A September day watching the loons
There is never a more symbolic or beloved bird of the clear, crisp northern lake country than the Common Loon. They are incredibly complex birds - a waterfowl species so different for all others. They are unable to walk on land, have solid versus hollow bones for diving and land on the water by skimming along on their bellies to slow down. Loons are also known for needing a long runway on the water to take off - anywhere from 30 yards to a quarter mile depending on the wind. And most importantly they need unpolluted lakes with clear water in which to fish and undisturbed shoreline in which to nest.
On a warm September day in northern Minnesota last week, I enjoyed watching this adult loon bring food to its one juvenile multiple times throughout the day. It won’t be long before the adult flies off leaving the juvenile to migrate on its own.
According to the All About Birds website:
Like many young birds, juvenile loons are really on their own after mom and dad leave at about 12 weeks. The parents head off on migration in the fall, leaving juveniles to gather into flocks on northern lakes and make their own journey south a few weeks later. Once the juveniles reach coastal waters on the ocean, they stay there for the next two years. In the third year, young loons return north, although they may not breed for several more years (on average they are six years old when they start breeding).
Seeing the results of a successful nesting season is satisfying. Providing areas for loons to nest is becoming critical with increasing shoreline disturbance on northern lakes. From the above website:
The male selects the nest site. Loons nest in quiet, protected, hidden spots of lakeshore, typically in the lee of islands or in a sheltered back bay. Loons can’t walk well on land, so nests are built close to a bank, often with a steep dropoff that allows the bird to approach the nest from underwater. They also use artificial nesting platforms, which people have offered as alternative habitat on lakes with extensive shoreline development. Many times a nesting pair of loons will reuse the same site the following year, refurbishing their old nest instead of building a new one.
Our summer bird will be leaving us soon. Next spring, we will be excited to hear their calls when they return - beckoning us all to get out and enjoy our lakes. Knowing just a bit of how incredible these loons are will make us realize - just how lucky we are to share in their world!