Today was a banner day at Kerr Reservoir in Mecklenburg County. At
approximately 2:45 PM, I refound the Pacific Loon in the same general
area that it was discovered a few weeks ago. I found the bird at the
Palmer Point Recreation Area at the end of Palmer Point Road off of
Route 4. This time the bird was directly off the point facing due west.
I had excellent lighting and no wind which gave me great scope looks.
The bird was preening in view for quite some time. It has a definitive
complete "chinstrap" and all the other field marks were noted again.
Once again I was afforded excellent comparison looks with a Common Loon
which was nearby and at times in the same field. However, when seen
clearly by itself through a scope under good conditions, this bird is
unmistakable. By the time I left, motorboat traffic had forced the bird
to the far shore directly across from the point. Best of luck to anyone
who makes the effort to go down and try to see this bird.
Earlier in the day, I had another excellent bird. At around
11AM, I was at North Bend Park looking across the reservoir towards the
dam when I saw a grebe a good ways south of the dam. I thought it was a
good candidate for a Red-necked Grebe but I could not tell for sure. I
raced over to the second lookout on the other side of the dam and I was
able to make a definitive identification of Red-necked Grebe. The bird
was large with a thick neck and broad head. The long yellowish bill was
distinct. The bird flew briefly showing the white leading edge of the
secondary wings. I chased he bird around the reservoir for quite some
time before it headed south out of sight. Other birds I had today
included Horned Grebe (many), Pied-billed Grebe, Double-crested
Cormorant, Great Blue Heron, Bufflehead, Bald Eagle, Herring Gull,
Red-headed Woodpecker, American Pipit (flyover) and the other common
winter woodland birds. Good birding.
Adam D'Onofrio
Keysville
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