June 6, 2021: Loon Nesting Begins

June could be called flower appreciation month because of the magnificent diversity of wildflowers that can be found as we make the subtle transition from late spring to early summer.  In deep, cool forests with a full canopy as well as up at higher elevations, spring bloomers such as bluebead lily, trillium, lady's slippers, and fringed polygala are still hanging on.

Fringed Polygala

Bluebead Lily

In less shrouded areas that receive more sunlight, larger, more conspicuous blossoms such as lupine, lilac, and columbine are now adding their intense colors of red, violet, and blue to the forest palette.

Columbine along the Mt. Roberts Trail in the Ossipee Mountains.

Lupine in a sunny spot.

And in intermediate areas - forested but with sunlight penetrating for part of the day - low-lying mid-summer flowers such as bunchberry and bluets are starting to perform.

Now on to the big stuff - as in big birds.  We've had regular sightings of eagles around the lake, both mature and immature (much to the distress of the loons) including this immature eagle that glared down on me one morning as I paddled around Bryant Island on Lake Wicwas.  

"I've got my eye on you."

But the eagles haven't stopped the loons from doing their thing.  On that same morning paddle I saw five loons including one group of three that were not pleased with each other.

The distrusting loon-dance.

A bunch of agitated birds.

The big hump on their head indicates stress, and these three circled each other round and round, none willing to take their eye off the others in fear of an attack from one of those 4" long sharp pointy beaks.  It's possible that one of the three was half of a mating pair, making sure the others stayed away from its nest, because later that day I got word of loon on a nest.

One pair of loons has gotten down to business.

Felix Puetsch discovered it.  He reported seeing loons that didn't dive or swim away as he was kayaking, but rather went ashore which is of course, unusual.  That's when he saw the nest with two eggs in it.  He commented on how close it was to the edge of the water, correctly noting that loons don't like to be on land because their legs are so far back on their body that they can barely walk.  

The nest is in a good location to be shielded from boat wakes which is important since a boat's wake can easily wash over a loon nest right on the edge of the lake.  But the nest is also very exposed, so signs have been placed near the nest to alert nearby boaters.  I'll leave it as an exercise for the reader to find the nest - just please stay well beyond the signs and move away quickly, especially if either loon shows signs of stress: the loon on the nest putting its head down low to hide, or the loon on the lake calling or making a display of itself.  If the loon leaves the nest for even a few minutes the eggs can become unviable, particularly if the weather is sunny or warm, as the eggs can overheat quickly.

If you'd like to learn more about how to enjoy the lakes without disturbing wildlife you may be interested in a webinar that NH Lakes is offering called "Enjoying Lakes while Protecting Wildlife".  More information can be found here.

It's not clear if this is the only nesting pair on the lake or not.  Two loons had been building a nest in another location on Wicwas but we don't know yet whether it's the same pair and they just changed their mind or whether it's a different pair.

A nicely built, then abandoned loon nest.

Maybe it's just a decoy!  If we get a look at a leg band we may be able to figure it out.

At any rate, nesting season has begun, and both we and the eagles will be watching eagerly to see what transpires.