Sighting Record for Utah

Common name:	Red-necked Grebe
Scientific name:	Podiceps grisegena
Date:	Nov 2, 2013
Time:	1300
Length of time observed:	1 hr, over two visits
Number:	1
Age:	1st winter
Sex:	Unknown
Location:	Pineview Reservoir
County:	Weber
Latilong:	41 deg 15 min 24.00 111 deg 50 min 00.75
Elevation:	4885
Distance to bird:	35-150 yards
Optical equipment:	85 mm scope w/ 20-60 x zoom eyepiece, 8 x 42 binos
Weather:	Idyllic fall day; clear, 40 deg
Light Conditions:	Sunny, blue sky, light behind observers
Description: Size of bird:	About 2/3 nearby Common Loon
(Description:) Basic Shape:	Pointed crest, long neck, flattened oval body
(Description:) Overall Pattern:	Varying dark upper parts, white under parts
(Description:) Bill Type:
(Description:) Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics:	Bill_Type: Spear-like Bird_Description: Bare parts: Bill: Likely about 3 inches; as long as head from front-to-back of head. Dark grayish-black on upper mandible with bright yellow edge along culmen and at proximal end. Lower mandible bright yellow. Eye: Dark and blended with dark crown. Feet: Dark and mounted so far back on bird's body that heels were visible above water as bird paddled away from observers. Head: Crown blackish and pointed at rear. Short black line under eye extending into white cheek. Longer black line from top of eye extending backward through white cheek to join blackish-brownish rear of neck. Chin: white. Neck: Whitish, becoming murky rust at sides and blending into brownish back of neck. Belly: apparently white, but rarely visible. Upper parts: Back of neck becoming brownish below crown. Dorsal surface of body mottled gray, no markings. Sides: Fluffy mottled paler gray above bird's water line. Wingtips met at tail and did not extend beyond bird's body over water. (see drawings)
Song or call & method of delivery:	None heard.
Behavior:	Swimming and preening placidly at deepest and most narrow portion of the reservoir near Pineview Dam. Often picked at objects on water's surface. Jump-dived occasionally, catching big air before submerging. Unwary toward fisherman in a boat, passing as close as 20 feet. Turned eye skyward multiple times to watch a Bald Eagle pass overhead.
Habitat:	Deep, freshwater mountain reservoir.
Similar species and how were they eliminated:	From Clark's and Western Grebes: More compact body size/shape, developing brownish on neck, facial stripes not a feature of juvenile Clark's/Western. From Horned Grebe: Yellow bill, black eye instead of red, size in comparison to nearby loon. Red-throated Loon: Facial stripes, pointed crest.
Previous experience with this & similar species:	Two previous RN Grebes, records 2004-37 and 2006-19. Extensive experience with Clark's, Western, Horned. RT Loon: Can't remember; sorry.
References consulted:
Description from:	Notes taken at the time of the sighting
Observer:	Kristin Purdy, Stephanie Burninsh
Observer's address:	Ogden, UT
Observer's e-mail address:	**
Other observers who independently identified this bird:	Found and reported by Mike Hearell and Taylor Abbott at 11 a.m. Also, later with Jack Rensel
Date prepared:	Nov 3, 2013
Additional material:	Drawing
Additional_Comments:	Field sketch by Stephanie Burnish while on the scope; labeled by Kristin Purdy