Sighting Record for Utah

Common name:	Red-throated Loon
Scientific name:	Gavia stellata
Date:	November 12-19, 2011
Time:	various
Length of time observed:	30-60 minutes cumulative
Number:	1
Age:	juvenile
Sex:
Location:	Quail Creek State Park
County:	Washington
Latilong:	19
Elevation:	~ 920 m
Distance to bird:	70-400 m
Optical equipment:	20-60x scope
Weather:	various
Light Conditions:	various
Description: Size of bird:
(Description:) Basic Shape:
(Description:) Overall Pattern:
(Description:) Bill Type:
(Description:) Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics:	Juvenile observed frequently between November 12 and 19, 2011. Description: Small, pale loon with sharp thin gray bill, held tilted slightly upward while swimming. Undersides white from chin to tail, white on sides visible while resting or swimming and less apparent when actively diving. Bright white cheeks and throat with slight rusty color on upper portion of throat. Head flat with slight peak at rear of crown, and dark eye on pale face. Relatively short necked with no chest bulge visible at waterline. Crown and nape pale gray, back darker gray with fine white speckling. (see photos)
Song or call & method of delivery:	na
Behavior:	swimming and diving on open reservoir
Habitat:	open reservoir
Similar species and how were they eliminated:	distinguished from larger loons by pale coloration and lack of neck bulge at waterline.
Previous experience with this & similar species:	yes
References consulted:
Description from:	Notes made later
Observer:	Rick Fridell
Observer's address:	Hurricane, UT
Observer's e-mail address:	rfridell@burgoyne.com
Other observers who independently identified this bird:	other observers while the loon was present included Quinn Fridell, Dan Trujillo, Rob Dobbs, Meribeth Huizinga, Kevin Wheeler, Pam Wheller, Steve & Cindy Sommerfeld, etc.
Date prepared:	12-31-2011
Additional material:	Photos
Additional_Comments:	description copied from field notes.