Good morning everyone,
I saw reports from Norm Lewis on eBird last night that there were two Yellow-billed Loons present at Marston, so since I had some time free this morning I figured I'd chase what would be a lifer for me.
I started out on the west side, where I immediately found the female Black Scoter that has been reported recently. Another great bird, and the best views of one I've had to date. I counted three loons from here, but they were fairly distant and very backlit, so I moved on quickly to Isthmus Park.
On arrival there, I heard the iconic call of a Common Loon - seemingly from the eastern side of the reservoir, though I never did get it scoped up. Consequently, it occurs to me that though I've observed this bird in other places in Colorado, Marston is the only place I've ever heard them calling. I don't know if it's coincidental, whether they call more at Marston, or if there's something about Marston that makes them more readily heard, in any case I love hearing the sound of the Great North Woods right here in my own backyard.
Getting back to the story at hand, I quickly scoped up two of the loons I had spotted from the west hugging the riprap on the northern shore of the reservoir. From this angle they were very brightly lit, but they seemed good for Yellow-billed just from the reports, and the fact that their bills seemed very strongly pale. Combing the reservoir for the third loon, I found a smaller, more slender bird with a very white throat and face. This one was closer and provided better views than the other two, and it wasn't long before I realized I was looking at a Red-throated Loon, another "good" loon for this area, and one I have had some experience with before. This bird remained generally associated with the white and orange buoys in the middle of the reservoir while I was observing.
Not satisfied with my views of the Yellow-billeds, I kept combing the reservoir, and they kept moving west - so far that it dawned on me that I might be able to get a stronger diagnostic look from where I started. So I made my way back over where I crossed paths with Ray Sperger. After observing the Black Scoter with him again, we found the loons but they were still too distant and backlit for confident ID. Ray suggested a spot near where the Bald Eagles are known to nest on the north shore as a potential place to observe from, so we headed over there.
And a good thing, too! Long story short, thanks to the ability to elevate ourselves in the bed of Ray's pickup, as well as his previous experience with the bird, we were able to get close (if still backlit) looks at the birds, good enough to clearly see the heavy bills with the upturned appearance due to the angled lower mandible. As an added bonus, we got some great looks in of the Bald Eagles working on their nest, as well as chasing a third rival eagle away from the area!
Many thanks to Norm for the initial report, and to Ray for his help getting back on these birds. It was a great morning chase before I get started on seemingly never-ending day-off housework and chores :D
Good birding!
Max Miller
Lakewood, CO
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