Pacific Loon,  Gavia pacifica

Number of accepted Pacific Loon records for Louisiana = 2 as of 25th Report of the LBRC (2022)

 


Accepted Records

One in basic plumage (2012-046) on 21 and 23 November 2012, Caddo: Shreveport, Cross Lake near S side equidistant between Bird Island and Buzzard Island; Terry Davis (ph, cover, see also p.11). This is the first accepted Louisiana occurrence.

Photo by Terry Davis

One immature (2018-012) on 12 January to at least 10 February 2018, St. James: Convent; Herman Callais Jr. (ph) . This is the second accepted state occurrence.

Photo by Herman Callais Jr.

Unaccepted Records

One in winter plumage (83-17) west of Holly Beach, Cameron Parish, 11 April 1983.

One in 1st basic plumage (1997-54) from 26 Feb-16 Mar 1997, Lafourche: Port Fourchon, Fourchon Road (Hwy. 3090) at W. side of Port Fourchon bridge; NASFN51(3):758. Following the initial report (no photographs), numerous observers subsequently observed what was presumed to be the same bird, and photographs were obtained. Members were in agreement that the photographs clearly show a Common Loon.

One in basic plumage (2011-108) on 26 November 2011, Union: D�Arbonne Lake, off N. Spillway Rd./PR-7713, ca 4.5 mi. SE of Farmerville. If accepted, this would have represented the first Louisiana occurrence. Although some Members believed that the description and photos were possibly suggestive for Pacific Loon, the overwhelming consensus was that the documentation was not strong enough to hold up as a first state occurrence, especially considering distances involved, viewing conditions, and (due to distance and lighting) the resulting relatively poor quality supporting photos.