July 6, 2018 - Introducing Sam

(I'm posting early this week so people on the lake will know to be on the lookout for a new loon chick.)

Our first loon chick hatched on Independence Day, 2018!

Introducing Sam.  Photo by Amy Wilson

This, the nest on Bryant Island, produced only one chick;  an upcoming inspection of the nest by a Loon Preservation Committee biologist may determine if there was a second egg.  Russ Brummer first spotted the little chick and was given naming rights, and Amy Wilson was there to record the moment.  After much consideration, he named the chick "Sam".  Russ explained that it could be Samuel or Samantha, we will never know, but at any rate, it's Sam, and it can even be "Uncle Sam" considering the day of its arrival!

Closely guarded by its protective parents.  Photo by Amy Wilson

There are many threats that the parents will have to defend against for the next several months, including eagles, snapping turtles, large fish, and even other loons.  It does have the benefit of hiding under a parent's wing or riding on a parent's back for its first couple of weeks, but it's a pretty tiny and vulnerable target at this point.

Photo by Amy Wilson

And if the parents feel threatened by something they know they can't repel - a boat for example - they will dive, leaving the chick completely exposed to any attack, so it's important to give them lots of space. 

Within hours of hatching the parents were already having to fight off a lone loon that was approaching their territory - a successful defense, but only the first of many.  It will be a challenging and exhausting time for the new family.

The likely rogue, back in its cove restoring its strength for a future assault

One predator they will keep an eye on but probably won't be a threat is the osprey, as they consume almost exclusively fish.  The osprey's talons and diving technique are perfected for plunging into the water, feet first, to grab fish up to several feet below the surface.  On the same morning the loon hatched I saw an osprey observing the proceedings from a perch high on one of the islands.

At one point I thought it was rising up to take flight.

But it turned out it had other business to take care of.

An expulsion of processed fish

Over the next hour it took several sorties around the lake, including one where I was close enough to see it in action as it circled, swooped down, talons ready for the catch, but then must have lost its target, as it arced back up and circled off empty handed.

On the approach

Talons down and armed

Abort, abort!

Off to find another target

The white head of an osprey can look like a bald eagle, but the white body, lack of a white tail and the smaller size are key distinguishing features.

You won't have any trouble distinguishing a Great Blue Heron from just about anything.  Its slow wing flap, crooked neck, and long legs poking straight out behind are pretty distinctive.

A heron fly-over on the the Fourth of July

There are lots of birds around the lake at the moment, and likely more loon chicks to hatch this weekend, so please be aware if you are on the water on any of New Hampshire's lakes.

Photo by Amy Wilson