Voting Comments

Record #: 25-B-07

Red-throated Loon

1st Round:: 6-1
2nd Round: 7-0
ACCEPT

1st Round
(6 Accept, 1 Reject)

2nd Round
(7 Accept, 0 Reject)

06-23-2007.
Sturts -- Accept

I Couldn't tell much from the picture but the description fit that of the Red-throated Loon and there were reports from 2 experienced birders plus I believe others came to see this bird.
08-12-2007.
Sturts -- Accept

I'm staying with my vote to accept. I think the description elminated the Pacific Loon; white speckling on the back, the head shape, upturned bill, the 1/2 inch dark line going down the back of the neck and the red starting to appear on the neck. The Pacific Loon was also present for comparison by the observers.
6/24/2007.
Cliff Weisse -- Accept

The description is consistent with Red-throated Loon and the photo is sufficient to show structure and overall color pattern including a white triangular patch on the cheek and small rounded head.
8/15/07.
Cliff Weisse -- Accept

See first round comments
6/26/07.
Charles Swift -- Reject, specific identification not established

Despite the fact that this is a poor image, the bird pictured does not appear to me to be a Red-throated Loon. The neck seems too thick and the back too dark for this species. Also in Red-throated the head is normally held at a higher angle. I'm guessing this could be a Pacific Loon but couldn't say for sure. It's possible that there was a Red-throated Loon present but it doesn't appear to be the bird photographed. The written details are not sufficiently convincing otherwise.
8/23/07.
Charles Swift -- Accept

I'm changing my vote being convinced by other comments on round 1 voting.
06-30-2007.
Dave Trochlell -- Accept

I accept this record candidate with no reservations. Though blurry, the RTLO image was helpful.
08-16-2007.
Dave Trochlell -- Accept

I'll stand by my previous vote to accept this record. The picture, though poor, helps support the two descriptions. I've seen literally thousands of Red-throated Loons on the Pacific Coast, and now feel confidant that this species can be reliably identified at great distance by silhouette alone.
6-30-07.
Carlisle -- Accept

Descriptions good - photo hard to do much with. I hesitate b/c while posture and bill size/shape seem right, the apparent dark area on the lower neck/upper chest doesn't seem right. However, maybe it's because the bird is in a transitional plumage between winter & breeding ....
8-23-07.
Carlisle -- Accept

no change from round 1 comments
2 July 2007.
Hardy -- Accept

Both reports give sufficient description to establish an idntification of RTLO, but differ enough that I wonder if this was the same bird. On April 13, Chapin describes an all-white neck, while on the 16th, Gray describes some red on the neck. I guess it is possible that this is the same bird with 3 days difference in moult. The photo does show the head profile and patterning of light and dark which confirm the id.
23 August 2007.
Hardy -- Accept

My comments remain the same as for first round.
07-02-2007.
chuck trost -- Accept

two good descriptions and about the fuzziest picture I've ever tried to look at.