[MDOsprey] Pacific Loon on the Susquehanna
PObrien776@aol.com
Sun, 14 Nov 1999 22:18:22 EST
Thanks to Don Burggraf for his timely and accurate description of the
interesting Loon above Conowingo Dam. And thanks to Rick Blom whose sharp
eyes picked it up this morning after our long hike up the river (more on
directions later).
Rick arrived shortly before I did (9:30 AM) but I caught up with him about a
half mile upstream. We hiked up the Cecil Co. side to the point just
opposite Broad Creek where 6-8 D-c. Cormorants, 8-10 Common Loons 2
Forster's Terns and perhaps 30 gulls (mostly Bonaparte's) were feeding on the
Harford Co. side of the river. We scoped the area for about 1/2 hour and
were edging toward resignation that the interesting loon was not there.
That's when Rick found it, at about 10:30 AM, feeding by itself near the far
shore - almost a mile away. We were using Swarovski spotting scopes at 60
power. The Pacific Loon (PALO) had an almost dainty bill and a smoothly
rounded head with a nape that looked puffed up. The sun was behind us on the
left. As we studied the PALO, cloud cover moved in to give us near perfect
neutral light. With the improved light we could see that the forehead was
dark but the crown and nape were silvery gray with a very dark back. The
crown extended down below the eye, and there was a dusky cheek patch
surrounded on three sides by the dark sides of the crown and neck. Residual
adult plumage extended from below the ear patch to below the throat where the
"chin strap" would be expected. The nape wrapped around the neck so that the
white of the neck was restricted to the front. At the forward edge of the
nape was a darker band that ran down the side of the neck, narrowest below
the ears and widest at the base of the neck, so wide in fact that the two
neck bands met on the back at the base of the nape. The effect was striking
when the bird was viewed from behind because the gray nape tapered down to a
point where it met the back. Viewed from in front, the dark forehead
appeared to be continuous with the dark bands down the side of the neck,
forming a frame around the dusky throat and white neck. In time the PALO
crossed over to the Cecil Co. side, being only a bit more than 1/3 of the way
across the river. At this time it was in the close company of a Common Loon
(COLO), with which it interacted while feeding. The PALO was about 2/3 the
length and size of the COLO. Its bill was perhaps 2/3 the length and less
than 1/2 the thickness at the base compared to the COLO's, and was uniformly
dark with a grayish cast. There was no sign of markings on the back, and the
head showed no evidence of the bumps and flat crown of the COLO. In behavior
the PALO was much more agile, exhibiting rapid movements such as darting
around on the surface in pursuit of schooling fish. At times it preened and
exhibited a white underside with dark legs and feet. It never rolled over
far enough to see a vent strap. A preening COLO had dark legs and feet with
pink centers to the webs, seen only when the foot was spread.
The best viewing is from the Cecil Co. side of the river along the railroad
tracks. After crossing Conowingo Dam on US 1 take a left at the light onto
Rock Springs Road. Proceed almost a mile to a left on Mt. Zoar Rd. which
runs about 2 miles as it winds down the hill to a boat launch. Continue
over the bridge and up the hill on the other side of the creek. Shortly
after the road straightens out parallel to the river there is a small cutout
on the left shoulder (the beginning of a former ramp down to the railroad
tracks). Two to three cars can be squeezed into this small area. Walk down
the blocked-off ramp and hike upstream about 1 3/4 miles. There is a long
straight stretch, a bend to the right, another long straight stretch then a
prolonged curve to the left that brings you to a sharp right curve around a
point, which is the closest approach to the far side. This puts you almost
directly opposite the mouth of Broad Creek where there are numerous small
houses. We first saw the PALO to the right of the creek along a rocky cliff
face. Later it moved to the left of the creek before coming across toward
our location. At no time in the five hours that we were there did it leave
the vicinity of Broad Creek.
This is the same location where a PALO was seen during the winter of
1997-1998. It is possible that it spent the entire winter, and perhaps again
last year and may do so again this winter. But it was not easy to find in
1997 and may require patience. Alternatively, bring Rick with you.
Other observers were Harvey and Marion Mudd, who came in response to Don's
message, and Mark and Amy Hoffman and Les Eastman, the latter three summoned
by cell phone (it works).
I hope lots of you can see this bird - and photograph it if possible.
Paul O'Brien
Rockville, MD
pobrien776@aol.com