[Birdtalk] the four lake loon loop

[L. D. Giddings]

I decided to spend some time today looking for loons. I stopped at Deer
Creek reservoir, Jordanelle reservoir, Wanship reservoir, and East
Canyon reservoir. Common loons were present on all four bodies of water
nearly to the point of being abundant. I would estimate having seen a
minimum of 100-150 common loons on these four bodies of water. Not only
were individual loons observed, but flocks of loons with as many as 26
individuals were seen moving together on the water (note: what does one
call a flock of loons? an asylum? just curious. . . .).

A lone loon which may have been a red-throated loon was observed at
Jordanelle and has been reported to Birdnet.

Western grebes were seen on all four reservoirs. In addition a Clark's
grebe was observed on Wanship and eared grebes were spotted on Wanship
and East Canyon.

A large flocks of gulls was observed at the inlet end of Wanship, and
also at the inlet end of Echo reservoir as I sped by. I would estimate a
flock of 500-1000 gulls was assembled at the inlet end of Wanship. The
distance combined with atmospheric conditions made identifying the birds
rather a challenge, but the ones I could ID were California gulls.

A mystery gull was spotted at Deer Creek. It was an immature bird
feeding by itself, about 400 yards distant from the nearest accumulation
of California gulls and relatively near the road. It was about the size
of a ring-billed gull and seemed smaller than a California gull. It had
a pale nearly white chest, nape, and was similarly pale colored between
its eyes and above its bill but with a light brown face that made it
look nearly opposite of a hooded warbler. It had a slender, all-black
bill with a shape not unlike that of a mew gull. It's legs were a dull
yellow. It had very dark primaries that projected well beyond the end of
its tail. I watched it for about 15 minutes and attempted to photograph
it but without success. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Very few ducks were observed. There were occasional mallards on all four
lakes. A solitary American wigeon male was spotted way out on
Jordanelle. A male ring-necked duck and five females were seen near the
middle of Wanship. Several dozen common mergansers were observed
lounging on the far shore at East Canyon. And five Barrow's goldeneyes
were seen at the inlet end of East Canyon. Only one bird sported the
tell-tale tear-drop facial marking and black-and-white back plumage
which makes identification of the bird so simple. The other four were
similar in size and head shape but must have been molting or were
perhaps first-year birds as their faces were completely black. It was
very odd seeing goldeneyes without any of their characteristic white
face markings.

I sped past Echo reservoir as I went to and returned from East Canyon.
There were many birds on the water, but identifying them positively from
a distance while traveling at 70+ mph was beyond my capabilities. There
were also many birds on the water in the wetlands below the dam that I
did not get a look at. Given that the corollary of Murphy's law that
pertains to birding states that the best birds are in the places one
fails to check, I would suggest that someone stop by there tomorrow to
confirm the yellow-billed loon and red-necked grebe I undoubtedly
missed. It may also be where the spoonbill is hanging out.

Lu Giddings