Birders, I did a scope scan of Kempenfelt Bay from Minet's Point Park in Barrie at lunch time today.
In amongst hundreds of Common Loons (I estimated ~650) out on the bay was one (and possibly two, but never saw two at once) *adult Pacific Loon*, I'm assuming this is the same bird reported by Burke Korol last week. The loons were way out near the middle of the bay and with the east wind it made for a little difficult viewing. Scope is a must - I had mine at 40-50 power while viewing. The bird really stands out because the crown and hindneck are such a light grey it's almost white, but offset with black in the face and foreneck and black on the wings with white splotches on the upper back. The bird(s) was almost straight north from the beach at Minet's, i.e., straight across the bay. Viewing MIGHT be better from the north shore where you can stand out of the wind today. Also here are over 200 Common Terns (30 on the beach and many more out on the water and flying around) - this is the latest I recall seeing this species on Lake Simcoe in such high numbers. Good birding, Frank Pinilla Richmond HIll, ON (work in Barrie) DIRECTIONS: Minet's Point Park - exit Hwy 400 at Essa Road in Barrie, go north on Essa about 1.5km, turn right (east) on Tiffin St and at the next lights continue through where this becomes Lakeshore Drive, follow for 1.6km and turn left on Minet's Point Road, this winds it's way down and to the right until you see the entrance to the park. Scan the bay from the beach here. _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO) - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to birdalert@ontbirds.ca For information about ONTBIRDS including how to unsubscribe visit http://www.ofo.ca/site/page/view/information.ontbirdssetup Posting guidelines can be found at http://www.ofo.ca/site/page/view/information.ontbirdsguide Visit the OFO Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/OntarioFieldOrnithologists
