Although the 100's of loons previously reported have vanished, it seems
the best one is still there, which I saw from the pier at the foot of
Simcoe Street while looking toward the bay to the east about 2:15 this
afternoon.
I had been asked my opinion by another birder (who then left), but was
uncertain for a long time, until the bird struck a more alert posture,
making the chin strap obvious. I then changed to a higher magnification
40x eyepiece. The bird seemed darker and smaller than adjacent loons and
sat lower in the water. The feathering to the front and rear of the eye
was quite dark, giving the impression of a black line through the eye,
since it was darker than the top of the head. The feathering at the base
of the bill on the lower half of the face has not turned entirely white
yet. The bill was dark, and as had been mentioned by the other birder
[sorry I don't know your name], both the body and the bill were
definitely smaller than the other loons.
Directions: Take Simcoe exit in Oshawa from the 401 and go south to
where it ends at the lake. Park in the parking lot. The pier can be seen
from there.
Dan Burton
Gravenhurst
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