Date: 2/1/26 3:46 pm From: Diann Stone via groups.io <dstoneak2id...> Subject: Re: [IBLE] White loon at CJ Strike Reservoir in Owyhee County
Wow! Such an unusual sight to see!
Diann Stone Boise
On Sun, Feb 1, 2026, 9:49 AM R L ROWLAND RONALD ROWLAND via groups.io
<rlrowland...> wrote:
> Hey all, RL here.
>
> Saw the reported white loon yesterday afternoon. First had in my scope
> from the Black Sands eBird Hotspot. Went around to the Cove Rec. Site to
> get better views.
>
> The bird was with two other COLO's and all were ...the same size. Had in
> scope and during the time I was there, the bird did not rise out of the
> water, but, was actively preening its back over its right shoulder, no wing
> stretching, lifting a leg to scratch or any other out of water movement. So
> did not see any thing I could say was a sign of being banded. May try again
> later this day.
>
> My take is that this bird is leucistic, not albino. Had a dark eye and
> the bill was a normal COLO coloration.
>
> CGB. RL
>
> On Sun, 1 Feb, 2026 at 7:49 AM, Kent Kleman via groups.io <Kentkleman=
> <msn.com...> wrote:
>
> To: <ible...>
> On January 30 I posted on the Idaho Rare Birds Facebook page about an
> all-white loon at Cove Recreation Site on CJ Strike. I have been contacted
> by biologists who banded a young white loon last year. They asked if I saw
> any leg bands in the event it lifted a leg out of the water to stretch or
> scratch its face. I didn’t see any bands.
>
> If anyone goes out to see it, look for leg bands and note the color of
> them as well as the leg they were on. Also, try to compare the size of it
> relative to the other loons in the area.
>
> Very interesting bird for sure.
>
> Kent
>
> [image: image0.jpeg][image: image1.jpeg]
>
>
>
