The loons, the loons: Webcam shows an incubating nest in Minnesota
The film “On Golden Pond” introduced common loons to the general public in 1981. Even their voice, particularly the yodel, became a widely recognized bird sound. Until then, we suspect few nonbiologists and nonbirders knew what loons were. They nest on isolated lakes across Canada and the northern tier of states so relatively few people ever encountered them.
For the last week, however, we’ve been watching a loon nest every day. The female laid the first egg May 5, followed by a second egg May 7. With an average incubation period of 28 days, we expect the eggs to hatch on June 4 or 5.
Until then, we are content to watch as the parents share incubation. Every few hours the adult slides off the nest into the water to feed. A few minutes later, an adult returns, hops awkwardly onto land, and settles back onto the eggs. Because the sexes are identical, it’s impossible to know which parent takes over the nest.
For hours each day, the incubating parent patiently warms the eggs and watches the world go by. But if a muskrat, a goose, or even a gosling approaches, the parent becomes alert and defensive.
The nest I’m watching is on a small manmade island built specifically to attract nesting loons. Island nests are much safer from predators than those on the mainland. This island is about six feet square and filled with soil, mulch, and a few plants. It’s anchored so the wind doesn’t blow it to shore.
I know it’s anchored because the camera trained on the nest doesn’t move. That’s how I’m watching a loon nest in central Minnesota from my office in West Virginia. Every day I log on to the webcam. Larry Backlund has been hosting loon nests on his little island for 10 years, and he now provides images, sounds and even a daily blog of the current nest’s progress.
Loons are large, handsome birds. They weigh up to nine pounds, and their wings span nearly 4 feet. A patch of fine vertical black and white stripes marks the black head and neck, and the back is a black and white checkerboard. The bill is large, black, and pointed.
Loons are excellent swimmers because their legs are located far to the rear end of the body. Their webbed feet propel their underwater movements. On land, they walk/hop awkwardly, almost in penguin fashion. More wildlife webcam : HERE