ML345640891

Age

Not specified

Sex

Not specified

Observation details

Continuing bird. Seen from beach directly across from Herbster Campground. Seen at 9:15 to about 10:30 am when it drifted out so far that we eventually lost track of it. If facing the lake and looking out with the campground at your back, the bird was first located towards the east, just beyond the buoys. I'm terrible at estimating distances when they become so great, but I'd guess the bird was a quarter to a half mile out. Very far, but still just close enough that real details could be made out. The atmospheric conditions, much better than recent days, greatly aided in our ability to study the bird and detect field marks. White flanks consistently visible, though disappearing as even slight waves raised and lowered the position of the bird. The head, especially the nape, gray. The throat was dark. It was too distant to see any white lines on the side of the neck. I know that the nape is supposed to be subtly more brownish gray than the silvery gray of Pacific loon, but it was too far and the light wasn't at quite the right angle, to make that judgment. The bird held its bill mostly parallel to the surface of the water or perhaps very slightly upwards the whole time it was resting (unless it looked down or preened). Some white on the back and more robust, less upturned bill rule out Red-throated. The bird was clearly smaller and less robust than Common Loon, plus the nape was clearly gray, not darker black like Common. Extensive white flanks rule out Pacific. Poor digiscoped picture obtained that (I believe) shows white flanks, gray head (just barely discernible in the picture and lighter in tone than the back) and provide supporting evidence to accompany my field observations.

Technical information

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179 pixels x 134 pixels

Original file size

12.97 KB