Safe and Sound

Viewers who followed the first nesting pair have likely noticed that this pair experiences fewer intrusions and less time off the nest. Much of this has to do with the nest site location. This pair is nesting on an island and the nest is on the side facing the mainland. Being on an island reduces the chance of terrestrial predation and facing the main shore limits exposure to weather and waves. When such a location exists, loons will usually choose it for their nest site.

Other advantages of this location are the overhanging hemlock trees and large boulders protruding from the water in front of the nest. The nesting loons are well hidden from the open water and the hemlocks provide shade, giving the nest a much cooler environment than the exposed hummock used by the first nesting pair.