July 15, 2018 - Double Nesting Success

Both of our loon pairs have now hatched a single chick, and both sets of parents are attentive to the needs of their little one; there is lots of noise out on the lake as they fend off various threats from approaching loons to approaching boats. 

Shooing away "Solo" perhaps?   Photo by Amy Wilson.

But when they are left alone they are quiet and diligent in their fishing endeavors, finding tasty little morsels for the chicks - sometimes fish, sometimes insects or tiny crayfish.  The second chick, from the nest in Harris Cove, has been named "Justintime" by first-observer Ron Naso, and was photographed by Debby Crowley on the same day it first appeared.

Justintime, one day old, is invited onto a parent's back.   Photo by Debby Crowley.

After hatching Justin', one parent went back on the nest to tend to a second egg while the other returned to guard duty, but after another day went by, the loons had abandoned the nest and there was no second chick.  A later inspection found a second, intact egg still in the nest.  An earlier inspection of the Bryant Island nest after that family left also revealed a second egg, but this one was in the lake, several feet from shore.

Retrieved egg from the Bryant Island nest on its way to the freezer and eventual dissection and analysis.

Did the loons push it into the water after they decided it wasn't viable?  Both eggs were retrieved and frozen, and will be studied by the LPC, so more information may be forthcoming. 

Loon Preservation Committee biologist Henry Stevens saw bands on one of the parents from the Bryant Island nest, so I believe that Sam is the offspring of our long-term resident female.  As Sam grows, the family's world is expanding.

Mom and dad are now introducing Sam to more of the lake.

Sam's parents took an evening fishing expedition by our house on Friday, giving us a chance to observe them fishing, and teaching hungry little Sam how it's done. 

"You watch Sam while I show him how to fish"

"Look down deep in the clear water"

"Do you see one?"

"Go get it dad!"

"Get him, get him!"

"Nice job!"

Delivering the goods

"You're the best, dad."

Note that LPC biologist Henry Stevens will be the featured speaker at the Lake Wicwas Association Annual Meeting, which will take place in the Wicwas Grange on Saturday, August 4th at 9:30 am.  Harry is monitoring Lake Wicwas this year so he will have lots of interesting information to share about our loons and their behavior - all are welcome to attend.  (Plus, there is always great food and coffee!)  Hope to see you there!