IBRC 65-B-07

IDAHO BIRD RECORDS COMMITTEE
RARE BIRD REPORT FORM

SPECIES: Yellow-billed Loon, Gavia Adamsii
HOW MANY: one

REPORTER: Terry Gray 890 Stephany Ln. Moscow ID 83843 208-882-1585
REPORTER EMAIL: clgtlg@moscow.com
OTHER OBSERVERS: Earl Chapin discovered two birds along Sunnyside Road east of Sandpoint, Idaho.

DATE REPORT PREPARED: 11/8/2009
DATE SIGHTING OCCURRED: November 5, 2009
LOCALITY OF OBSERVATION: East of Sandpoint ID along Sunnyside Road, that portion of the road that runs east adn west to Hawkin's Point. Bird was observed approximately .5 mile west of Hawkins Point. (Lake Pend Oreille)
HABITAT: lake
CONDITIONS: Observed the bird for approximately .5 hour. Partly cloudy with light wind. The sun was behind the bird when I took photos but moved to the east slightly to observe the bird. Observed the bird with nocks, spotting scope and 30x camera.

DID YOU TAKE NOTES?: Yes, later the same day
DID YOU CONSULT FIELD GUIDE OR OTHER REFERENCES?: Yes, later the same day
WHAT GUIDE(S) OR REFERENCE(S) DID YOU CONSULT?: The Sibley Field Guide to Birds of Western North America and National Geographic Field Guide to the Birds of North America

DESCRIPTION: Loons. This was an obvious loon. This bird was much lighter in color than Common Loons and a Pacific Loon that was also in the area. This bird at one time was in range with a Common Loon and was much a much lighter brown color and appeared somewhat larger than the Common Loon. The most distinctive thing on this bird was that the bill was very yellow in color and not a drab gray like the Common Loon.
BEHAVIOR: This bird did not interact with the Common Loons that were close by. All the loons observed were very active hunting for food so were not on the surface except to get a gulp of air and return to the depths looking for fish. I did not obserse any success from any of the Loons or for that matter grebes while I was at the lake.

HOW AND WHEN DID YOU POSITIVELY IDENTIFY THE BIRD, AND WHAT CLINCHED THE IDENTIFICATION FOR YOU? I was able to positively id this bird when I saw the very bright yellow bill. Also the bird was a very soft brown with obvious light barring on the back. The neck was pale with an obvious dark patch on the cheek. Also this bird when on the surface always held its bill up similar to that of a Cormorant and not flat like the Common or Pacific Loons I observed.
HOW DID YOU ELIMINATE SIMILAR SPECIES, AND WHAT WERE THEY? The postrue of the head with the bird holding up it bill higher and not flat plus the bright yellow bill and soft brown coloration. All the other loons were much darker and appeared more gray than brown in color.
EXPERIENCE WITH THIS SPECIES (AND SIMILAR SPECIES): Since I grew up in Sandpoint and spent many hours fishing this area in the winter I can remember in the 60's that this species was present along this shore line nearly every winter. Also were seen between Trestle Creek and Hope along the shore. It you are fishing from the bank sometimes they swim very close to you so you get very good looks at all the loons and grebes as the hunt for food.
GENERAL BIRDING EXPERIENCE: Been an active birder and field trip leader for the past 12 years.

WERE PHOTO(S), VIDEO, AND/OR AUDIO OBTAINED BY YOU?: Photo