Date: 04/14/2021

Number: 2

The two loons were calling throughout the early pre-dawn morning, so I went to the lakeshore at daybreak and could see them at about 200 m distance. They are too far away to specify their markings for species identification. Based on Wikipedia, these could be Pacific or Common loons that winter along the Pacific coast, and likely are at this latitude for a rest and feeding. They do not stay in this lake, which becomes busy with powerboats during May-Sept, so the loons are usually gone by early May, presumably headed to northern BC or the Arctic.

My location is an inland lake and N-S flyway through a valley about 400 km from the Pacific coast. Loons are in this lake (recognized by their calls) in April while heading north, and in Sept-Oct during the southward migration.

I have experience observing common loons closely in Ontario, and hearing their calls on isolated lakes within a few m of my canoe. The sound of these BC loons is different - less forceful, less frequent - than the Ontario common loons.

Osoyoos, BC

Latitude: 49 Longitude: -119.5

Observed by: Dr Paul
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