Around 1:00 this afternoon I parked at the far end of the parking area
outside of Black Walnut Point NRMA on Tilghman Island.  As I was scanning
the pound nets nearest the shore, I picked up a vigorously-diving bird.  My
first thought was "Red-throated Loon," but as I continued to look at it,
that just didn't seem right.  Its head was noticeably rounded, and the crown
of the head, nape of the neck, and back were dark gray or black.  The
throat, cheek, and front of the neck were bright white.  There was a very
sharp, straight delineation between the dark nape and the white on the front
of the neck.  The bill, which was thinner than a Common Loon's but not as
thin as a Red-throated's, was NOT upturned.  When I finally checked my field
guides, I picked out what looked like the "right" picture immediately -
first winter PACIFIC LOON.  Although the bird was quite some distance away
(I was using the 60X on my scope), the water was absolutely calm and the
light was good.  The main problem was that the bird was diving constantly
(must have been a hungry bird), staying up for only 3 or 4 seconds at a
time.  I watched it for about 10 minutes but eventually lost sight of it.  I
moved to the other end of the parking lot and tried scanning from there, but
I could not relocate it.

Wow.  Maybe it will decide it likes Chesapeake Bay.


Elaine Hendricks
Greenbelt, MD  (PG County)