I didn't see what I thought I saw, did I? a LOON

[Tired of Waiting]

A Loon!! Today, diving in icy water?????

And was wondering what the earliest spotting has been up at the lake?

The story:

On my way to work today I had to stop and a one lane bridge under repair in my home town of Southampton MA. Western part of state.

The bridge crosses the Manhan river, (more like a brook). At that point there is a pond made by a dam. The channel was sort of open with floating ice and slush. I saw what I though was a duck. It dived and came bake up. I was only 30 yards away from it. And to my utter surprise :eek: it was a Loon. :D This is the earliest Loon spotting I have ever had.

As I watch I wished I had my camera with me. I still can’t believe it but there it was.

I hope it doesn’t get caught in a freeze up. Maybe it’ll head back south if it gets really cold out.

ToW

[Zee]

Loons reside here all winter long. They are quite common along the coast and in tidal rivers (or any body of water that is not frozen). They do not have the distinctive feather patterns this time of year and many people do not realize they are seeing loons. Go to the seacoast with a good set of binoculars and you will be amazed at what is out there.

[mcdude]

We often see them in the winter months (or when they are migrating?) in Mattpoisett, MA. Their white feathers disappear and they are very dark in color. More about Loon Migration (http://www.adkscience.org/loons/migration.htm) I've also been up at the cottage during ice-out in April (It'll be April 24th is year for sure at 7:30 a.m. :) ) and a flock (or is it a herd?) of loons have shown up only a few days later. How do they know the open water has arrived? Here's a shot I took on 4-26-03 noting that the ice had only gone out the day before.
http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopost/data/509/20Img_1318-med.jpg

[upthesaukee]

" ...a flock (or is it a herd?) of loons have shown up... " In the case of your photo, McDude, it was a flock of one, but a very intelligent one...

"How do they know the open water has arrived?" Why, they log onto Winnipesaukee.com and get the latest ice out report. http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/3/3_8_11v.gif (http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb001_ZSXXXXXX42US)

[Newbiesaukee]

They are also said to be mute in their winter plumage. My family has suggested that the loons may be setting a good example for me.

[Pepper]

They are also said to be mute in their winter plumage. My family has suggested that the loons may be setting a good example for me.

LOL! Thanks for that laugh! :laugh:

[ApS]

A Loon!! Today, diving in icy water????? The bridge crosses the Manhan river, (more like a brook). At that point there is a pond made by a dam. The channel was sort of open with floating ice and slush. I saw what I though was a duck. It dived and came bake up. I was only 30 yards away from it. And to my utter surprise :eek: it was a Loon. :D This is the earliest Loon spotting I have ever had. I still can’t believe it but there it was. I hope it doesn’t get caught in a freeze up. Maybe it’ll head back south if it gets really cold out. ToWWell, I hope it doesn't get caught in a freeze up either.

Loons can't leave a pond, river, or lake without a looooong stretch of water in order to take off -- I'm talking ¼-mile stretches. http://fool.exler.ru/sm/fly.gif

This could be one of those instances where an injured or lazy loon has gotten stuck in water with the ice closing in on him. It doesn't seem likely that he could be successfully feeding all this time in that area, though.

A cormorant requires much less water to take off (~50-feet), and are duck-sized, rather than goose-sized, like a loon is.

Trouble is, a cormorant doesn't belong there either.

I'm so confused :confused: .

[Tired of Waiting]

Now I don't feel so bad. :( :D

The loon has plenty to eat in that area. The pond/stream system is full of fish. Rainbow trout, stocked by F&G, and tons of pan fish. So food is not an issue. The only issue I felt there was, was if the water froze up again. But Loon-ie(cause it's here and not where it's warm) Loon made it this far so I guess Loon-ie will make it alright. :)

ToW