I had a meeting near Petersburg today which ended early so I decided to
return home via Kerr Reservoir to look for the goodies seen there lately.
It was well worth the trip! I arrived at Palmers Point Recreation Area around
3:40 PM and almost immediately spotted the Pacific Loon, loosely in the
company of 2 Common Loons. The birds were just off the point and provide
excellent views and comparison. I have some experience with this bird on the
west coast in winter and this bird is a classic Pacific Loon in winter
plumage. The bird was considerably smaller and slimmer than the Commons with
a more rounded head which was held parallel to the water for the most part.
The complete "chinstrap" is very pronounced as is the dark cap extending
below the eye and the white neck strongly outlined by the dark sides of the
neck. The Pacific was also much more active than the Commons. I last saw
the Pacific around 4:20 by which time it had strayed away from the other
loons and was nearly out of sight to the left of the point. What a GREAT find-
-Cheers to Adam D'Onofrio who first found this loon.
I dipped on the Snow Buntings and Red-necked Grebe but got brief looks a
probable Red-throated Loon in the cove to the left of the boat ramp at
Palmers Point. I also had a brief glimpse of a grebe near the dam which
looked amazingly like an Eared Grebe. However, I was never able to get more
than a fleeting glimpse as the bird dove/swam out of sight...keep an eye out!!
Other birds seen included a mini "raft" of Canvasbacks (about 8), 3 dozen DC
Cormorants below the dam, 10-12 Horned Grebe, and 1 imm Bald Eagle. Once
again a trip to this largest of VAs man-made lakes made for a great afternoon
of birding the Piedmont.
Good Birding,
Mike Boatwright
Amherst, VA
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