Date: 12/7/12 9:23 pm
From: Jon Corcoran <nvjxc11...>
Subject: [MDBirding] Probable PACIFIC LOON at Fort Howard Park


Hi Everyone,

Tonight towards dusk I was scoping off Fort Howard Park (Baltimore. south of North Point State Park)�when my scope hit a very interesting looking loon that I was not able to pin in the field. The bird was do-west, past the large rock pile off the bank (The only protruding formation there off the�bank).�It didn't really fit the build for�either of the common loons�(Common or Red-throat). The bird, too me, looked more to have a Red-throat build, but was extremely dark. The head was very round and the bill was slight. The bird just didn't fit for a Common Loon. The area around the eye was very dark and there was a white cheek-patch. The black down the neck was smooth, and there was no sign of a ring towards the base of the neck. I also noted no white spotting on the bird... I was stumped.

When I got home I started looking at my books and found a depiction in Sibley and Crossley that looked strikingly like what I saw. I downloaded a 60x scope, 5x video I had taken and viewed it at full-screen. I started to shake as the similarities captured in the video to the book depictions were compelling. In fact, the drawings and photos I see for non-breeding PALO look like the closest fit to this bird. I'm hoping this bird will be refound tomorrow and better photos taken.

I have posted the video and a callage to view. Any input on this bird is welcome and appreciated.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/thrasher72/

Thanks,

Jon Corcoran
Catonsville, MD

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