At the small parkette on Grays Rd in Hamilton, was not able to definitively locate a Pacific loon in a brief lake watch this afternoon. One loon passed through and raised some hopes, but spent so little time above water it was impossible to be certain. It was certainly thin-billed with very light grey head and neck. It may have been a red-throated loon which was seen later. All three scoter species were represented with large flocks moving about actively. One brilliant adult male Black Scoter observed amongst a large group of females. Only a few white-winged scoters mixed in with large flocks of Surf Scoters. Up to 5 horned grebes in winter plumage worked the shoreline. An unidentified jaeger was seen chasing a gull. It was suspected to be a Pomarine based on size and behaviour, but positive ID was not possible given the distance. Winds were highly variable with strong east gusts at times, perhaps we may get some of Ottawa's birds! Directions c/o Cheryl's post: Take QEW Niagara to Centennial Parkway. North on Centennial pkwy toward the lake to North Service Road. Right (east) on the service road to Drake Blvd.. Turn north on Drake Road and follow it to the end at Lakegate. Turn left on Lakegate, there is parking on the street just before Grays Road. Look out from the small parkette at the end of Grays. Happy Birding, Peeter Musta _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to birdalert@ontbirds.ca For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/
