Hello, Tweeters,

If y'all are interested, there was a basic-plumaged Yellow-billed Loon swimming and diving in Sequim Bay late yesterday afternoon (2/19/12). It spent its time at the north end of the bay, visible by scope from the north end of John Wayne Marina. A better view would have been from Travis Spit, which delineates the north end of the bay. It really stood out - very brown with ear patch and nice big yellow upturned schnoz.

Curious, the most abundant loon species in the bay was Red-throated, with several on the east side of the bay and others scattered around, plus two Pacific Loons, which usually spend more time outside the bay, and only one Common Loon. The most abundant diving species by far was Double-crested Cormorant, which, for the second winter in a row, are present in the lower half of Sequim Bay by the hundreds, apparently chasing forage fish. We weren't able to see what they were eating this time, but last year they were feeding on what looked like sand lance, which historically spawned in big numbers in Sequim Bay.

Bob Boekelheide
Sequim