ML31933961

Age

Not specified

Sex

Not specified

Observation details

Continuing bird first seen by Doug L. on August 1, 2016 and first reported by Bob W. on August 1, 2016. Subsequent confirmation sightings by Isaac H., w keys, Louann F., and David S.? on August 2, 2016. Evidently the first reported sighting in the Matanuska-Susitna Valley. Loosely associated with a colony of approximately two (2) dozen Red-necked Grebes. Seen from about 250-300 meters, putting the smallish bird much to far away for "decent" pictures, although it was seen well through two 20X-60X power spotting scopes at the time of this reporting. Weather: Surprisingly sunny and bright despite the relatively "heavy" rain in Anchorage all day. The skies cleared and the sun came out and was located off to our right during our observations of this bird. Location: Approximately 250-300 meters due south from the parking/viewing area. Pretty far...and there didn't appear to by any great opportunity to get any closer to the bird for any better pictures without a canoe or raft of some sort. Size: Approximately half the size of adjacent and nearby Red-necked Grebes. Body: Compact body with overall grayish brown coloring. Head: Large and blocky head relative to the body (see linked pictures). Feet: Large grebe like feet (see linked pictures). Bill: With size and form, probably the most identifiable feature of the PBGR....heavy, thick, bill relative to its' size. Silverish-white coloration with a black stripe around the circumference of the bill approximately 2/3 of the way out from the base....chunky and chisel like in its' appearance. From bill alone, this bird was identifiable as a PBGR. Behavior: Loosely associated with a colony of Red-necked Grebes. Bird was resting and sleeping most of the time we watched while the Red-necked Grebes were more active. On several occasions it seemingly woke, stretched its' long neck and its' legs and showed its' rather large feet. The bird then went back to resting. Vocalization: Never heard it call or vocalize. P.S. My hat is off to Doug L. for getting such a great photo and spreading the word so others can get to enjoy this bird. Thanks Doug L.! See linked, massively cropped (and definitely poor) pictures. 1,050mm full frame equivalent focal length on the lens....hmmmmm perhaps the bird was further than 250-300 meters?

Technical information

Model

NIKON D500

Lens

200.0-500.0 mm f/5.6

ISO

1000

Focal length

700 mm

Flash

Flash did not fire

f-stop

f/8.0

Shutter speed

1/2000 sec

Dimensions

1920 pixels x 1080 pixels

Original file size

340.46 KB