ML279110061

Age

Not specified

Sex

Not specified

Tags

Field notes/sketch

Observation details

I went to East Beach about noon to check on gulls and to scope Long Island Sound.After quickly counting the gulls on the beach, I began scanning the water for loons, ducks, etc.Conditions were not perfect but still not bad. The temperature was about 45F with a light 3mph south wind. There was a light chop on the sound and it was sunny with high humidity causing much haze. I did an initial quick scan from far left to far right and saw several Common and Red-throated Loons as well as many fishing boats.I began scanning again but this time I noticed at first what I thought was a Red-throated Loon. The bird, which was about 150-200 yards offshore, was facing away from me and the back of the head appeared light grayish. I continued to watch the loon so I could get a positive ID. When the loon turned to the right I could seen a thin pointed bill that was held straight out and parallel to the water, not tipped up as a Red-throated Loon. The head and back of the neck was dark, although at times as noted previously they appeared grayish,with much less white on the throat and face compared to a RTLO and the eye was not really visible as on a Red-throated Loon. The smooth curved rounded head and neck shape similar to a cobra ruled out Red- throated and confirmed Pacific Loon as well. I noted the back as being all dark and plain with no white patches or flanks which I think I would have seen despite the haziness and chop on the water.The loon dove several times during my observation and was not moving away until a fishing boat sped by it and then the bird began slowly drifting west and out over the horizon. I was able to observe the loon for about 45 minutes. Several birders arrived shortly after it disappeared and we never saw it again.Viewing conditions the next several days were not favorable for trying to relocate the loon due to high winds and seas. I had observed Pacific Loon at Race Point as recently as late August, early September of this year.A rough pen sketch is included which I did shortly after my observation upon returning to my car.Common Loon was immediately ruled out due to the smaller size and shape of the bird, mostly the head and bill, and most importantly the distinct pattern on the head and neck.

Technical information

Model

iPhone XR

Lens

iPhone XR back camera 4.25mm f/1.8

ISO

25

Focal length

4.3 mm

Flash

Flash did not fire, auto

f-stop

f/1.8

Shutter speed

1/304 sec

Dimensions

4032 pixels x 2743 pixels

Original file size

1.15 MB