I birded several spots this morning, October 30th. The highlights were a juvenile Red-throated Loon at Sandy Point on Pigeon Lake, and a Red-bellied Woodpecker on nearby Elm Lodge Rd. The loon was 250-400m NNW of the north end of Sandy Point Rd at the turnaround and boat launch. The lake was calm and the viewing conditions were good. The bird was preening when first spotted at around 12:10 PM, but then began to dive regularly, moving gradually to the ENE to a distance of about 400m. There were a couple of Common Loons in the general vicinity. After leaving the loon, I turned E on to Elm Lodge Rd and almost immediately noticed a largish woodpecker flying SE across the cattle pasture on the N side of the rd. The bird flew to the line of mature Red Oaks along the fencerow on the N side of the road and as I arrived at the spot were it had landed it could be heard calling. It is a male. To reach these sites, take Peterborough Rd 16 (either N from Ennismore or S from Buckhorn) to Elm Lodge Rd., continue W on Elm Lodge Rd to its junction with Sand Point Rd. The woodpecker was roughly 100m E of this junction. For the loon, turn right (N) and drive 400m to the end of Sandy Point Rd. An American Coot was on the Otonabee River just N of Lock 23 and there were 3 Eastern Bluebirds at the Lakefield Sewage Lagoon. Also at Lakefield SL: 115 Lesser Scaup, 82 Bufflehead, 53 Common Goldeneye, 4 Ring-necked Duck and 3 Greater Scaup.
Location: Pigeon Lake and Lakefield areas
Observer: Don Sutherland
