On Sunday, May 16, 2004, at approx. 10:00 a.m., a Pacific Loon in alternate plumage was seen briefly by Grant Snyder and myself from the inlet of Wingfield Basin. The bird was initially scoped at about 200 m from shore, but it dove and re-appear much further out. After seeing it dive a second time, we were not able to relocate it again among at least a dozen Common Loons, many Long-tails, and White-winged Scoters present in the area.
In the 20 seconds or so that we were able to see it, we noted that the striking grey of the nape contrasting sharply with the much darker back. A black throat and black-and-white striped patch on the neck were also well seen, as conditions were calm and clear. The bird's bill was noticeably shorter and finer than a Common Loon, but held horizontally. In over all size it appeared much larger than some nearby Long-tails, though not as large as a Common Loon. A smoothly rounded head-and-neck shape was also noticed. A single Red-necked Grebe and Surf Scoter were also seen out from the lighthouse and at the end of the cottages, respectively. Wingfield Basin is about 10 km north of the cottages of Dyer Bay, at the northeastern tip of the Bruce Peninsula. A foot path leads north from the lighthouse to a point opposite the Bruce Peninsula Bird Observatory banding station. Virgil Martin Waterloo, ON
