This morning, November 3rd, Richard Pope, Jim Fairchild and I had good looks at the Pacific Loon off Oshawa Second Marsh found by Dave Worthington yesterday. It was about 250m offshore in calm water and for over half an hour from about 9-9.30am it loafed on the surface, mostly by itself, but with Common Loons passing by allowing close comparison. Later it started actively diving and feeding and became more difficult to pick out from the other loons. The smaller size, the smaller, straight bill, the grayer, rounded head and the sharp demarcation between the white and dark of the neck were all noted, but we did not get a good view of a chinstrap although at times we thought we could see one. The lake was very busy, with many Red-breasted Mergansers, gulls, and all three scoters as well as about 200 loons.
Directions: Take the Harmony Rd. exit off the 401 in Oshawa, Exit 419, and go south on Farewell St. to turn left on Colonel Sam Drive. Drive east to the first GM headquarters parking lot and take the Cool Hollow trail down to the lake. The bird was viewed from the beach, slightly east of where the Cool Hollow Trail gets to the shore. Margaret Bain Cobourg [EMAIL PROTECTED] _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to ONTBIRDS mailing list [email protected] For instructions to join or leave ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdssetup.php ONTBIRDS Guidelines may be viewed at http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdsguide.php
