Sighting Record for Utah

Common name:	Red-throated Loon
Scientific name:	Gavia stellata
Date:	11/29/2025
Time:	10:00am~
Length of time observed:	15 minutes
Number:	1
Age:	immature
Sex:	?
Location:	Utah Lake
County:	Utah
Latilong:	40.353783, -111.890260 (approximate)
Elevation:	4,489ft~
Distance to bird:	200+m at closest
Optical equipment:	Kowa 88mm Spotting Scope
Weather:	Partly cloudy, calm, 40F
Light Conditions:	Good, calm water and flat light
Description: Size of bird:	No frame of reference, alone on the water
(Description:) Basic Shape:	long and slender
(Description:) Overall Pattern:	mostly gray
(Description:) Bill Type:	piscivore
(Description:) Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics:	We had gone out on the point of dry creek to scan for waterbirds on the lake with the scope, I spotted a Loon in my Binos so I put the scope on it, it was facing away so I couldn't see the bill or head details. It then turned its head and I saw a small bill unlike the expected Common Loon, so I assumed the next most likely loon Pacific. But then it turn fully around and faced us, showing both the full profile and the head on view of the throat, and I noted the throat was pale gray with no neck line, contrasting with a whitish chin. Also it consistently held its bill pointing up and had a flat head, back was pale gray with no barring and generally carried its body low in the water making it an immature Red-throated Loon. We then move a little closer onto the marina spit and watched it some more, although it was still rather far out. At the end of our observation it dove and we lost it. (see photos)
Song or call & method of delivery:	silent
Behavior:	loafing on the water, then diving
Habitat:	open shallow freshwater lake
Similar species and how were they eliminated:	Pacific Loon-similar size but hold bill level with the head. Sharply demarcated high contrast dark and white line on the side of the neck with a clean white throat, often with necklace under chin, usually some barring on back. Back of head often a shiny gray contrasting with darker body. More rounded head shape Arctic Loon-very similar to Pacific but head darker and bill larger, usually held level with head. Sharp neckline. White wedge on rump Common Loon-much larger with a larger bill usually held level, darker blackish head and back with some barring on back. Some juveniles very pale gray but all have white throat with a broken collar making a jagged neckline. Yellow-billed Loon-much larger with a huge yellowish bill, more brownish head and barred back Grebes-smaller and shorter bodied, longer necks in proportion to body length than loons Common & Red-breasted Mergansers-Similar is size and shape but orange bills, females shaggy red crests, males black heads.
Previous experience with this & similar species:	Yes, many in all age and plumage stages
References consulted:	Sibley app
Description from:	From photo(s) taken at the time of the sighting
Observer:	Bryant Olsen
Observer's address:	84102
Observer's e-mail address:	**
Other observers who independently identified this bird:	I was leading a Non-breeding Survey with 5 other participants. Esther Sumner, Charles Hurd, Connie Misket, Katie Wadsworth, Hayden Allen
Date prepared:	11/29/25
Additional material:	Photos
Additional comments:	eBird checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S286678346