|
English
and Scientific names: |
Western Grebe (Aechmophorus occidentalis)
|
|
Number
of individuals: |
1
adult plumage |
|
Locality:
LOUISIANA: |
Cameron |
|
Specific
Locality: |
GPS
29.76174,-93.55959 1.3 miles east of Constance Beach road in Gulf near
shore. |
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Date(s)
when observed: |
1-22-10 |
|
Time(s)
of day when observed: |
2:45
PM, watched bird about .5 hours. Most of the time it was underwater, but had
good looks when it surfaced. |
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Reporting
observer and address: |
Melvin
Weber |
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Other observers
accompanying reporter who also identified the bird(s): |
|
|
Other observers who
independently identified the bird(s) |
|
|
Light conditions
(position of bird in relation to shade and to direction and amount of light): |
Good |
|
Optical
equipment: |
30
power scope and 8x50 binoculars |
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Distance
to bird(s): |
About
200 feet to 300 feet |
|
Duration
of observation: |
Grebe
was diving a lot. Watched from 2:45 to 3:15 at which time I couldn't
relocate the bird. |
|
Habitat:
|
I
may have been nearer the rock breakers on the far side. |
|
Behavior
of bird: |
It
was swimming in fairly calm sea, first on beach side of breakers then far
side mostly between two rock piles. |
|
Description: |
Large
black and white grebe with a long neck and long yellow bill. All white
throat and front of neck whit black on back, back of neck and top of head.
Black on head included the eye location. |
|
Voice: |
|
|
Similar species: |
Clarks
grebe is similar but this bird looked like it was in, or close to adult
breeding plumage and the eye was definitely in the black of the head
crown. |
|
Photographs or tape
recordings obtained? |
Photo's
are not of great quality but are included, taken by me. |
|
Previous experience with
this species: |
This
is a state lifer for me, but I have seen this bird on two other occasions
near Denver. |
|
Identification
aids: |
I
consulted the National Geographic guide to verify the markings on the Clark's
grebe. |
|
This
description is written from: |
Notes
made during observation and memory (yesterday). |
|
Are you positive of your
identification? If not, explain: |
Of course
I am not positive since Clark's grebe shows a somewhat similar head pattern
for winter birds, but I feel pretty good that the head pattern was solid black
and covered eye completely. |
|
Date
and time: |
1-23-10 4:30 PM |