Date: 7/15/25 10:13 am From: Dan Singer via groups.io <dsg2...> Subject: Re: [northbaybirds] Pt. Reyes, Fish Docks, question about loons, 7.14.25
Hi Denise,
Note in your quote from Birds of the World that it says “Rarely observed in most wintering areas during summer...” Summering loons are not rare off the Marin and Sonoma coasts and many other sites along the Pacific Coast, especially to our north. Loons take several years to reach maturity so many of these birds are sub-adults. I believe it is unknown at what age Red-throateds (and others loon species?) will breed for the first time, so maybe even once they acquire a more mature alternate (breeding) plumage some birds may still not move north to breed. Note in Larry Nigro’s photos some adult-like birds show very worn primaries suggesting these feathers are not be as strong (more prone to wear) as those of more mature birds, suggesting these are non-breeders as opposed to early arrivals. No doubt there are additional reasons some loons may summer south of the breeding grounds. Whether these birds wintered at this location is not known, though it seems reasonable to think some may have.
Cheers,
Dan Singer
Marin
> On Jul 14, 2025, at 22:34, Denise Hamilton via groups.io <2napabirders...> wrote:
>
> Hi all, Tired of sitting at home and didn't want to go birding inland because of the heat, so headed over to Pt. Reyes. Went out to the Fish Docks, walking down the road to get down to the water's edge. There we saw a 'flock' of RED-THROATED LOONS - 20 together right next to the shore and more a bit further out. About 1/2 of them had red throats & silvery heads. There were also 10+ PACIFIC LOONS in various plumages. And, one RED-NECKED GREBE in decent breeding plumage, but a bit too far off to see it clearly. Did not see any COMMON LOONS.
>
> When I got home I went to Birds of the World, to read about the loons. It says, "Rarely observed in most wintering areas during the summer, although juveniles remain at sea throughout the year." It also says that fall migration starts the earliest in mid-August. So does this mean that all of these loons actually wintered here and have just stayed put? Amazing to see so many together!
>
> Swainson's Thrushes singing all over! Also a lot of singing Wrentits & Purple Finches. American Goldfinches and Pine Siskins were abundant among all the other birds we saw.
>
> Happy birding!
> Denise & David Hamilton
> Napa
>
