Loons

The Real BigGuy · 09-18-2019, 08:31 AM

Saw a cluster of 10 Loons just N of Ragged last evening. They must be getting ready to leave☹️

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The Real BigGuy · 09-18-2019, 08:33 AM

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FlyingScot · 09-18-2019, 09:58 AM

Very interesting. I don't know much about loons, but I thought they were very territorial, and therefore did not flock. Is this behavior only for migration?

The Winster · 09-18-2019, 10:48 AM

Stopped in at the Loon Center in Moultonboro one rainy day this summer for a brief but informative visit and I can confirm that your thoughts are correct...mating loon pairs are indeed territorial but they will gather in groups for migration

tis · 09-18-2019, 11:53 AM

And while that is true, I am still wondering why people posted so many pictures of the gathering this summer. That is very unusual. Did they think fall came early?

Barney Bear · 09-18-2019, 12:04 PM

A parent and two young loons "fished" in front of our place on East Beat Island for more than an hour yesterday. Usually, they pass on by while seeking a tasty morsel or two. 🐻

Merrymeeting · 09-18-2019, 03:04 PM

They are deadly territorial during mating and nesting season, then can become best buddies later in the season and during migration. I have a picture from mid-November of a few years ago of a flock (right term?) of 19 of them floating together in a bay on Merrymeeting.

We've had anywhere from 4 to 6 in front of our place on occasion for the past month. They even cooperate while fishing and seem to circle their prey while fishing.

hilltopper · 09-19-2019, 09:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Merrymeeting

I have a picture from mid-November of a few years ago of a flock (right term?) of 19 of them floating together in a bay on Merrymeeting.

Never knew this but...

A group of loons has many collective nouns, including an "asylum", "cry", "loomery", "raft", and "water dance" of loons.

steve-on-mark · 09-19-2019, 12:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hilltopper

Never knew this but...

A group of loons has many collective nouns, including an "asylum", "cry", "loomery", "raft", and "water dance" of loons.

" boatload"?

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09-18-2019, 08:31 AM	#1
The Real BigGuy Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 1,306 Thanks: 125 Thanked 467 Times in 285 Posts	Loons Saw a cluster of 10 Loons just N of Ragged last evening. They must be getting ready to leave☹️ Sent from my iPhone using Winnipesaukee Forum mobile app

09-18-2019, 12:04 PM	#6
Barney Bear Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 962 Thanks: 495 Thanked 273 Times in 174 Posts	Loony Toons A parent and two young loons "fished" in front of our place on East Beat Island for more than an hour yesterday. Usually, they pass on by while seeking a tasty morsel or two. 🐻

09-18-2019, 08:33 AM	#2
The Real BigGuy Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 1,306 Thanks: 125 Thanked 467 Times in 285 Posts	Sent from my iPhone using Winnipesaukee Forum mobile app

The Following User Says Thank You to The Real BigGuy For This Useful Post:
The Winster (09-18-2019)

09-18-2019, 09:58 AM	#3
FlyingScot Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Tuftonboro and Sudbury, MA Posts: 2,369 Thanks: 1,269 Thanked 1,016 Times in 626 Posts	Very interesting. I don't know much about loons, but I thought they were very territorial, and therefore did not flock. Is this behavior only for migration?

09-18-2019, 10:48 AM	#4
The Winster Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Connecticut and Tuftonboro Posts: 55 Thanks: 115 Thanked 41 Times in 18 Posts	Stopped in at the Loon Center in Moultonboro one rainy day this summer for a brief but informative visit and I can confirm that your thoughts are correct...mating loon pairs are indeed territorial but they will gather in groups for migration

The Following User Says Thank You to The Winster For This Useful Post:
FlyingScot (09-19-2019)

09-18-2019, 11:53 AM	#5
tis Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 6,697 Thanks: 751 Thanked 1,452 Times in 1,009 Posts	And while that is true, I am still wondering why people posted so many pictures of the gathering this summer. That is very unusual. Did they think fall came early?

09-18-2019, 03:04 PM	#7
Merrymeeting Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Merrymeeting Lake, New Durham Posts: 2,226 Thanks: 302 Thanked 800 Times in 368 Posts	They are deadly territorial during mating and nesting season, then can become best buddies later in the season and during migration. I have a picture from mid-November of a few years ago of a flock (right term?) of 19 of them floating together in a bay on Merrymeeting. We've had anywhere from 4 to 6 in front of our place on occasion for the past month. They even cooperate while fishing and seem to circle their prey while fishing.