The call of the loon
Sweet sound of summer on the pond
Few sounds convey unadulterated wildness like a loons’ voice, floating over the water. Their trilling calls are a highlight of the summer soundscape on our lakes and ponds.
Common loons are spring and summertime residents on these inland freshwater bodies. They spend the winter in coastal areas, and move inland in the spring for the breeding season. Males generally arrive first, to establish their territories, and the females return several weeks later.
They construct their nests in the spring, building their nests right at the water’s edge – sometimes even on low mounds in shallow areas. Because their legs are positioned towards the back of their bodies, loons are much more agile in the water than they are on land. Having quick access to the water allows for the fastest escape from predators. However, having a nest so close to the water does make them vulnerable to swamping from boat wakes.
The young typically hatch in early July. They need plenty of time to mature before ice-in so they will be able to migrate to coastal waters for the winter. Life for a young loon is perilous, and they risk being eaten by eagles, snapping turtles, fox and mink. The adults are very protective and will defend their young fiercely.
Loons do not mate for life, though they may stay with the same mate for many years. Sometimes pair bonds are broken when a new loon moves into a territory and challenges the resident male. A pair will often use the same nesting site, but may also move to a new location if needed.
If you see groups of loons this time of year on a pond or lake, you may be seeing unmated loons or juveniles, since they don’t typically establish a territory or take a mate until they are six or seven years old. Loons are quite long-lived and may live 20 or even 30 years!
The loon population in Maine is currently fairly stable at about 4,300 adults. However, they do face some threats from human activities, such as poisoning from swallowing lead tackle, entanglement in fishing line, and having their nests swamped by boat wakes.
What can you do to help loons?
- Give loons wide berth, especially nesting loons and loons with chicks
- Obey the no-wake law within 200 feet of shore (this also helps to reduce shoreline erosion)
- Use lead-free tackle. Good alternatives are made of steel, tin, and bismuth
- Dispose of discarded fishing line to prevent loons from becoming entangled
- If you live on or near a lake or pond, use only phosphorus-free fertilizer, and plant shrubs as a buffer along the shoreline to reduce run-off and protect water quality
Photos: Loon on nest by Gary Irwin. Loon and chick courtesy of Fyn Kind via Flickr.
