Date: 3/7/25 7:18 am From: Chris Kellner <ckellner...> Subject: Re: Clark's Grebe at Lake Maumrlelle/Bufflehead Bay
I agree with Kenny, those are some amazing shots and take all of the guesswork out of the id.
From: The Birds of Arkansas Discussion List <ARBIRD-L...> On Behalf Of Kenny Nichols
Sent: Friday, March 7, 2025 8:10 AM
To: <ARBIRD-L...>
Subject: Re: Clark's Grebe at Lake Maumrlelle/Bufflehead Bay
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I just want to give a big THANK YOU to Michael for going out on the boat and getting these photos under difficult conditions. I'm sure the fisherman was like "what the heck". And we were all so eager for him to get his usual "magazine cover" shots that I think we overwhelmed him with our directions to the bird. Seeing the bird out on a boat is much more difficult than looking thru a scope on land. And a thank you to Patty for flagging down the boater, otherwise we'd never have the photos we have.
I haven't had my coffee yet and wasn't thinking clearly. Here you go...our eBird report from Bufflehead Bay with Michael's photos (from the boat) of the Clark's Grebe.
https://ebird.org/checklist/S216929314
Patty
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From: Ragupathy Kannan <0000013b0ad14faf-dmarc-request...><mailto:<0000013b0ad14faf-dmarc-request...>> Date: 3/7/25 7:26 AM (GMT-06:00)
To: <ARBIRD-L...><mailto:<ARBIRD-L...> Subject: Re: Clark's Grebe at Lake Maumrlelle/Bufflehead Bay
I’m eager to see one of the photos taken of the Clark’s Grebe.
Kannan
On Friday, March 7, 2025, 7:08 AM, Patty McLean <000008e6fff5e5c8-dmarc-request...><mailto:<000008e6fff5e5c8-dmarc-request...>> wrote:
The Clark's Grebe continues this morning. According to Matt Matlock, and it's apparently relatively close to shore. Red-throated Loons and Red-necked Grebes are also close. Info on this location;
https://birdinghotspots.org/hotspot/L796628
Patty McLean
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From: Patty McLean <plm108...><mailto:<plm108...>> Date: 3/6/25 1:09 PM (GMT-06:00)
To: <ARBIRD-L...><mailto:<ARBIRD-L...> Subject: RE: Mystery Grebe (Western or Clark's?)
A group of us checked again this morning and we are calling this a Clark's based on an orange bill, clean white above/around the eye, and thin black down the back of the neck.
We commandeered a fisherman to take Michael out to photo the bird with us on shore giving directions via cell phone. Now that's a story unto itself -- but he pulled it off and got some documentary photos which we'll add later to our shared eBird list.
A big shout out to Roger Massey, who first located this bird, and to Kenny and LaDonna Nichols for noticing the interesting features that looked like a Clark's. If approved, this will be a first state record.
Participants include Roger Massey, Kenny and LaDonna Nichols, Ragan Sutterfield, Sarah Morris, Randy Robinson, a young woman named Leah, and a super nice fisherman named Chris (who surely have a story to tell his friends and family).
Best viewing area is Bufflehead Bay out toward the main body of water. A scope is highly recommended. Mornings have been good.
Patty McLean and Michael Linz
The Roadrunners
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From: Patty McLean <plm108...><mailto:<plm108...>> Date: 3/5/25 1:41 PM (GMT-06:00)
To: <ARBIRD-L...><mailto:<ARBIRD-L...> Subject: Mystery Grebe (Western or Clark's?)
Well, another rarity was photographed on Sunday by Roger Massey from Bufflehead Bay on Lake Maumelle. He reported it with photos as a Western Grebe, which altho rare is certainly less rare than a Clark's Grebe. On Monday, Kenny and LaDonna Nichols looked for it and found a large Aechmophorus grebe that appeared paler across the backside with a bright orange-yellow bill, which would suggest a Clark's Grebe. So the Arkansas Bird Records Committee is reviewing several photographs, and Michael and I are attempting to get more. It will be critical to confirm this with documentary photographs because if it turns out to be a Clark's Grebe, it will be the official first state record.
Why so confusing? Well, initially these two were considered separate species and then became lumped for an extended period of time when the Clark's was considered a lighter morph of the Western. In 1985, they were again separated into two distinct species with the additional challenge of hybridization.
Thus the need for careful study and review.
While at Bufflehead Bay this morning, we also relocated the Pacific Loon and added an immature Red-throated Loon and a near-breeding plumaged Red-necked Grebe. There were also several Horned Grebe showing their golden horns. We plan to go back this afternoon and try for documentary photos.
