[Birdnet] Yellow-billed Loon (NO)

[Matthew J. Williams]

All,
     It doesn't hurt my pride (too much) to admit that I chased and 
failed.  I had a 1-year old that "helped" me in my quest...if only by 
providing a viable excuse for giving up well before dark and letting me use 
his jogging stroller as a tripod carrier.   I confess I used to make fun of 
birders like me.

I saw at least 2 other search teams as I made my retreat and, given their 
silence thus far, I assume their luck was as good as mine.  I would love to 
be proven wrong.   For the record, I didn't scope from the marina or check 
the other "arm" of the reservoir.  If someone does try tomorrow, results of 
any flavor would be appreciated by many.

Dave's directions were great, I left before I got the pink flagging 
email.  I should just know to look for that with Kris out on the 
prowl.  Between about 2:45pm and 4:30pm, I did see at least 5 COMMON 
LOONS....possibly 6 and I spent enough time trying to turn them into a 
Yellow-billed that I was quite certain they were Commons.   The wind had 
picked up quite a bit by this point so it made conditions a bit difficult 
but visibility was still OK and the waves were relatively small.  The loons 
seemed to be diving quite a bit, which made relocating them difficult.  I 
did see the female RED-BREASTED MERGANSER that was previously reported so 
that made me feel like my search was reasonably thorough.  A very rough 
estimate for "western" grebes would be 20.  I also saw an OSPREY, 3 GADWALL 
and 2 SPOTTED SANDPIPERS.

Good luck to anyone who braves the weather tomorrow.  Hopefully it's 
keeping the Loon down on the water, although those strong south winds might 
remind it that it's not where it needs to be.

Good Birding,
Matt Williams
Midvale, UT