Loon Watch

 

 

   

 

Two Sisters Lake is very fortunate to have two loon pairs nesting on the artificial nest platforms in Tamarack and Eagle Bays.  Please keep your distance from the loons while on the water. They are especially confused by the motor sounds of jet skis and have been injured and killed on other lakes. Also, lead poisoning is a leading cause of loon death so please, please get the lead out of your tackle box and replace your old fishing lines!

 

Check Joanne's report from the newsletter or at the annual meting for the latest updates on the loons on our lake!

 

 

 

 

 

The majority of loons will initiate migratory flights in early to mid-April and travel swiftly a steady 60-75 mph for up to 12 hours per day. They fly only during the day, using landscape cues to track direction. A migrating loon is a solidary traveler and make the northward journey independent of their mates. As they reach their breeding lakes, experienced male loons arrive on their territories first. These seasoned loons know their journey and these waters. They have already successfully held territories here and raised young. Their early arrival gives them the advantage to feed and regain energy before they need to reclaim a mate and defend a territory. The experienced females arrive second by several days and then the less experienced, including first time breeders, arrive sometimes as much as four to six weeks later.

While loons have a strong reputation for returning to the same lake each year, scientific studies of banded loons have shown this is not always true. On average, eight of ten adult loons return to the same lake, but move to new lakes after losing their territory to a rival. Rarely, do adult loons venture to lakes more than two to three miles from their former territories. For loons, fidelity lies with their territory, not with their mate and this attachment by both male and female drives regular pairing for the same individuals from year to year. It is rare for the same pair to remain together for more than seven years. The primary goal for loon pairs during the spring is to acquire and maintain a territory. Territorial loons regularly face challengers – intruders searching for a breeding territory and testing territory holders. It is common for loons to chase one another underwater and wing-rowing across lakes during the springtime duels. The cycle of migration, selection of mates, procurement of territories and the challenge of interlopers server as a prelude to the demands of nesting and chick-rearing ahead.