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Isle Royale Loons

Posted: Mon Apr 20, 2020 6:58 pm
by johnhens
I have been looking into the Loon nesting status on IR. A survery was done in '02. There were 106 nesting pairs of Loons on IR. 63 nesting on inland lakes. 43 nesting On Superior waters. Amazing numbers given IR's size.

Re: Isle Royale Loons

Posted: Wed Apr 22, 2020 11:13 am
by fonixmunkee
It almost seems to me that loons are making a comeback everywhere. I saw some on the Duluth/Superior harbor the other day.

Re: Isle Royale Loons

Posted: Wed Apr 22, 2020 1:03 pm
by kolo
It is sure nice to read some good news for once, with everything that is happening in our world!

Re: Isle Royale Loons

Posted: Wed Apr 22, 2020 3:17 pm
by thesneakymonkey
I love listening to the sounds of the loons from my sleeping bag there on the island.

Re: Isle Royale Loons

Posted: Mon Apr 27, 2020 12:13 pm
by kypaulfg
Image
Saw this guy at Rock Harbor while waiting for a water taxi in July 2013.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Re: Isle Royale Loons

Posted: Mon Apr 27, 2020 4:25 pm
by kolo
I love listening to the sounds of the loons from my sleeping bag there on the island.
thesneakymonkey,

Among the best alarm clocks ever!

Re: Isle Royale Loons

Posted: Mon Apr 27, 2020 4:27 pm
by kolo
Great shot kypaulfg!

Re: Isle Royale Loons

Posted: Mon Apr 27, 2020 5:52 pm
by thesneakymonkey
kolo wrote: Mon Apr 27, 2020 4:25 pm
I love listening to the sounds of the loons from my sleeping bag there on the island.
thesneakymonkey,

Among the best alarm clocks ever!
It’s the only one I won’t slam the snooze button on.

Re: Isle Royale Loons

Posted: Tue Apr 28, 2020 6:39 am
by johnhens
How often have you heard a Loon call in the distance and thought " is that a wolf?" I have sat outside at Moskey, in the fall, at night listening to big numbers of Loons call. One starts and soon the others are calling. Great sound!!!

Re: Isle Royale Loons

Posted: Tue Apr 28, 2020 7:05 am
by dcclark
johnhens wrote: Tue Apr 28, 2020 6:39 am How often have you heard a Loon call in the distance and thought " is that a wolf?" I have sat outside at Moskey, in the fall, at night listening to big numbers of Loons call. One starts and soon the others are calling. Great sound!!!
I've heard loons and I've heard wolves (and coyotes, too). I don't expect I would ever confuse one for the other. But apparently it happens a lot. Last year, I heard from rangers that it's pretty common for someone to come in to the Rock Harbor visitor center and say "I heard a wolf!". They have an audio clip of a loon call ready to pull up in such situations and ask "did it sound like this?". More often than not, the hikers did indeed hear a loon.

Re: Isle Royale Loons

Posted: Sat Feb 27, 2021 12:40 am
by wjblazek
Thanks for these stats on Loons.
The breakdown of inland vs Superior shoreline is interesting.

I'm planning on going to IR this summer and
one of my primary goals is to hear the loons.
I have been to Boundary Waters and Quetico years ago and love their calls!
I won't consider my trip to IR complete without hearing at least 1 loon calling!
One of the greatest sounds in the natural world, IMHO.

Qs:
Is there a best place on IR to see and hear them?
Any particular inland lake or stretch of the LS shoreline where one would be more likely to hear them?
Or best time of the summer to hear them?

Thanks in advance!

Re: Isle Royale Loons

Posted: Sat Feb 27, 2021 6:27 am
by johnhens
Moskey Basin is great. Tobin Harbor. Lane Cove. Daisy Farm dock. Depending on the time in summer, may not be calling as much as they tend their chicks.
Fall in Moskey is great as they gather there in large flocks for migration. They may keep you up all night with their calling.

Re: Isle Royale Loons

Posted: Sat Feb 27, 2021 8:47 am
by treeplanter
Chippewa Harbor is the best place on IR that I've have personally experienced for hearing loons. This was in late August. Nothing beats hearing loons call at 2:00 AM.

Re: Isle Royale Loons

Posted: Sat Feb 27, 2021 10:05 am
by Bobcat1
I saw a loon family, parent and juveniles, call out in alarm and dive just in time to avoid a bald eagle swooping in to grab a chick for lunch. 20 yards from my kayak inTobin Harbor near Merritt Island.