I (along with 2 other birders) observed the possible Arctic Loon today (Friday 1/18/08) from 11:10 to 12:20 from the Old Van Zandt County Park Boat Ramp (about ¼ mile east of Holiday Marina) on Lake Tawakoni. The bird was found in the same location as previously reported by Matt White: between the County Park boat ramp and the dam, toward the northern edge of the dam. It took about an hour to find it. It was very far away- I’d guess at least ¾ of the way across the lake from us, and that combined with small waves made viewing a challenge. The winds were low, and the temp was about 35 degrees with light snow flurries. Two other gentlemen from Houston had also been there since morning, but they had to leave before the loon was located.

I am certainly not a loon expert, nor have I studied many loons, but I am happy to relate my observations.

This loon has obvious and conspicuous white areas along the sides and flanks on both sides. The white areas on the sides and flanks appeared clean and bright, and in high contrast to the dark feathers on the loon’s back and the back of its neck. They were the same bright white as the bird’s breast. The white on the sides was extensive, and became higher toward the posterior of the body, flaring up at the flanks. This white was nearly always highly visible, and depending on how the bird was riding in the water, the white extended above the waterline 1/3 (at times closer to ½) of the way up the side of the loon’s body, before it angled down near the tail. This white was visible on both sides of the bird as it drifted rather inactively in the water.

For about 10 minutes, I could see a well-defined band of black, passing through the white, near the posterior of the bird. If this was a vent-strap, I could not see whether it was partial or complete, because the loon did not roll toward the side, but stayed level in the water. I could see a small triangle of white posterior to this band, near the loon’s tail.

The loon often held its head in a resting position, turned back, over half the time. When its head was up, it usually held its bill in a level position, although it held it raised at an angle for about 10 minutes.

At this extreme distance, I could not pick up the bill or head details of the loon. The contrast of the white patches was much easier to see. Try as I might, I really couldn’t visualize the shape or heaviness of the bill or accurately define the shape of the head, the presence or absence of a chin strap, or the color shading of the feathers on the back of the neck. I could not tell if there was white above the eyes, because I could not see the eyes. (Perhaps that was because they were not surrounded by the white, but I can’t say…I could not determine the placement of the eyes in relation to the dark feathers on the bird’s head and crown.) There was just too much distance and too many bouncy waves. Sorry everybody.

There were lots of Common Loons present, and one other (or maybe two others) had a significant amount of white on their sides, although not as bright, contrasting, or extensive as the loon in question. This loon was a bit smaller than one Common Loon that swam by it, but it was isolated on the water most of the time, and there was little opportunity for comparison. Eventually the loon started diving, and its position was lost. It was a shame because the water had just become still and glassy, and the loon was moving closer.