Counting the Loons

webmaster · 09-01-2014, 06:43 PM

LIforrelaxin · 09-02-2014, 10:40 AM

There seem to be lots of newborns to count this year... My family have observed them over by 19 mile, down towards Braun Bay, and also between long island and Moultonborough Neck.

VitaBene · 09-04-2014, 09:32 AM

There were 5 last night in Moultonborough Bay fishing around sunset.

tis · 09-04-2014, 09:54 AM

I hope they are not starting to gather already!!

Greene's Basin Girl · 09-04-2014, 12:10 PM

At a loon meeting a couple of weeks ago the director, Harry S Vogal, said they were starting to gather then. I have seen groups gathering for several weeks.

tis · 09-04-2014, 07:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Greene's Basin Girl

At a loon meeting a couple of weeks ago the director, Harry S Vogal, said they were starting to gather then. I have seen groups gathering for several weeks.

Oh no! Can it be true????

chasedawg · 09-04-2014, 08:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tis

Oh no! Can it be true????

Yes.......already.....the season has gone soo fast. Beautiful weather..enjoy it while it is here. The Loons are starting to think about taking flight to the ocean for the Winter. Enjoy the best time of the year.

tis · 09-05-2014, 06:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chasedawg

Yes.......already.....the season has gone soo fast. Beautiful weather..enjoy it while it is here. The Loons are starting to think about taking flight to the ocean for the Winter. Enjoy the best time of the year.

It has gone too fast! We have had extrememely warm weather these last few days -for Sept. We went by your place yesterday, you were out by your boat but didn't see us.

chasedawg · 09-05-2014, 08:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tis

It has gone too fast! We have had extrememely warm weather these last few days -for Sept. We went by your place yesterday, you were out by your boat but didn't see us.

But we did see you today. What a wonderful day it was. I took the sailboat out tonight and the moon, the loons, the gentle breeze were heavenly. I felt I was back in the BVI's. It can't get better than this.

SteveA · 09-06-2014, 06:11 AM

I do a lot of photography on Saltmarsh Pond, there is a single loon on the pond and has been there for about a week.

I took some pics, but not worth posting, it was in the middle of the pond. I spoke with the Loon Preservation biologist for Winnipesaukee. He told me it wasn't unusual for the males during the "collection" time to move around from body of water to body of water looking for a group to hook up with for the trip to the ocean.

First time I ever saw a loon on Saltmarsh.

tis · 09-06-2014, 06:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chasedawg

But we did see you today. What a wonderful day it was. I took the sailboat out tonight and the moon, the loons, the gentle breeze were heavenly. I felt I was back in the BVI's. It can't get better than this.

You are right, it can't get better. I wish it wasn't going to end with storms today. I know you saw us yesterday, we saw you wave, but did you see us the day before??

chasedawg · 09-06-2014, 08:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tis

You are right, it can't get better. I wish it wasn't going to end with storms today. I know you saw us yesterday, we saw you wave, but did you see us the day before??

No sorry we didn't see you the day before. Next time come on in or swing by. We just launched our restored and new to us Cape Dory. I was working on it when you cruised by. We waved and we saw you wave. Maybe we can sail down to visit or take our very fast Bennington.

Sorry folks we will take this conversation off line.

tis · 09-07-2014, 07:11 AM

I saw your Cape Dory and thought it was new! Very pretty! Yes please, cruise down one way or the other. I won't say any more here.

ApS · 09-07-2014, 06:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tis

I saw your Cape Dory and thought it was new! Very pretty! Yes please, cruise down one way or the other. I won't say any more here.

Interesting that there are three Cape Dory sailboats in Winter Harbor alone! (One with a Westerbeke).

We haven't seen as many Loons (or any other birds) this season. But while sailing yesterday morning, one gave the Loon's "warning call"—followed by a second Loon with the exact-same call. I looked up, expecting to see a Bald Eagle, but they were all stressed-out about a Cessna 180!

(The call is a yodeled "Ow"—as in "ouch"—a'OOO).

.

tis · 09-08-2014, 06:40 AM

The loons do not like planes at all. They screech every time one goes over. They are not used to it anymore since the airport closed. (probably not the same loons anyway.)

Ondawada · 09-08-2014, 09:06 AM

Saw a Loon flying for the first time the other day at Lee's Mills. Been wanting to see one actually take off. I clearly saw the white bottom side as it passed over, but wasn't 100% that it was a Loon until I heard the tremolo over and over. Ironically, it did a loop over toward the Loon center and then headed back out over the lake.

salty dog · 09-08-2014, 10:53 AM

My daughter, her fiance and I were circling Braun Bay yesterday when I spotted 3 birds off the starboard bow. I slowed to headway speed and we slowly passed them to starboard. Sarah and Brian hadn't seen Loons before so it was nice to be able to see them up close. We passed within 25 feet; they didn't fly away or sound and as we went by one of them called. Just a nice "nature's moment" in a great day on the lake.

ApS · 09-11-2014, 09:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ondawada

Saw a Loon flying for the first time the other day at Lee's Mills. Been wanting to see one actually take off. I clearly saw the white bottom side as it passed over, but wasn't 100% that it was a Loon until I heard the tremolo over and over. Ironically, it did a loop over toward the Loon center and then headed back out over the lake.

The tremolo is often heard when that Loon is in flight; sometimes, they'll circle a portion of a lake more than once. They seem to be trying to encourage other Loons to take off to join them.

I've seen Loons taking off and landing—but landing is more dramatic by far. With their feet far back on their bodies (like a penguin's), they can't "ski" to a landing like ducks and other aquatic birds. Loon landings are sometimes graceful, but most are "a crash". Sometimes, I've seen Loons land in a splashing, rolling, heap, with feet, wings, tail and beak seen at intervals and at various angles.

While there are many photos and videos of Loons taking off, I haven't seen a good video of a landing. But finally yesterday, two Loons decided to land in the middle of Winter Harbor, and I started my video camera to capture this very rare event.

To my eye, one Loon appeared to generate a tremendous splash; unfortunately, the "splashdown" occurred directly into the sun. With some hope, I checked the video and took a snapshot of the exact moment of the event.

Maybe next time?

aquabones · 09-12-2014, 05:32 AM

Found this video of a graceful landing:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J0b1Wl3I4-8

09-01-2014, 06:43 PM	#1
webmaster Moderator Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 2,453 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 456 Thanked 3,819 Times in 839 Posts	Counting the Loons Post by Winnipesaukee.com.

09-02-2014, 10:40 AM	#2
LIforrelaxin Senior Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Texas, Lake Ray Hubbard and NH, Long Island Winnipesaukee Posts: 2,871 Thanks: 1,037 Thanked 892 Times in 524 Posts	There seem to be lots of newborns to count this year... My family have observed them over by 19 mile, down towards Braun Bay, and also between long island and Moultonborough Neck. __________________ Life is about how much time you can spend relaxing... I do it on an island that isn't really an island.....

09-04-2014, 09:32 AM	#3
VitaBene Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Moultonborough Posts: 3,576 Thanks: 1,611 Thanked 1,632 Times in 839 Posts	5 Mboro Bay There were 5 last night in Moultonborough Bay fishing around sunset.

09-06-2014, 06:11 AM	#10
SteveA Deceased Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Gilford, NH Posts: 2,311 Thanks: 1,070 Thanked 2,054 Times in 497 Posts	Loon on Saltmarsh Pond I do a lot of photography on Saltmarsh Pond, there is a single loon on the pond and has been there for about a week. I took some pics, but not worth posting, it was in the middle of the pond. I spoke with the Loon Preservation biologist for Winnipesaukee. He told me it wasn't unusual for the males during the "collection" time to move around from body of water to body of water looking for a group to hook up with for the trip to the ocean. First time I ever saw a loon on Saltmarsh. __________________ "Before you criticize someone, walk a mile in his shoes. That way, if he gets angry he'll be a mile away and barefoot!" unknown

09-08-2014, 10:53 AM	#17
salty dog Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Beverly Cove, Ma Posts: 359 Thanks: 288 Thanked 148 Times in 82 Posts	close pass My daughter, her fiance and I were circling Braun Bay yesterday when I spotted 3 birds off the starboard bow. I slowed to headway speed and we slowly passed them to starboard. Sarah and Brian hadn't seen Loons before so it was nice to be able to see them up close. We passed within 25 feet; they didn't fly away or sound and as we went by one of them called. Just a nice "nature's moment" in a great day on the lake. __________________ I'd rather be relax'n at Winnipesaukee

The Following 8 Users Say Thank You to webmaster For This Useful Post:
Airedale1 (09-04-2014), chasedawg (09-01-2014), Just Sold (09-05-2014), Lakegeezer (09-01-2014), LIforrelaxin (09-02-2014), pjard (09-01-2014), RLW (09-01-2014), trfour (09-02-2014)

09-04-2014, 09:54 AM	#4
tis Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 6,709 Thanks: 751 Thanked 1,455 Times in 1,012 Posts	I hope they are not starting to gather already!!

09-04-2014, 12:10 PM	#5
Greene's Basin Girl Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Moultonborough, NH Posts: 1,515 Thanks: 394 Thanked 527 Times in 269 Posts	At a loon meeting a couple of weeks ago the director, Harry S Vogal, said they were starting to gather then. I have seen groups gathering for several weeks.

The Following User Says Thank You to chasedawg For This Useful Post:
KPW (09-04-2014)

09-07-2014, 07:11 AM	#13
tis Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 6,709 Thanks: 751 Thanked 1,455 Times in 1,012 Posts	I saw your Cape Dory and thought it was new! Very pretty! Yes please, cruise down one way or the other. I won't say any more here.

09-08-2014, 06:40 AM	#15
tis Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 6,709 Thanks: 751 Thanked 1,455 Times in 1,012 Posts	The loons do not like planes at all. They screech every time one goes over. They are not used to it anymore since the airport closed. (probably not the same loons anyway.)

09-08-2014, 09:06 AM	#16
Ondawada Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Posts: 8 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Saw a Loon flying for the first time the other day at Lee's Mills. Been wanting to see one actually take off. I clearly saw the white bottom side as it passed over, but wasn't 100% that it was a Loon until I heard the tremolo over and over. Ironically, it did a loop over toward the Loon center and then headed back out over the lake.

The Following User Says Thank You to ApS For This Useful Post:
aquabones (09-12-2014)

09-12-2014, 05:32 AM	#19
aquabones Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Posts: 70 Thanks: 44 Thanked 16 Times in 5 Posts	Found this video of a graceful landing: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J0b1Wl3I4-8

The Following 4 Users Say Thank You to aquabones For This Useful Post:
ApS (09-12-2014), Greene's Basin Girl (09-14-2014), Just Sold (09-12-2014), KPW (09-13-2014)