loon on my dock today

boathousegirl · 12-30-2006, 12:42 PM

Hi everyone,
Im hoping someone can help me out. I have a loon who looks like she's sitting on a nest at the edge of my dock. There are two or three chicks(?) swimming around in front of the dock. I must admit to being a city kid and know very little about the habits of loons. I've called the loon preservation in Moultonborough, but they're closed. Aren't loons gone by now? If this is abnormal, is there anything I can do??

Lake Lady 6 · 12-30-2006, 12:57 PM

There are often a few loons who hang around until quite late but suspect you may have a Merganser. However, it is unlikely there are "chicks" this late in the season for any waterfowl.
Google the Merganser to find a picture which may help you identify what type of visitor you have and let us know. In the meantime enjoy.

gtxrider · 12-30-2006, 12:58 PM

Loons never go out of season. Not sure about the featherd type though.

Quilt Lady · 12-30-2006, 01:00 PM

The loons are still hanging around. Our resident loon floated by this morning with a friend. Take a closer look and see if what you are looking at is really a loon and not a male Merganser. The loons have turned to their winter colors of gray, not the black and white of summer. The "chicks" would be the same size as the adult loons at this time of year. You might be seeing ducks of some variety . . . Mergansers (males are black and white) or Hooded Mergansers (smaller but the male has a black and white head). If they are ducks, don't worry, they know what they are doing. They may just be looking for a place to feed and rest during the snow.

boathousegirl · 12-30-2006, 01:13 PM

You're all too smart. I did google merganser, and I'm quite sure it's a male merganser. He's quite big and seems to be digging snow. Thank you so much. I'll stop worrying about it.

upthesaukee · 12-30-2006, 01:20 PM

FYI, loons don't go all that far away...usually only over to the coast for more open water. It's amazing to see how much water a loon needs to get airborne, and that can be a concern in winter here on the big lake and the smaller lakes as well if the ice forms too quickly...not enough open water for them to take flight from.

SteveA · 12-30-2006, 10:36 PM

BHG... Can you take and post a pic ?

12-30-2006, 12:42 PM	#1
boathousegirl Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Boston and Winnisquam Posts: 44 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	loon on my dock today Hi everyone, Im hoping someone can help me out. I have a loon who looks like she's sitting on a nest at the edge of my dock. There are two or three chicks(?) swimming around in front of the dock. I must admit to being a city kid and know very little about the habits of loons. I've called the loon preservation in Moultonborough, but they're closed. Aren't loons gone by now? If this is abnormal, is there anything I can do??

12-30-2006, 12:58 PM	#3
gtxrider Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Piscataway, NJ Posts: 1,030 Thanks: 2 Thanked 46 Times in 24 Posts	Loons Loons never go out of season. Not sure about the featherd type though.

12-30-2006, 01:00 PM	#4
Quilt Lady Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: West Alton, NH Posts: 169 Thanks: 0 Thanked 25 Times in 11 Posts	Look closely . . . The loons are still hanging around. Our resident loon floated by this morning with a friend. Take a closer look and see if what you are looking at is really a loon and not a male Merganser. The loons have turned to their winter colors of gray, not the black and white of summer. The "chicks" would be the same size as the adult loons at this time of year. You might be seeing ducks of some variety . . . Mergansers (males are black and white) or Hooded Mergansers (smaller but the male has a black and white head). If they are ducks, don't worry, they know what they are doing. They may just be looking for a place to feed and rest during the snow. __________________ QL (Doing my best to encourage Global Warming ... one quilt at a time!)

12-30-2006, 01:20 PM	#6
upthesaukee Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Alton Bay Posts: 5,604 Blog Entries: 2 Thanks: 2,469 Thanked 1,983 Times in 1,083 Posts	FYI, loons don't go all that far away...usually only over to the coast for more open water. It's amazing to see how much water a loon needs to get airborne, and that can be a concern in winter here on the big lake and the smaller lakes as well if the ice forms too quickly...not enough open water for them to take flight from. __________________ I Live Here... I am always UPTHESAUKEE !!!!

12-30-2006, 10:36 PM	#7
SteveA Deceased Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Gilford, NH Posts: 2,311 Thanks: 1,070 Thanked 2,054 Times in 497 Posts	Any chance you can take a pic? BHG... Can you take and post a pic ? __________________ "Before you criticize someone, walk a mile in his shoes. That way, if he gets angry he'll be a mile away and barefoot!" unknown

12-30-2006, 12:57 PM	#2
Lake Lady 6 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 102 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	There are often a few loons who hang around until quite late but suspect you may have a Merganser. However, it is unlikely there are "chicks" this late in the season for any waterfowl. Google the Merganser to find a picture which may help you identify what type of visitor you have and let us know. In the meantime enjoy.

12-30-2006, 01:13 PM	#5
boathousegirl Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Boston and Winnisquam Posts: 44 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	You're all too smart. I did google merganser, and I'm quite sure it's a male merganser. He's quite big and seems to be digging snow. Thank you so much. I'll stop worrying about it.