Verification of Unusual
Sight Record
For Utah
Rec. # 2015-52
| Common name: |
Yellow-billed Loon |
| Scientific name: | [Gavia adamsii] |
| Date: | 12/26/2015 |
| Time: | 9:45am |
| Length of time observed: | 1 1/2 hours |
| Number: | 1 |
| Age: | |
| Sex: | unknown |
| Location: | East Canyon Reservior |
| County: | Morgan |
| Latilong: | |
| Elevation: | |
| Distance to bird: | 500 yards |
| Optical equipment: | Nikon 10x42 Monarch Binoculars, Cannon Power Shot SX50HS camera, and ZEISS Victory DiaScope 85T* FL spotting scope with 20x to 60x eye piece |
| Weather: | very cold and sunny with some fog or steam rising from open water |
| Light Conditions: | very sunny/bright |
| Description: Size of bird: | large loon larger than Common Goldeneyes near bye |
| (Description:) Basic Shape: | loon |
| (Description:) Overall Pattern: | gray and white |
| (Description:) Bill Type: | large sword |
|
(Description:)
Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics: |
I went up to East Canyon looking for birds to add to the Morgan CBC count week
as this was the last day. Upon arriving at the reservoir (about 9:45am) which
was now about half iced over and the open water had water vapor rising creating
a foggy look. I along with my wife noticed a non-breeding plumage loon swimming
near the south shore at about the middle of the reservoir were it splits into
two arms. When I first got my binoculars on the bird I thought of the
Red-throated Loon seen recently on Rockport, as this bird was very light and was
swimming with its bill at an upward angle. I then noted it was way to big for
that and the bill looked very light, also it had a very flat head and with a
very steep forehead. I put the spotting scope on it and noted that its back had
very defined streaking on it, look to have dark only down the back of its neck
with some faint mottling on the sides and in the face, not the dark jagged neck
Common Loons have that I am used to seeing. The loon quickly swam out into the fog. I stuck around until the
sun had burned most of the fog off and I could try getting some photos. After
noting what I had saw I open my Sibley and decided this bird looked the closest
to the Yellow-billed Loon on the loon species page. I then called some the
nearest birders as I could not stay any longer. (see photos) |
| Song or call & method of delivery: |
none |
| Behavior: | swimming and diving for long periods |
| Habitat: | reservoir/lake |
| Similar
species and
how were they eliminated: |
Common Loon has darker bill, darker jagged neck, not as flat of forehead, and generally holds head with bill level when swimming where as this bird seem to had bill at a slight upward angle |
| Previous
experience with this & similar species: |
seen one on Rockport ten or so years ago, Common Loons every spring and fall at this and other reservoirs |
| References consulted: | Sibley field guide to birds of north america |
| Description from: | Notes taken at the time of the sighting |
| Observer: | Weston Smith |
| Observer's address: | 1375N 6800E Croydon, Utah 84018 |
| Observer's e-mail address: | ** |
| Other observers who independently identified this bird: | Billy Fenimore and Mike Hearell |
| Date prepared: | 12/26/2015 |
| Additional material: | Photos |
| Additional_Comments: |