Live Loon Cam

[pam.in.ny]

I know this isn't Winnie but don't know of a loon cam around the lake and some of us members love loons.
This cam is in MN by MN Bound and I see that it went live today. Here is the link to the live cam for anyone interested.
MnBound Video Link (http://www.wildearth.tv/minnesota-bound-loon-nest-webcam-live-01) and here is the link of a short video that I recorded a short time ago of the loons on the nest.
Nest video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9aGi3R5PJu8)

<iframe title="YouTube video player" width="480" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/9aGi3R5PJu8" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[pam.in.ny]

The female should be laying her first egg any day. She has been frequenting the nest more, doing some "nestorations", and making the nest bowl just to her liking. When she's on the nest, the male is close by where a day or so he wasn't in view. Yesterday, they pair were busy defending their nest from a swan and a few geese who were eyeing it. Needless to say, the loons stood their ground.
<iframe width="480" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/kcD0kmJ1xd4" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[pam.in.ny]

Last year, this female laid the first egg on May 5th. Today, both male and female spent a good amount of time at the nest getting it just right. This video clip has dad-to-be doing the nestoration while the mom-to-be looks on. Once dad leaves, she checks out his work. Everyone is hoping tomorrow the 5th is the big day. There were several false alarms today. :(
<iframe width="480" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/zx1XOIuCKYc" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[pam.in.ny]

We have our first egg. :)
<iframe width="480" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/zqik9xASf6Q" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[Rattlesnake Gal]

Having the cam on the nest is quite interesting. You really get to see how difficult being on land is for the loons. They are so front heavy, walking is impossible.

Looking forward to seeing the chick! :D

[pam.in.ny]

I always knew they were front heavy but never knew how much so until last year from watching the cam. I see why they are in the water 99% of the time. They wouldn't stand a chance against a predator if they were on land. Now we need that second egg and hopefully in about 30 days, if the eggs are viable and survive, we'll have chicks. That's going to be exciting. :)

[pam.in.ny]

Just returned from grocery shopping and see that we now have two eggs. If someone shares a video, I'll post it if you like. Hopefully in about a month, we'll see two loon chicks. :)

[pam.in.ny]

A good look at the 2 eggs while mom and dad are doing some protection duty nearby.
<iframe width="480" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/_fBs1gt1KB4" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[RLW]

pam.in.ny thanks for posting as everytime I checked the site they are sitting and I never did see and wondered if there was a second egg.
http://i39.tinypic.com/o9n9f8.gif and http://i54.tinypic.com/2e56yqf.gif

[pam.in.ny]

RLW,

Yes, she laid the second egg, Saturday morning. This time it was quick and easy, unlike like the first one. Here's the video.
<iframe width="425" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/NK8aM_XRkHQ" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[pam.in.ny]

For those interested: I just got an email saying the Pacific Loon Cam in Anchorage, AK is now live.
http://watch.birds.cornell.edu/nestcams/camera/view?cameraID=C100254

The eggs on the MNBnd nest should be hatching around the 1st of June. Mom and dad have been busy incubating them faithfully.

[RLW]

http://i39.tinypic.com/o9n9f8.gif Pam. Been checking the MN nest, but kinda boring right now with them just sitting on the eggs and listening to the water slap up against the stand making one want to go pee. http://i43.tinypic.com/53pooj.gif

[pam.in.ny]

RLW, yes, incubation time can be boring. Don't know how mom and dad do it but they have a good view. :) It won't be long now and if both eggs are viable, we will be seeing them start to pip and hatch. Then before you know it, they'll be in the water and gone from the nest. To keep the boredom at bay, I've been watching the Sidney, BC eagle nest. One of the chicks has it's foot tangled in fishing line and they are going to attempt a rescue, hopefully today or soon.. It all depends on the ground drying out.

Still no signs of loons on the BRI nest and no loons yet on the Pacific Loon cam. Last year, the Pacific Loon cam was great but helaas, one chick didn't make it back to the nest after it's first time in the water. Read earlier, the other chick didn't survive either. I am sure in Alaska, the survival rate is much lower than it is here in the lower 48. We'll just have to keep our fingers crossed and make sure we don't drink too much fluids while listening to the water lapping against the nest.

[pam.in.ny]

The Pacific Loons in Anchorage have found the nesting raft.
Cam Link (http://watch.birds.cornell.edu/nestcams/camera/view?cameraID=C100254)
<iframe width="425" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/5l_c-HlPMnQ" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[pam.in.ny]

Tornado sirens have been going off a few times this evening. So far, mom hasn't moved from the nest. Here is mom weathering the storm while keeping those eggs warm and dry. If the rain turns to hail and the weather gets too bad, she'll desert the nest, leaving the eggs unprotected, and head for the protection of a dock or other shelter.
<iframe width="425" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/wihLnJdjBVc" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[pam.in.ny]

We have a loon chick. One egg down, one more to go. Egg hatched, today, sometime around noon CDT. Second egg, if viable, should hatch in a day or so.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2196/5783367208_d4dce4e8d4.jpg

[pam.in.ny]

Your awwwwwww moment of the day. :) A family moment. It sure doesn't take long for the chick to venture out from under mom's wing.

<iframe width="425" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/0uKSB3BuRY4" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[pam.in.ny]

Welcome to the world, chick #2.

<iframe width="425" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/uxPifOOQr4Q" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[pam.in.ny]

This video shows chick #2 alone on the nest and you can hear its little chirps. Mom soon returns with chick #1. All is well at the nest. Must be nap time. In a few hours, when chick #2 is strong enough to swim and get into the water, it'll be the last time we see the loons on the nest. Hope the chicks survive the summer to migrate south this fall.


<iframe width="425" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/qU44Kuve24A" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[pam.in.ny]

Dad on the nest with chick #2 calling out to mom who has chick #1. Off into the sunset they swim away to begin their long life. Until next spring, Godspeed.

<iframe width="425" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Aw6tyYSAgUE" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[Greene's Basin Girl]

Thanks for sharing. The two adult loons and the chick's lake send off was wonderful. I hope the chick survives. NOW ALL YOU TURTLES----STAY AWAY!!!!

[SIKSUKR]

Damn, that's like watching a chick flick tear jerker. Thanks, really made my morning.

[Greene's Basin Girl]

Very very funny!!!!

[pam.in.ny]

SIKSUKR: That was funny.:D

[pam.in.ny]

OK, last video!. Recorded this morning and both chicks survived the night on the lake. Here, they are just surveying the nest zone, chicks are hitchhiking a ride from mom while dad fishes for and feeds them breakfast. Now how is that for room service. Breakfast in bed. :D Until their bones become non-porous and they can dive underwater, they'll be riding on mom and dad's back to keep safe, usually 2-3 weeks.

<iframe width="425" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/SMhNl93wr-A" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[pam.in.ny]

The Pacific Loon pair in Anchorage now have a new chick, hatched just after 8:30 this morning. :) Live Cam (http://watch.birds.cornell.edu/nestcams/camera/view?cameraID=C100254)
<iframe width="425" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/0APrVxfW5ZI" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>