I just spent an hour and a half with the Hayden Lake mystery loon and I am
now certain that it is an ARCTIC LOON. From 150 feet, in sunny, calm
weather, I scoped and photographed the bird at leisure. It dove, preened,
and just loafed.

In profile, it has the basic look of a Pacific Loon. It lacks the chin
strap. It has a white area apparent above the water line. It has white
rump patches. The top of the head is flat, not rounded. It has a white
cheek and ear covert area extending well back of the eye.

I will have pictures back later this afternoon and will try to get one
scanned in if they have turned out.

I have been getting requests for detailed directions to the site and will
post these later.

Also in the area today were a Common Loon, Red-necked, Horned, and Western
Grebes, and Bufflehead.

Stephen Lindsay
Coeur d'Alene, Idaho
slindsay at dmi.net