Date:         Sun, 6 Apr 2003 21:36:52 -0400
Reply-To:     Maryland Birds & Birding <MDOSPREY@HOME.EASE.LSOFT.COM>
Sender:       Maryland Birds & Birding <MDOSPREY@HOME.EASE.LSOFT.COM>
From:         Fred Shaffer <fshaffer@MNCPPC.STATE.MD.US>
Subject:      Assateague SP & mystery loon

I camped at Assateague State Park with my son this weekend and was able to
see many neat birds, plus a mystery loon.  I was able to do most of my
birding on Saturday.  The beach at Assateague had a large number of flyby
Common Loons, most of which were heading north.  Also present were a large
number of Gannets fairly close to shore.  Gulls consisted of Great Black
Backed, Herring, Ring-billed and Laughing Gulls.  Shorebirds included
Killdeer, Sanderlings, Dunlin, and Willets. Waders seen included Great Blue
Herons, Great Egrets, and 1 Glossy Ibis.  There was a HUGE whalebone washed
up on the beach.  I understand from a zoology friend on the trip that it is
rear part of the skull.  Long lines of Scoters flew over the ocean.

However, the most productive time was at the causeway, at the state park
boat launch.  A breeding plumage Common Loon fished nearby.  Red Breasted
Mergs and Brant were also present.  Surf Scoters were further out in the
bay, along with Bufflehead and Horned Grebes.

But, perhaps most interesting bird was a mysterious loon in the Bay.  It
was smaller than the nearby Common Loon, with a less heavy bill.  It was in
winter or juvenile plumage.  The back was very dark, a charcoal black. It
seemed much darker than a winter Red Throated Loon. The white on the throat
and faced was well-defined from the black on the head and back of neck (an
obvious, well defined line), and it lacked the white "indentation" usually
seen with Common Loons.  The bird that best fits what I saw was a winter
Pacific Loon, but I was unable to see a chin strap.  I would appreciate it
if anybody in the area keeps their eyes out for this bird.  It was in the
bay and I saw it from the boat lauch at Assateague State Park (on the west
side of Assateague Bay).  I saw it Saturday afternoon around 3 PM, but
didn't get back till late this afternoon from the camping trip to post.

Fred Shaffer
Patuxent Bird club
fshaffer3@aol.com

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