Isle Royale Forums

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.

It almost seems to me that loons are making a comeback everywhere. I saw some on the Duluth/Superior harbor the other day.

It is sure nice to read some good news for once, with everything that is happening in our world!

I love listening to the sounds of the loons from my sleeping bag there on the island.

Saw this guy at Rock Harbor while waiting for a water taxi in July 2013.


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I love listening to the sounds of the loons from my sleeping bag there on the island.

thesneakymonkey,

Among the best alarm clocks ever!

Great shot kypaulfg!

kolo wrote: ↑Mon Apr 27, 2020 5:25 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.

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!!!

johnhens wrote: ↑Tue Apr 28, 2020 7:39 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.

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!

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.

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.

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.