Loons getting ready to head back north
 

I've seen plenty of loons down here in Narragansett RI this winter and have had one hanging out behind the house for the past 4 weeks - must have found himself a good food source along with a few seals, eiders, mergansers and the ever present dump ducks - I am trying to get a good picture to post but with out a decent zoom i keep striking out. I've linked a short mpg with him in it but good luck seeing him! in any case I am sure he will be heading north maybe even to Winnipesaukee by the end of this month.

http://www.youtube.com/user/TheMakoH.../0/Kao-442GXuI

I didn't see it on the video but just the idea that the loons will be heading back, means that I can start planning for that also. Can't wait.

Speaking of loons
 

Does anyone know what areas they gather at the most?

Thanks.

B

They are presently gathering at the Girl Scout Cookie thread.:laugh:

loon migrations
 

i believe you probably would find them along the NH and Maine coast also - anywhere where it dosnt freeze up, in 1996 we had the North Cape oil barge run aground here and a lot of loons died because of this spill part of the settlement monies went to restoration of loon habitatis in Maine and NH so maybe thats where our winter loons come from - they usually are gone end of march begining of april, though i did see one last year that hung around long enough so that he had his summer feathers before he screwed. i also dont see them hanging out together even if there are multiple birds in an area - they seem to keep to themselves. I am going to try to get a close up tomorrow, there is one bird that always hangs out at the end of the sea wall at narragansett pier close enough to get a decent pic.

Good one, pineedles !!

Hey, I have something to say about that.....But, I can't remember.....Guess that means I am one of them.:D:D:look::D

Funny you should ask - this article appeared recently in the Weirs Times

Very Good! :laugh::laugh:

Winter Loons
 

Congratulation on an early ice out. Of course, this guy seems content to stay in Florida for a while longer.

Florida Loons???
 

I have seen loons in FL but was told that they come from the Carolinas.
Also I have been told that the Winnie loons go to New Jersey. Anyone know?:confused:

I recall an article stating that the Winni loons do not travel very far..off the coast of Maine/NE.

Sikloon
 

Most of the Winni loons stay right here on the forum.:laugh:

Unlike the ones with feathers, our loons are certainly not mute in the winter.:):)

No kidding, that is tooo funny! :D

The loons were back on Mirror Lake in Tuftonboro a week ago.:)

What does an Eagle know about loons?

Taste like piping plover? errr thin mints? :eek:

Wrong. They taste like chicken.http://www.websmileys.com/sm/crazy/071.gif

Where on the lake do they usually congregate
 

New sort of to Winni and I am a photographer and love birds. Are there special places they congregate on the lake? :look::look:

I had two loons in front of my house yesterday..In Winter Harbor.
It was so good to see them again.

Winter Harbor, wolfeboro side... allways have loons about.. try around the Libby Museum.

Here you go:

http://i582.photobucket.com/albums/s...g?t=1269617944

Where are the loons
 

Other than the report from Jack1706 in Winter Harbor, has anyone seen loons this year? Usually they are back in force right after ice out. It has been three weeks around here and no loons - not even one. Just the honking of Canadian Geese - which is unusual too. I'm sure they will show up any day now - but just wondering. Are they back in other parts of the lake?

Thinking that maybe by now everyone had seen all the loons that have arrived, (silly me) last Sunday there had to be a hundred of them in front of our house..they swam up thru Winter Harbor then back down towards the Libby Musuem and I didn't see them again..

I started to count over 60 & stopped as I just wanted to watch them...One was the leader and just lead them around.. it was such a sight.... so I guess they have made it to their final destinations!!

We so enjoy them....

PS.
around Thanksgiving they seem to gather in front of our house to leave also

they're back......
 

Heard them calling all this weekend, and saw one near the Center Harbor/ Blackey Cove area on Sunday. It was so nice, we slept with the windows open, and it was a welcome sound.

Are you sure they were loons jack? I have never seen or heard of so many together like that on the lake!

Loons
 

I pretty much cover all the lake during the summer and I never In My life have seen more than TWO loons together

:D

those "other" loons ...
 

Methinks Jack may have his tongue planted firmly in his cheek. ;)

oh, they were Loons !! I often see more than two together... during the summer it seems they pair up but.... right now they stay together...
even in the summer you can see more than two. In front of the Libby Museum I saw four together diving for food a few days later....
As I said , just before snow fall they gather & go wherever also....

I just read where they do gather & fly to migrate & return ..

check it out.
Not seeing things !!
( well, not this anyway !! )
this was the second year i've seen this.... next year I'm taking Pictures !

I believe you, Jack. I saw a group of 19 on Ossipee Lake last summer. I even have a few photos posted here

Hey great pictures !

Me hopes pepper sees them !!

Oh, they absolutely do gather. That is just so many I have never heard of it. Not saying it isn't possible but incredible just the same.

She saw them
 

Loved the photos! :D I have indeed heard that they gather up before heading out, but didn't realized that they arrive en masse as well (but it certainly does make sense). I can't wait to see your photos next year!

Pepper, I must say I agree with you, I have always seen them gather in groups in the fall but in the spring one day I look out and there is one, or a pair, even three, but not a lot of them. Winter Harbor has had a single loon for many years and a pair for several years. In the spring, they are often together.

Back in West Alton
 

We heard our first loon call of this spring last night, and saw a loon this morning between Minge Cove and Treasure Island.

We have a loon back in Green's Basin!

Well, Tuftonboro Police, then...
 

The most number I've seen gathered is 17 and a Minnesota link accounts for a "huge raft" of 34. These are Goose-sized birds, and their calls will carry quite far.

Compare the calls of probably fewer than a dozen Loons in this "Loon-Chorus" recording (and not all of them will vocalize), one hundred Loons calling in the narrows of Libby Museum would probably rate a visit by Wolfeboro Police! :eek:

The loons are back
 

A bit late, but we have loons again. I always thought they came as soon as the ice was out, but this year, they were three weeks afterwards. Loony!

I heard one early this morning on Merrymeeting