[TN-Bird] Percy Priest Lake - Pacific Loon

From: Scott Somershoe <Scott.Somershoe@xxxxxx>
To: TN-Birds <tn-bird@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Sun, 20 Nov 2011 01:37:00 +0000
Chad Smith and I birded a few of the usual spots on Priest Lake this afternoon 
(Davidson Co.).  Pretty much nothing to write home about, almost nothing to 
write on a checklist, nor put into eBird until we spotted a Pacific Loon at the 
dam.

I spotted the bird a little before 4pm and had pretty nice looks as it was 
slowly drifting towards us in fairly calm waters (and we were not being blown 
away by wind).  We clearly saw the necklace or chin strap on the bird rather 
than the common loon collar (this was very distinct and noticeable to both of 
us), a distinctly smaller, shorter, and thinner bill, clean white throat with a 
distinct, clean line from the white throat and the dark gray of the back of the 
neck, and no white above the eye.  The bird seemed to have a fairly dark back, 
but with the lighting and variability in the hundreds of common loons I've seen 
recently, that wasn't a real helpful ID marker.  The bird did not have any 
white on the flanks.

When I first saw the bird, my loon radar went off as it was just not right 
(meaning I finally spotted a loon that wasn't a common loon and there was no 
doubt it wasn't a common loon).  Fortunately we got good views for about 3 min 
at about 150m with good lighting, had a chance to confirm with field guides (it 
was a lifer for both of us), and for me to grab my camera.  The bird was diving 
regularly, but kept popping up closer and closer to us.  Unfortunately the bird 
disappeared when we walked down the stairs from the parking area to the grassy 
lake shore adjacent to the dam where I was going to take photos!

Thirty minutes later, Chad spotted a bird that was probably the Pac Loon, but 
it was facing into a moderate headwind and barely turning its head to look back 
our way.  It just didn't give much of a look in the low light, at great 
distance, and with wind that was shaking the scope too much, but I think it was 
probably the bird.  It was alone, while there was a small raft of Common Loons 
about a mile from the dam.

All things considered, it may be in the dam area in the morning, so anyone 
interested in chasing it may start at the dam and scope from a couple of the 
boat ramps in the area.

Great Bird!
Scott Somershoe
[TN-Bird] Percy Priest Lake - Pacific Loon

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