Pacific/Artic Loon -- York County, PA
Peter Robinson (peterrobins@hotmail.com)
Sat, 13 Jun 1998 19:13:54 PDT
PA Birders --
A breeding plumage Pacific/Artic Loon was found this afternoon at Long
Arm Reservoir, a few miles south of Hanover, by Clyde and Barb Fisher. I
went looking for it as soon as I heard about it, and found it about 2
PM. It took about 30 minutes to get a decent look at it, because it
kept diving. I would spot it with the binoculars, then it would dive
again before I could get the scope on it. About 20 minutes later I got
a second pretty good look at it. It finally stopped diving and showed
itself off for 15-20 minutes.
Apparently the bird has been at Long Arm since at least last Tuesday.
Karen Lippy said this evening that she saw a different looking Loon
there last Tuesday with binoculars, but did not have a scope along.
Question: Is there a way to separate Pacific and Artic Loon? The field
guides mention the gloss on the throat, but the National Geog. guide
says that the European form of the Artic Loon has a purple gloss on the
throat as does the Pacific Loon -- even if one would be fortunate enough
to see the throat in the right light. One guide says that the Artic
rear flank is light color. Is that diagnostic?
Directions: Take Route 194 (Frederick Street) southwest from the center
of Hanover. Turn left (south) onto Westminster Avenue. Go past south
Hills Golf Course, across Narrow/Fairview Drive, and past Impounding Dam
road that goes off to the left. Go STRAIGHT onto Grand Valley road,
which makes a sharp left turn below the dam. The bird was towards the
far side of the Reservoir, across from the boat launch.
Peter Robinson Two is company, 6 Billion is a crowd.
Hanover, York County, PA
peterrobins@hotmail.com Too many people >> Too little habitat.
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