Pacific loon - Douglas Res (Larimer)

[John Shenot]

Fairly certain I am looking at a PAcific Loon in NE corner 330pm. Very distant. There is a common loon closer to the middle of the lake for comparison. Seems to match my Sibley picture of juvenile Pacific. Viewing from dam on w side with sun at my back

John Shenot
Fort Collins

[John Shenot]

After posting from my mobile phone, I took a good long time to study this bird. Still calling it a Pacific Loon. It was different in many characteristics from the Common Loon, though they never came near each other for a good comparison. I could repeat my field notes here, but they pretty much match the Sibley description and drawing of juvenile PALO - except that I couldn't detect a "necklace." National Geographic guide says some juvenile PALO don't have a necklace. Or maybe I was too far way to see it.

Would appreciate confirmation by a more skilled birder (if it hangs around)      

 :)

[Austin Hess]

Hi John. Sorry about the late notice and comments here but on Saturday the 9th of November me and my friend Nicole went over to Douglas Reservoir and immediately saw the bird you were talking about. We got stunning close views through the scope. We were in a spot where we could see amazing details and it wasn't that far away. I studied the bird and how it looked compared to a Common Loon for awhile standing there and I have no doubt at all it's a Pacific. Everything matched for Pacific when I was comparing the two. I couldn't find the Common Loon you saw at the reservoir but I looked at several photos and compared the Sibley guide to the Loon I was seeing. I saw nothing at all that suggests Common Loon. If you want a more detailed reason why I thought so go ahead and ask and I'll give you my explanations. Thanks for spotting the bird! It sure is a beauty, even for a juvenile.

Austin Hess

Fort Collins, Colorado