The Pip Watch Begins

It’s getting close to hatch time, which we would expect to be most likely Sunday or Monday. Hatching is a relatively long process. It can take up to 20 hours for the chick to completely break apart the shell. The first clear visual sign of an imminent hatch is the pip, a tiny hole at the blunt end of the egg. A loon sitting on the nest can be aware of an impending hatch before the pip because it can sense movement in the egg, which may cause the loon to be more attentive to the egg, frequently shifting its weight or rising up to inspect the egg. It’s always fun to watch for these signs and be the first to see the pip. By tomorrow (Saturday), it will be prime time to be on pip watch. (Unless it happens sooner. Mom is acting kinda twitchy this morning)