Date: 4/11/26 7:39 pm From: Marcus Roening via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] Yellow-billed Loon on Key Peninsuala PIERCE CO, Herron Island Ferry Landing
Hi Tweets,
An adult Yellow-billed Loon was found off the Herron Island Ferry
Landing of the Key Peninsula in PIERCE CO on April 8 by Brandon Lloyd.
The bird is rapidly changing into breeding plumage. Most of the body
feathers are now the classic black with white checkers and the head has
achieved dark gray, but not yet black feathering. The neck is still very
pale gray. The bill is a pale yellow and dark at the base.
There is easy parking at this very small ferry landing, next to the
beach. The bird has been seen close to the dock, but also off the north
end of Herron Island - that would require a scope to see well. There
are a lot of Common Loons in the area, but all the ones I saw today had
jet black heads and the the white collar. I scanned until I found the
bird that had only a dark gray head and zoomed in from there.
Plenty of other seabirds in the same area and a pair of nesting ospreys
on the ferry dock to keep everyone engaged. Other spots to check while
you're on the peninsula are the Home Boat Landing on the opposite side
of peninsula and Penrose State Park with a nice hiking trail through
mature forest.
