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Loon (diver) in Sea of Galilee? (1 Viewer)

slesgold

Member
Several days ago I was in Tiberias and thought I saw a loon (diver) in the Sea of Galilee (Yom Kinneret). I didn't get a good enough look to be certain, but it definitely was diving like a loon. Is it possible that it was a loon? If so, what kind?
 
Any diver/loon would be VERY unusual in that location, whereas Great Cormorant is not uncommon, they winter in the region and pass through in good numbers on their northward migration, not necessarily following the coast either.

Richard
 
There are 19 records for the Black Throated Diver in the region, 2 of those, Sea of Galilee. #also Red Throated#

Funny enough, the records just happen to have been seen from the same area as you did.

Now, a question as to how 'your' bird dived into the water from the surface. Did it 'up end' (the rear leaving the waters surface to follow the head in an arc, or did it appear to 'slip' under the water with barely a ripple?
 
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We frequently see loons (common loon) where I live in Wisconsin and it dove the same way, i.e., head down first, tail up then following the head and rest of body.
 
Also, I've seen cormorants pretty often, especially in Florida. Although, I've not noticed them diving while swimming, I've seen many anhingas dive while swimming, which is similar and this bird didn't dive like that.
 
Sorry for dismissing the Diver possibility a bit too quickly, I've checked the Israel Rare birds site israbirdcenter.org,and there were two Black-throated Divers reported last winter, one in October on the Med coast, and one in December at Eilat!
So, maybe you're 'gut feeling' was right!!!

Richard
 
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