ML369524101

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******MEGA, First State Record for Wisconsin and one of only a handful of Lower 48 records. An incredible find by Ryan Brady, Betsy Bartelt, and Tim Oksiuta earlier this morning, continuing past 5 PM distantly offshore. An alternate plumaged Arctic Loon, observed when I arrived with both Ryan and Ian Davies at length and was able to carefully walk through the ID over the span of an hour. Conditions were very good on the lake for observing this loon, even given the distance, as the water was nearly flat and the sun was to our west while the bird was to the northeast. Viewed the bird from this point: https://goo.gl/maps/mmY9ApyhEYs9m42i9 and then moved up the road to the NE a bit to get closer. The defining feature that clinched the ID for me was the bold white flanks that were visible throughout the entire time of observation. When relaxed, the white extended up towards the breast on the bird almost creating a bar from tail to breast, and when actively feeding, the white was still visible but restricted towards the latter third of the bird in an arch-like shape. Additional features we noted that supports the ID of Arctic vs. Pacific Loon was the rounded headshape that had a small peak in the middle (as supposed to the entirely rounded smooth head of a Pacific), a darker gray/silver hood than was not as pale as a Pacific, and overall heavier posture in the water as well as a heavier bill. A lifer for me, and my last loon. Huge thanks to Chicago friend Tom Lally for flagging the post and bringing this find to my attention so I could rush out and see it. Distant photos taken.