LOUISIANA BIRD RECORDS COMMITTEE REPORT FORM

1. English and Scientific names: Pacific Loon- Gavia pacifica

2. Number of individuals, sexes, ages, general plumage (e.g., 2 in alternate plumage): 1 basic-plumaged individual, age unknown- at least one of the photos taken the first day might suggest a first-winter individual due to the pale markings on back- although this is subjective and might be an effect of the afternoon sun causing the existing pale marks to show more prevalently? Nonetheless, our initial thoughts were basic adult. Possibly male?. Attempt at sexing concerning observation on 11/23/12- While it looked quite small compared to the three Common with which it was actively foraging, the size difference wasn't overly noticeable as it seemed that it should have been. While trying unsuccessfully to locate the PALO later that afternoon, a runt Common, possible female, was observed close within a group of Common, which also appeared noticeably smaller in comparison to others with which it swam and dove closely .

3. Locality: LOUISIANA: (parish) _______Caddo_____________________________________

Specific Locality: Cross Lake- mid-lake, slightly closer to South side. On lake approx equidistant between Bird Island and Buzzard Island, slightly closer to Bird Island- due North of Moss Point________________________________________________________

4. Date(s) when observed: 11/21/2012 and 11/23/2012

5. Time(s) of day when observed: 11/21/12= approximately from 4:00 to 4:45/5:00 P.M. 11/23/12= approximately from 2:30 TO 3:15 P.M.

6. Reporting observer and address: Terry Davis

7. Other observers accompanying reporter who also identified the bird(s): Dr Charles E Lyon ON 11/21 AND 11/23, Hubert Hervey ON 11/23

8. Other observers who independently identified the bird(s):

9. Light conditions (position of bird in relation to shade and to direction and amount of light): 1. 11/21/12- Sunny/clear and calm water. Bird was observed and intermittently photographed in good later afternoon light from different directions. Charlie constanly manouvered the boat, strategically positioning us with bird to our East for good sun angle during observation. It was observed until the light was somewhat waning.2. 11/23/12- The weather was cloudy but bird was observed earlier in day in good light but more turbulent water conditions- again after Charlie positioned boat for best viewing angles.

10. Optical equipment (type, power, condition): Brunton Eterna 11 x 45 binoculars

11. Distance to bird(s): 1. 11/21/12= From approx 25 feet up to 200 to + yards during initial spot. 11/23/12= From 50 feet to 100 or so yards. Choppier water conditions made closer observations a must during the latter survey

12. Duration of observation: 1. 11/21/12- Approximately 45 minutes to one hour, with bird being observed and photographed intermittently during that time. 11/23/12- For approximately 45 minutes, maybe slightly less, with bird being observed and videoed.

13. Habitat: Open, rather shallow, man-made lake- individual on open water, approximately 300+,- yards North of the South shore of the lake.

14. Behavior of bird / circumstances of observation (flying, feeding, resting; include and stress habits used in identification; relate events surrounding observation): 11/21/12= Observed by itself as it dived and foraged, occasionally swimming quite slow and appearing relaxed on calm water. Allowed rather close approach mid-way through survey. 11/23/12= Observed moving rather quickly, actively diving and foraging closely with 3 Common Loon. Slightly more wary this day and not allowing close approach. Only briefly seen after separating from the Common Loon afterward.

15. Description (include only what was actually seen, not what "should" have been seen; include if possible: total length/relative size compared to other familiar species, body bulk, shape, proportions, bill, eye, leg, and plumage characteristics. Stress features that separate it from similar species): 11/21/12= Charlie and I first observed what appeared to be a smallish loon quite distant, approximately 200 to + yards to our East. Charlie jokingly quipped that "just like all the others today, it's going to get larger the closer we get". I laughed in agreement. As we approached closer, I said "this one looks to be staying small", but still definitely wasn't sure of anything. However, We both agreed shortly afterward that it was Pacific, once we'd gotten within 100 yards or so, then especially once much closer. Observed was a smallish loon, noticeably dark above, with small rounded forehead and dark back. The pale markings of back revealed in photo were hard to see during the sight observation the first day and our initial thought were that it was a probable adult. As we approached closely, the straight line crisply and cleanly separating the dark side and hind-neck, lacking the paler, off-whitish jag in toward the hindneck of Common and the overall paler rear auricular look of common, with the bird having somewhat of a curl of dark under the auriculars and somewhat toward the front, was evident. The dark portion of neck through crown also appeared quite dark and evenly-colored toward the front of neck, face and crown, then grading subtly into a faintly paler region at hind-neck and top of crown. The chin-strap was also evident. The face was dark above and crisply delineated from lower face and throat with bird also lacking pale, narrow crescent above eye. The bill was noted to be comparatively small and appeared to lack a noticeable gonydial angle or wedge-shaped tip to lower mandible which is usually fairly easily seen in Common. We followed closely, scrutinizing the bird as close as possible on the calm water in what we feel was a good attempt at eliminating the possibility of a much-less-likely Arctic Loon. Nothing more than a faint sliver of white between flanks and the water surface was ever evident as the bird moved. The bird was initially wary, then allowed close approach for ten minutes or so as we observed and photographed, then became wary and harder to approach after that. Much like loons in general, it was also keenly adept at diving, then surfacing at a bad sun angle in relation to our viewing position, with Charlie having to constantly move the boat into position for better views. There were at least 6 Common Loon in the general vicinity, including a close-knit group of three farther East and 3 widely scattered singles to the West of it- although the Pacific was only observed alone and quite some distance from Common Loon or any other waterbirds the first day. 11/23/12= The bird was observed swimming, diving and foraging along closely and quickly with three Common Loon. It frequently vanished for periods of time from within the group, then later separated completely and was observed briefly, before again vanishing for the last time. If I'm not mistaken, pending LBRC acceptance of this record- also if provided acceptance of the 2011 individual observed and photographed by Justin and Devin Bosler, this would be a 2nd state record for Louisiana.

16. Voice: The individual was silent

17. Similar species (include how they were eliminated by your observation): 1. Arctic Loon- by lack of white patch on lower side/flanks where body meets water. This was observed with the bird actively diving and foraging- also somewhat relaxed on the glassy, calm water the first day. 2. Common Loon- by overall size and small, rounded head shape lacking sudden angle toward bill. PALO posessed Crisp, straighter demarcation between dark hind and whitish fore-neck, also lacked pale partial collar/jagged triangle extending in and pointed toward hindneck from front. The former also in comparison with Common's paler,less crisp and more diffuse demarcation between light and dark hind-neck to fore-neck and crown to face. PALO also lacking pale, narrow crescent above eye as in Common. Noticeable dark auricular curl and "Chin strap" also apparent in PALO, not seen in Common. Bill smaller, narrower/more pointed, appearing to lack fairly easily-seen gonydeal angle or upwardly wedged-shaped end of lower mandible of Common.

18. Photographs or tape recordings obtained? (by whom? attached?): Photos taken on 11/21/12, then downloaded/cropped by Charlie, with no additional doctoring of the photos. Video also obtained of the bird on 11/23 which Mark Swan thankfully transferred over to computer, along with stills from that video.

19. Previous experience with this species: Zero other than frequent study post-season of artwork, photos and text regarding the species in past years, in anticipation of a possible future arrival.

20. Identification aids: (list books, illustrations, other birders, etc. used in identification):

a. at time of observation:

b. after observation: Looked briefly at Nat Geo and Sibley in an attempt to correctly assign an age to the bird.

21. This description is written from: ___1__ notes made during the observation (_____notes attached?);__2___notes made after the observation (date:_____); ____some_memory.

22. Are you positive of your identification if not, explain: Yes!

23. Signature of reporter: ____Terry Davis__________________________Date:___12/13/2012_______Time:_______