Loons getting ready to head back north

shoppes on the bay · 03-01-2010, 12:25 PM

I've seen plenty of loons down here in Narragansett RI this winter and have had one hanging out behind the house for the past 4 weeks - must have found himself a good food source along with a few seals, eiders, mergansers and the ever present dump ducks - I am trying to get a good picture to post but with out a decent zoom i keep striking out. I've linked a short mpg with him in it but good luck seeing him! in any case I am sure he will be heading north maybe even to Winnipesaukee by the end of this month.

http://www.youtube.com/user/TheMakoH.../0/Kao-442GXuI

Newbiesaukee · 03-01-2010, 03:26 PM

I didn't see it on the video but just the idea that the loons will be heading back, means that I can start planning for that also. Can't wait.

Lucy Goose · 03-01-2010, 07:03 PM

Does anyone know what areas they gather at the most?

Thanks.

B

Pineedles · 03-01-2010, 08:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bj112757

Does anyone know what areas they gather at the most?

Thanks.

B

They are presently gathering at the Girl Scout Cookie thread.

shoppes on the bay · 03-01-2010, 09:56 PM

i believe you probably would find them along the NH and Maine coast also - anywhere where it dosnt freeze up, in 1996 we had the North Cape oil barge run aground here and a lot of loons died because of this spill part of the settlement monies went to restoration of loon habitatis in Maine and NH so maybe thats where our winter loons come from - they usually are gone end of march begining of april, though i did see one last year that hung around long enough so that he had his summer feathers before he screwed. i also dont see them hanging out together even if there are multiple birds in an area - they seem to keep to themselves. I am going to try to get a close up tomorrow, there is one bird that always hangs out at the end of the sea wall at narragansett pier close enough to get a decent pic.

jack1706 · 03-02-2010, 12:57 PM

Good one, pineedles !!

jmen24 · 03-02-2010, 01:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pineedles

They are presently gathering at the Girl Scout Cookie thread.

Hey, I have something to say about that.....But, I can't remember.....Guess that means I am one of them.

EllyPoinster · 03-02-2010, 02:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bj112757

Does anyone know what areas they gather at the most?

Thanks.

B

Funny you should ask - this article appeared recently in the Weirs Times

SteveA · 03-02-2010, 03:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pineedles

They are presently gathering at the Girl Scout Cookie thread.

Very Good!

twins · 03-24-2010, 07:00 PM

Congratulation on an early ice out. Of course, this guy seems content to stay in Florida for a while longer.

KBoater · 03-25-2010, 10:47 AM

I have seen loons in FL but was told that they come from the Carolinas.
Also I have been told that the Winnie loons go to New Jersey. Anyone know?

Newbiesaukee · 03-25-2010, 12:37 PM

I recall an article stating that the Winni loons do not travel very far..off the coast of Maine/NE.

SIKSUKR · 03-25-2010, 01:41 PM

Most of the Winni loons stay right here on the forum.

Newbiesaukee · 03-25-2010, 03:03 PM

Unlike the ones with feathers, our loons are certainly not mute in the winter.

Irrigation Guy · 03-25-2010, 04:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pineedles

They are presently gathering at the Girl Scout Cookie thread.

No kidding, that is tooo funny!

Eagle · 03-25-2010, 06:17 PM

The loons were back on Mirror Lake in Tuftonboro a week ago.

Jonas Pilot · 03-25-2010, 07:16 PM

What does an Eagle know about loons?

Irrigation Guy · 03-25-2010, 08:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jonas Pilot

What does an Eagle know about loons?

Taste like piping plover? errr thin mints?

Eagle · 03-26-2010, 08:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LocalRealtor

Taste like piping plover? errr thin mints?

Wrong. They taste like chicken.

Lucy Goose · 03-26-2010, 08:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EllyPoinster

Funny you should ask - this article appeared recently in the Weirs Times

New sort of to Winni and I am a photographer and love birds. Are there special places they congregate on the lake?

jack1706 · 03-26-2010, 09:10 AM

I had two loons in front of my house yesterday..In Winter Harbor.
It was so good to see them again.

Winter Harbor, wolfeboro side... allways have loons about.. try around the Libby Museum.

Eagle · 03-26-2010, 10:41 AM

Here you go:

Lakegeezer · 04-04-2010, 09:03 AM

Other than the report from Jack1706 in Winter Harbor, has anyone seen loons this year? Usually they are back in force right after ice out. It has been three weeks around here and no loons - not even one. Just the honking of Canadian Geese - which is unusual too. I'm sure they will show up any day now - but just wondering. Are they back in other parts of the lake?

jack1706 · 04-04-2010, 03:42 PM

Thinking that maybe by now everyone had seen all the loons that have arrived, (silly me) last Sunday there had to be a hundred of them in front of our house..they swam up thru Winter Harbor then back down towards the Libby Musuem and I didn't see them again..

I started to count over 60 & stopped as I just wanted to watch them...One was the leader and just lead them around.. it was such a sight.... so I guess they have made it to their final destinations!!

We so enjoy them....

PS.
around Thanksgiving they seem to gather in front of our house to leave also

Nagigator · 04-05-2010, 03:57 PM

Heard them calling all this weekend, and saw one near the Center Harbor/ Blackey Cove area on Sunday. It was so nice, we slept with the windows open, and it was a welcome sound.

tis · 04-05-2010, 06:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jack1706

Thinking that maybe by now everyone had seen all the loons that have arrived, (silly me) last Sunday there had to be a hundred of them in front of our house..they swam up thru Winter Harbor then back down towards the Libby Musuem and I didn't see them again..

I started to count over 60 & stopped as I just wanted to watch them...One was the leader and just lead them around.. it was such a sight.... so I guess they have made it to their final destinations!!

We so enjoy them....

PS.
around Thanksgiving they seem to gather in front of our house to leave also

Are you sure they were loons jack? I have never seen or heard of so many together like that on the lake!

fpartri497 · 04-05-2010, 08:05 PM

I pretty much cover all the lake during the summer and I never In My life have seen more than TWO loons together

Pepper · 04-05-2010, 09:06 PM

Methinks Jack may have his tongue planted firmly in his cheek.

jack1706 · 04-06-2010, 08:53 AM

oh, they were Loons !! I often see more than two together... during the summer it seems they pair up but.... right now they stay together...
even in the summer you can see more than two. In front of the Libby Museum I saw four together diving for food a few days later....
As I said , just before snow fall they gather & go wherever also....

jack1706 · 04-06-2010, 09:11 AM

I just read where they do gather & fly to migrate & return ..

check it out.
Not seeing things !!
( well, not this anyway !! )
this was the second year i've seen this.... next year I'm taking Pictures !

paddler · 04-06-2010, 09:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jack1706

I just read where they do gather & fly to migrate & return ..

check it out.
Not seeing things !!
( well, not this anyway !! )
this was the second year i've seen this.... next year I'm taking Pictures !

I believe you, Jack. I saw a group of 19 on Ossipee Lake last summer. I even have a few photos posted here

jack1706 · 04-06-2010, 09:37 AM

Hey great pictures !

Me hopes pepper sees them !!

tis · 04-06-2010, 09:59 AM

Oh, they absolutely do gather. That is just so many I have never heard of it. Not saying it isn't possible but incredible just the same.

Pepper · 04-06-2010, 11:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jack1706

Hey great pictures !

Me hopes pepper sees them !!

Loved the photos!

I have indeed heard that they gather up before heading out, but didn't realized that they arrive en masse as well (but it certainly does make sense). I can't wait to see your photos next year!

tis · 04-06-2010, 05:47 PM

Pepper, I must say I agree with you, I have always seen them gather in groups in the fall but in the spring one day I look out and there is one, or a pair, even three, but not a lot of them. Winter Harbor has had a single loon for many years and a pair for several years. In the spring, they are often together.

DRH · 04-07-2010, 08:42 PM

We heard our first loon call of this spring last night, and saw a loon this morning between Minge Cove and Treasure Island.

Greene's Basin Girl · 04-11-2010, 12:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DRH

We heard our first loon call of this spring last night, and saw a loon this morning between Minge Cove and Treasure Island.

We have a loon back in Green's Basin!

ApS · 04-11-2010, 04:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tis

Oh, they absolutely do gather. That is just so many I have never heard of it. Not saying it isn't possible but incredible just the same.

The most number I've seen gathered is 17 and a Minnesota link accounts for a "huge raft" of 34. These are Goose-sized birds, and their calls will carry quite far.

Compare the calls of probably fewer than a dozen Loons in this "Loon-Chorus" recording (and not all of them will vocalize), one hundred Loons calling in the narrows of Libby Museum would probably rate a visit by Wolfeboro Police!

Lakegeezer · 04-11-2010, 01:27 PM

A bit late, but we have loons again. I always thought they came as soon as the ice was out, but this year, they were three weeks afterwards. Loony!

Merrymeeting · 04-11-2010, 06:10 PM

I heard one early this morning on Merrymeeting

03-01-2010, 12:25 PM	#1
shoppes on the bay Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: alton bay Posts: 49 Thanks: 4 Thanked 6 Times in 3 Posts	Loons getting ready to head back north I've seen plenty of loons down here in Narragansett RI this winter and have had one hanging out behind the house for the past 4 weeks - must have found himself a good food source along with a few seals, eiders, mergansers and the ever present dump ducks - I am trying to get a good picture to post but with out a decent zoom i keep striking out. I've linked a short mpg with him in it but good luck seeing him! in any case I am sure he will be heading north maybe even to Winnipesaukee by the end of this month. http://www.youtube.com/user/TheMakoH.../0/Kao-442GXuI

03-01-2010, 07:03 PM	#3
Lucy Goose Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 228 Thanks: 29 Thanked 108 Times in 29 Posts	Speaking of loons Does anyone know what areas they gather at the most? Thanks. B

03-01-2010, 09:56 PM	#5
shoppes on the bay Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: alton bay Posts: 49 Thanks: 4 Thanked 6 Times in 3 Posts	loon migrations i believe you probably would find them along the NH and Maine coast also - anywhere where it dosnt freeze up, in 1996 we had the North Cape oil barge run aground here and a lot of loons died because of this spill part of the settlement monies went to restoration of loon habitatis in Maine and NH so maybe thats where our winter loons come from - they usually are gone end of march begining of april, though i did see one last year that hung around long enough so that he had his summer feathers before he screwed. i also dont see them hanging out together even if there are multiple birds in an area - they seem to keep to themselves. I am going to try to get a close up tomorrow, there is one bird that always hangs out at the end of the sea wall at narragansett pier close enough to get a decent pic.

03-24-2010, 07:00 PM	#10
twins Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Gem Island/St Petersburg FL Posts: 33 Thanks: 1 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Winter Loons Congratulation on an early ice out. Of course, this guy seems content to stay in Florida for a while longer. Attached Images

03-25-2010, 10:47 AM	#11
KBoater Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Wolfeboro Posts: 521 Thanks: 10 Thanked 29 Times in 15 Posts	Florida Loons??? I have seen loons in FL but was told that they come from the Carolinas. Also I have been told that the Winnie loons go to New Jersey. Anyone know? __________________ Home Permanently in NH

03-01-2010, 03:26 PM	#2
Newbiesaukee Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Coral Gables, winter; Long Island, summer Posts: 1,349 Thanks: 922 Thanked 569 Times in 295 Posts	I didn't see it on the video but just the idea that the loons will be heading back, means that I can start planning for that also. Can't wait.

The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to Pineedles For This Useful Post:
Argie's Wife (04-04-2010), Meredith lady (04-08-2010)

03-02-2010, 12:57 PM	#6
jack1706 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Ft.Laud.,Fl & Winter Harbor Posts: 150 Thanks: 40 Thanked 19 Times in 17 Posts	Good one, pineedles !!

The Following User Says Thank You to EllyPoinster For This Useful Post:
Lucy Goose (03-26-2010)

03-25-2010, 12:37 PM	#12
Newbiesaukee Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Coral Gables, winter; Long Island, summer Posts: 1,349 Thanks: 922 Thanked 569 Times in 295 Posts	I recall an article stating that the Winni loons do not travel very far..off the coast of Maine/NE.

03-25-2010, 01:41 PM	#13
SIKSUKR Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 5,075 Thanks: 215 Thanked 903 Times in 509 Posts	Sikloon Most of the Winni loons stay right here on the forum. __________________ SIKSUKR

03-25-2010, 03:03 PM	#14
Newbiesaukee Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Coral Gables, winter; Long Island, summer Posts: 1,349 Thanks: 922 Thanked 569 Times in 295 Posts	Unlike the ones with feathers, our loons are certainly not mute in the winter.

03-25-2010, 06:17 PM	#16
Eagle Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Tuftonboro Posts: 48 Thanks: 24 Thanked 6 Times in 5 Posts	The loons were back on Mirror Lake in Tuftonboro a week ago.

03-25-2010, 07:16 PM	#17
Jonas Pilot Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Wolfeboro, New Hampshire is my home, 24-7-365 Posts: 1,686 Thanks: 1,047 Thanked 336 Times in 189 Posts	What does an Eagle know about loons?

03-26-2010, 09:10 AM	#21
jack1706 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Ft.Laud.,Fl & Winter Harbor Posts: 150 Thanks: 40 Thanked 19 Times in 17 Posts	I had two loons in front of my house yesterday..In Winter Harbor. It was so good to see them again. Winter Harbor, wolfeboro side... allways have loons about.. try around the Libby Museum.

03-26-2010, 10:41 AM	#22
Eagle Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Tuftonboro Posts: 48 Thanks: 24 Thanked 6 Times in 5 Posts	Here you go:

The Following User Says Thank You to Eagle For This Useful Post:
jack1706 (03-26-2010)

04-04-2010, 09:03 AM	#23
Lakegeezer Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Moultonboro, NH Posts: 1,657 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 342 Thanked 618 Times in 278 Posts	Where are the loons Other than the report from Jack1706 in Winter Harbor, has anyone seen loons this year? Usually they are back in force right after ice out. It has been three weeks around here and no loons - not even one. Just the honking of Canadian Geese - which is unusual too. I'm sure they will show up any day now - but just wondering. Are they back in other parts of the lake? __________________ -lg

04-04-2010, 03:42 PM	#24
jack1706 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Ft.Laud.,Fl & Winter Harbor Posts: 150 Thanks: 40 Thanked 19 Times in 17 Posts	Thinking that maybe by now everyone had seen all the loons that have arrived, (silly me) last Sunday there had to be a hundred of them in front of our house..they swam up thru Winter Harbor then back down towards the Libby Musuem and I didn't see them again.. I started to count over 60 & stopped as I just wanted to watch them...One was the leader and just lead them around.. it was such a sight.... so I guess they have made it to their final destinations!! We so enjoy them.... PS. around Thanksgiving they seem to gather in front of our house to leave also

04-05-2010, 03:57 PM	#25
Nagigator Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Central Ma. Posts: 290 Thanks: 268 Thanked 55 Times in 39 Posts	they're back...... Heard them calling all this weekend, and saw one near the Center Harbor/ Blackey Cove area on Sunday. It was so nice, we slept with the windows open, and it was a welcome sound.

04-05-2010, 08:05 PM	#27
fpartri497 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Concord NH Posts: 681 Thanks: 97 Thanked 48 Times in 39 Posts	Loons I pretty much cover all the lake during the summer and I never In My life have seen more than TWO loons together __________________ dont worry be happy

04-05-2010, 09:06 PM	#28
Pepper Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Laconia, NH Posts: 1,284 Thanks: 409 Thanked 155 Times in 40 Posts	those "other" loons ... Methinks Jack may have his tongue planted firmly in his cheek. __________________ Never waste time lamenting what was. Simply celebrate what is!

04-06-2010, 08:53 AM	#29
jack1706 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Ft.Laud.,Fl & Winter Harbor Posts: 150 Thanks: 40 Thanked 19 Times in 17 Posts	oh, they were Loons !! I often see more than two together... during the summer it seems they pair up but.... right now they stay together... even in the summer you can see more than two. In front of the Libby Museum I saw four together diving for food a few days later.... As I said , just before snow fall they gather & go wherever also....

04-06-2010, 09:11 AM	#30
jack1706 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Ft.Laud.,Fl & Winter Harbor Posts: 150 Thanks: 40 Thanked 19 Times in 17 Posts	I just read where they do gather & fly to migrate & return .. check it out. Not seeing things !! ( well, not this anyway !! ) this was the second year i've seen this.... next year I'm taking Pictures !

The Following User Says Thank You to paddler For This Useful Post:
jack1706 (04-06-2010)

04-06-2010, 09:37 AM	#32
jack1706 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Ft.Laud.,Fl & Winter Harbor Posts: 150 Thanks: 40 Thanked 19 Times in 17 Posts	Hey great pictures ! Me hopes pepper sees them !!

04-06-2010, 09:59 AM	#33
tis Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 6,405 Thanks: 719 Thanked 1,379 Times in 955 Posts	Oh, they absolutely do gather. That is just so many I have never heard of it. Not saying it isn't possible but incredible just the same.

04-06-2010, 05:47 PM	#35
tis Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 6,405 Thanks: 719 Thanked 1,379 Times in 955 Posts	Pepper, I must say I agree with you, I have always seen them gather in groups in the fall but in the spring one day I look out and there is one, or a pair, even three, but not a lot of them. Winter Harbor has had a single loon for many years and a pair for several years. In the spring, they are often together.

04-07-2010, 08:42 PM	#36
DRH Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Meredith Posts: 1,670 Thanks: 1,181 Thanked 655 Times in 173 Posts	Back in West Alton We heard our first loon call of this spring last night, and saw a loon this morning between Minge Cove and Treasure Island. __________________ DRH

04-11-2010, 01:27 PM	#39
Lakegeezer Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Moultonboro, NH Posts: 1,657 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 342 Thanked 618 Times in 278 Posts	The loons are back A bit late, but we have loons again. I always thought they came as soon as the ice was out, but this year, they were three weeks afterwards. Loony! __________________ -lg

04-11-2010, 06:10 PM	#40
Merrymeeting Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Merrymeeting Lake, New Durham Posts: 2,217 Thanks: 299 Thanked 795 Times in 365 Posts	I heard one early this morning on Merrymeeting