Sighting Record for Utah

Common name:	Red-necked Grebe
Scientific name:	Podiceps grisegena
Date:	06/07/2018
Time:	12:30pm
Length of time observed:	10+ min
Number:	1
Age:	adult?
Sex:	unknown
Location:	Quail Springs Reservoir, near the dam
County:	Washington
Latilong:	Approx 3000 ft
Elevation:
Distance to bird:	Approx 300-500 yards
Optical equipment:	Leica 20-60x scope
Weather:	Clear, slightly hazy, windless
Light Conditions:	Clear, slightly hazy, windless
Description: Size of bird:	Approx crow or raven size, larger than Eared Grebe, smaller than loon
(Description:) Basic Shape:	waterfowl, eg, grebe or loon-ish (see detail below)
(Description:) Overall Pattern:	Dark body & neck; darker crown; extensive white in chin, throat, cheek
(Description:) Bill Type:	Fairly long and sturdy looking, evenly tapered to point
(Description:) Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics:	Bill: Fairly long and sturdy looking, evenly tapered to point. Crown: Blackish - darkest color (darker than body), including eyes. Head: Subtle swept-back "crest" or "mini-horn" on each side of back side of top of head, not always visible or apparent. Chin/Throat/Cheek: Extensive solid whitish - the most prominent and contrasty (and distinctive) field mark. Neck: Thick and fairly long; dark color (little contrast with body, at least in the light conditions). Body: Dark, like dark brown or sooty brown. Undertail: Twice at a certain angle or body position I detected a small, contrastingly paler area apparently showing from the extreme lower flank or undertail covert. Note: Overall this bird's coloration seemed washed-out. I wasn't certain whether it was in transition from basic to breeding, or worn, or whether the lighting was too glary.
Song or call & method of delivery:	Silent
Behavior:	Floating and swimming leisurely (with ease) and diving periodically. It stayed under for maybe 30 seconds, but I didn't consciously time it.
Habitat:	Lake/reservoir. There was much recreational activity on the lake and shore (boaters, sunbathers), so it remained in a cordoned off section near the dam, and well off shore where it was either deeper water or farther from human activity.
Similar species and how were they eliminated:	Loons: This reservoir often holds Common Loon (winter and passage) and infrequently/rarely Pacific (which I saw at my last visit in January) and Red-throated. The latter was reported earlier in the spring (May or April?) so I had this sighting in mind when I visited this time. However, this bird was too small and the white throat/cheek patch too distinctive. Eared/Horned Grebe: This bird was obviously too large and the bill too long. Several Eared Grebes were nearby in the same protected section of the reservoir. Western/Clark's Grebe: This was the other species I visited hoping to find. Westerns I know are frequent here in winter and migration, and apparently Clark's occur in passage but I've never been there to see them. This bird's neck was too thick and too dark instead of long and snakey and contrasty black-and-white. Plus the whitish cheek etc patch was distinctive.
Previous experience with this & similar species:	I am very familiar with the loon and grebe species, particularly in winter, from birding the Washington coast and Puget Sound. I knew immediately and instinctively this bird was a Red-necked Grebe, even though I had no idea of its scarcity. The whitish cheek etc patch was distinctive, as well as the bill size & shape and the thick neck. What I didn't consciously realize at the time, but looking at Sibley's comment I now realize that a significant "gizz" factor is the downward angle of the bill that was immediately recognizable. If I had any doubt as to the identity, it would be because (a) it's so unlikely and (b) the plumage was a bit washed out instead of sharply defined.
References consulted:	Sibley's field guide; checklist of Washington County birds, 2018, Rick Fridell.
Description from:	From memory
Observer:	Paul Hicks
Observer's address:	PO Box 1172, Tenino, WA
Observer's e-mail address:	**
Other observers who independently identified this bird:	Mike Schijf [next day, Photos]
Date prepared:	06/09/2018
Additional material:	No_additional_Materials
Additional comments:	I am an avid life-long recreational birder residing in Western Washington State. I visit Washington County 1-2x a year the last several years and bird there fairly extensively/intensively.