The Loons Get Down to Business

The high water level doesn’t seem to be slowing this pair down. They’ve been working on building up last year’s nest mound and by this morning the mound broke the surface of the water. And then they wasted no time, mating at 8:46 am. This will likely go on for a week or so before the first egg is laid. By then, the pair should have a high and dry, well-formed nest bowl to receive the egg.

You may notice that some taller saplings have been added around the nest. This is our effort to supply a “natural” cover to act as avian avian predator guard. Last year, the one and only chick to hatch from this nest was taken by an eagle just hours after hatching. We would rather not have a repeat this year.