Loon chicks

[SAMIAM]

All this talk about high water and nesting had me worried........and then,this morning....along comes mom and dad fishing for two little fuzzballs right in front of my dock.Seems a little late this year but it sure made our day.:)

[Airwaves]

When we were up for Bike Week we noticed a Momma Loon and 4 chicks swimming around off our beach.

[Pepper]

... it sure made our day.:)

I'll bet! How wonderful. :D :D :D

Thanks for sharing the good news with all of us who've been worried. ;)

[upnorth]

I too saw a loon family last weekend. First time ever for me. Way cool.

I've attached a picture for fun (not mine -- photo from the web and taken by Ken Watson)

[Lakegeezer]

This isn't the clearest shot, but we saw two chicks on the back of a loon on July 2'nd. It was great to watch them. One chick fell off, paddled around a bit, then climbed back on.

[KPW]

When we were up for Bike Week we noticed a Momma Loon and 4 chicks swimming around off our beach.

I could be wrong, but it is highly unlikely that the birds you saw were loons. They usually only hatch 2 chicks tops and they usually do not hatch until right around the 4th of July. They may have been mergansers.

[Airwaves]

Perhaps, but they were wearing loon suits :laugh: Looked just like the fuzzy pic above. I was 30 feet away watching through field glasses.

[Hermit Cover]

The Loon Preservation Society estimates that loon pairs on the big lake average between .41 and .67 chicks per loving couple. It is generally accepted that Momma Loon will lay two eggs at a time. It would be a very proud POP to see his mate swimming with a gaggle of four. But then this is the Big Lake!

[SAMIAM]

To KPW.....not to be rude....but I was born in the lakes region.Lived on the lake all of my life.I'm now receiving unsolicited mail from the AARP....just to let you know how old I am.I think I know what a loon looks like.:laugh:

[Airwaves]

SAMIAM
I think he was talking about my post, not yours

[KPW]

SAMIAM
I think he was talking about my post, not yours

I was referring to AIRWAVES post - My brother's island abutts the Markus (sp) wildlife refuge. Each year the nest placed about 200 yards off his island, produces 1 - 2 chicks. They hatch within a few days of the 4th of July. I have never seen anything different, but as I stated in my original post, I could be wrong.
The following is a quote from the Loon Preservation Committee's website:
"Usually one or two eggs are laid in June, and towards the end of the month, loon chicks covered in brown-black down appear on the water"

[Lakegeezer]

This isn't the clearest shot, but we saw two chicks on the back of a loon on July 2'nd. It was great to watch them. One chick fell off, paddled around a bit, then climbed back on. One loon chick survived. The attached photo shows the adult fishing for the chick, and provides some evidence that loons are not concerned about people being close by.

[Pepper]

Wow, LG! Waaaaaaay cool photo! :D I'll bet those two young ladies enjoyed that "close encounter"!

Sad that only one chick survived, but on the other hand it's great that one did! ;)

Thanks for the update, and for sharing the photo!

[Merrymeeting]

Merrymeeting had 3 chicks this year, the most we've ever had. All survived and are doing very well. It's nice to see them coming back so strong.