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Old 07-07-2005, 03:38 PM   #1
Grant
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Default Loon Count

It'll be interesting to see the results of this year's loon count.

Just this week, I saw 10 (ten) loons loitering in front of our place. And they obviously were hanging together often, as their calls echoed around the area all night for several nights. I watched them travel together the other morning for a good mile over the course of an hour -- heading toward some sheltered islands before the boat traffic picked up. Never had we seen so many together in one gathering. Impressive!
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Old 07-07-2005, 08:18 PM   #2
Just Sold
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Talking Loony Loons

Last Tuesday I was in Fish Cove with some friends, waiting out the heavy rain, and there was quite a display with 2 loons sparing. A rogue loon was trying to move in on another loons territory and they were "walking on water" and chasing each other all over the cove. If you remember the Road Runner that is what it looked like. Eventually the rogue was chased out of the cove to the beginning of the no wake zone. It was really something to see.
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Old 07-08-2005, 04:12 PM   #3
Wolfeboro Matt
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Default Loon habits

Here's an odd question... I've only ever heard or seen a loon up at the lake. The other night, lying in bed, I would have sworn I heard a loon call. Thing is, the only bodies of water near me (northeastern Mass) are the ponds at the golf course adjacent to my property. I've never heard a loon call at my current home in the 6 years I've been here. (For that matter, I've never heard a loon call in Mass ever.)

So you loon specialists - was I mistaken, or could a loon have been "just visiting"?

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Old 07-08-2005, 08:36 PM   #4
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Talking Could be

It's possible. Loons used to frequent Massachusetts in Henry David Thoreau's time, where they were shot for sport. In the times I've frequented Massachusetts, I've never heard loons, either.

Landings are a cinch, but because they require nearly 200 yards to make their takeoff -- and are unable to walk like "regular" birds -- loons will seldom land in a pond that is smaller than 200 yards.

Sometimes, they will mistake an icy road for a pond, then can't take off or walk towards water.

One of their four vocalizations can be mistaken for a seagull's. That could be what you hear, but I can't recall nighttime vocalizations by seagulls.

In my part of Winnipesaukee, youthful visitors will try to sound like loons upon their arrival Friday nights. Maybe they're from a northeastern golf course community in Massachusetts?

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Old 07-11-2005, 09:16 AM   #5
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Default Cow Island Loons

Unfortunately, the loons that have been nesting in the little lagoon next to my cottage weren't successfull this year. They built their nest, but didn't lay an egg, or a predator got it. We have had chicks for the past three years so this is disappointing. I have seen some juvenile loons around, and think maybe there was a battle for territory.
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