PACIFIC DIVER Gavia pacifica -
1st winter - 3rd February 2007 - Farnham Gravel Pits, Knaresborough North Yorkshire.

This bird, originally identified as a Black-throated Diver, was re-identified as a Pacific Diver a week or so
later and news was released on Monday 29th January 2007. This is a first for Britain & the Western Palearctic of this North American race of Black-throated Diver. It is now considered to be a separate species and the UK now awaits with baited breath for the split to become official.

It is much smaller than Black-throated Diver and appeared to be not much bigger than Great Crested Grebe. A slim and elegant looking diver, with a small and slim looking bill. Complete lack of any white “Flank Patch”, as in Black-throated Diver. A rounded head and lack of any bulbous forehead and appeared to have a “puffed-out” appearance to the neck and rear of head. The upper-parts were intricately vermiculated pale buff and the markings contrasted strikingly with the darker colour of the back and mantle. The head and neck appeared to be a warm, soft pale grey-brown, with a noticeable “throat strap”. Unfortunately I did not manage to see the diagnostic “vent strap”. Less white on the cheeks and throat than Black-throated Diver. Seemed shorter in the neck than Black-throated Diver and generally a small and elegant bird altogether.

The bird showed all the features as detailed in the article in Birding World - Vol 8 No: 12.

I found it very difficult to Digiscope but did manage a couple of half decent shots.