ML288065811

Age

Not specified

Sex

Not specified

Observation details

Observed at a distance, but for very extended period of time. When I visit here I always do a thorough scan with a scope for any waterfowl and Bald Eagles. On this day, there was no wind which made scanning easy. The entire bay was flat calm (like a mill pond) and the cloud cover (and initially fog) made for very flat light (no glare or distortion). I noticed the bird in question very quickly. It was very distant (perhaps a mile away), but with zoom eye piece on my Swarovski scope (no shake) I was able to see good detail on shape and coloration. The immediate impression was of a "small" loon or large grebe, although the initial observation in the fog were particularly challenging, I was able to go through a process of elimination to rule out a variety of options. For a while I considered a Red-necked Grebe. The GISS was so different from a Common Loon. The dive was different with more of an "effort" needed to submerge with a slightly more pronounced rearing back of the head before diving than Common.. Right away, the proportions between head, beak and body made it very different from Common Loon (which of course I am very familiar with in all seasons and plumages). The head was more rounded than a Common and the bill was smaller. It lacked the "angular" look of the head of a Common Loon. At times I was able to directly compare with a non-breeding adult Common Loon (sometimes in the same scope view). I was able to compare shape and dive. On several occasions the bird reared up and flapped it's wings (as loons do) and even there I could discern a difference in speed of the flap and even the length of the wings. It's hard to describe in words, but with such a prolonged observation time it's possible to get the impression of size. Common Loons are such big and powerful birds and their wing flat looks big and powerful. This bird was different in how it flapped and reared up. [I was later able to get agreement from other observers on this impression of size and power based on the wing flap behavior]. Coloration was discernible, even at the great distance because of the favorable viewing conditions and lighting. Overall impression was of a "sooty gray/brown" bird overall. After I eliminated Red-necked Grebe, I focused on why it wasn't a Red-throated Loon (another bird I am very familiar with). Head pattern wasn't right for RTL. Dark cap extended down over eye. There was no white around eye [which would also be present in Common]. Bill shape and head posture were not right for RTL. Did not have the usually-obvious upturned bill/head of RTL. [later with Tony Vazzano and Ken Klapper, we went through why it wasn't an Arctic Loon and we all observed closely the complete lack of any white on the flanks. This lack of white also eliminates RTL although, at the time I hadn't focused in that feature as an elimination for RTL). Once I eliminated Red-necked Grebe, Common Loon and Red-throated Loon, I was beginning to focus in on Pacific Loon. I pulled out my Sibley field guide and went to the Merlin app on my phone and began to double check for characteristic features of Pacific to make sure of what I was seeing before calling in backup. I knew this would be a very rare bird for the area and wanted to be sure in my own mind before making a call for others to see it. In referencing the guides I noted the mention of Pacific usually having a "chinstrap." I then focused in on the neck and noticed that this bird had a slight "chinstrap." The clean line between the back of the neck and throat was also mentioned and observed [although I have to say that at that distance, that feature was not a slam dunk] By now I had been staring at the bird for close to an hour. During that time, I never lost the bird. It was frequently diving, but was always predictably back in view after a couple minutes and I was able to reinforce my observations. I decided to call Ken Klapper, who is often out and about in the area. By chance he was less than ten minutes away and quickly joined me. With his scope he was able to quickly get on the bird and he walked through the various identification features with me. I systematically went through "why isn't it a Red-necked Grebe and why isn't it a Red-throated Loon, etc." Ken saw all the features that I was seeing and we decided to call Tony Vazzano and Bob Ridgely. I had not posted the bird on nhbirds.org at that time and with the "cavalry" coming, I decided to wait until they were able to see the bird too. Tony arrived first and was able to get on the bird and quickly see all the features I was seeing (although he was concerned about how far away the bird was). Bob arrived and was very exhaustive and appropriately skeptical/careful. By this time the cloud cover had broken up and there was more sunlight and reflection which made viewing more difficult (less favorable light), It took a while for Bob to see all that I was seeing. Finally the bird got into better light again with bright water behind, which allowed Bob to see the shape, posture and wing flap. We again all walked through the features we were seeing and why we could eliminate other possible species. After a while, all present were in agreement on my identification as a Pacific Loon and fully satisfied that all the necessary identification features were observed. Only then did I post on nhbird.org. Overall I watched the bird almost continuously for four hours in perfectly calm conditions. I was able to constantly reinforce my observations and confirm all the necessary characteristics and features of Pacific Loon.

Technical information

Model

Pixel 3a

ISO

83

Focal length

4.4 mm

Flash

Flash did not fire

f-stop

f/1.8

Shutter speed

963/200000 sec

Dimensions

1061 pixels x 834 pixels

Original file size

129.23 KB