was swimming in Crescent Bay west of the Salt Ck Co Park
campground, below the steps that go to the intertidal viewing area.
Coleman said the tide was high, and the bird swam between the
offshore rocks and the bottom of the steps. Coleman and Sue are
experienced observers who help yearly on our local Christmas Counts.
They will submit a report for the WA Bird Records Committee, but it
would be nice if anyone in the area confirms the sighting.

This is very near where the first RFCO for WA was seen at the Elwha
River mouth in May 1999.

Bob Boekelheide
Sequim