With afternoon sun on Discovery Bay and fairly calm waters I was able to clearly see an Arctic Loon from my yard. It showed a definite white patch on the rear flank and the white narrowed, but ran along the flank up to the front third of the bird.

I have seen this species three times previously and this bird showed more white than any of those birds. Even when the water developed more chop the white was easy to see, especially on the rear. I have chased loons previously that were supposedly Arctic and they were not. This is not one of those birds. The bird was swimming and not preening or diving.

I posted on eBird more details regarding this sighting. Less rounded head and bill appearing larger were other ID points. Also more of a bump on back than Pacific Loon.

John F. Gatchet
Gardiner, WA

Sent from my iPhone