I was able to view and get some photos of the loon yesterday at Perry Park
in Lake County.  After viewing the photographs and field notes and after
checking some references, there is some question about the bird's identity.
The question is whether it is a Pacific Loon or Arctic Loon.  One field mark
I noticed in the field was that the bird continually showed a distinct white
triangular flank patch.  This patch was almost always visible.  Some other
marks that seem to be more consistent with Arctic Loon is the color of the
nape and hindneck was the same shade of dark gray as the back.  In Pacific
it should be paler.  The head also appeared more angular on the crown.  It
was more similar to a Common Loon's head shape than the more rounded Pacific
Loon's.  The bird also seemed to swim with it's bill held slightly upwards,
another fieldmark of Arctic Loon.

The bird remained in the same area from at least 1:30-4:00, maybe it will
still be there.  The bird's overall coloration is very dark uniform gray, al
lot darker than the brownish color of Common Loon.

One thing Phil didn't mention in his post was watching the Parasitic Jaeger
fly by and actually fly directly over the loon and then chase a Bonaparte's
Gull over the loon.

It might be worthwhile to relocate the loon.  If you do try and get more
photos.

John Pogacnik
4765 Lockwood Road
Perry, OH 44081
440-259-2751

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