On May 30, I confirmed that the pair of loons on Highland Lake are nesting. This is about 10 to 14 days earlier than they have in the past. They have been hovering near the floating nest for about three days and I had hoped that maybe they would be brave enough to climb onto it. However, the site she has chosen is directly behind it. Perhaps, the floating nest will help to protect the nest from wave activity and provide warning. I will be putting out signs, buoys and taping off the ends of the island as I did last year.

The next four weeks (gestation time is 28 to 30 days) will be critical as the water level fluctuations effect the nest as it sits on the edge of the shore. Keeping curious boaters away from the nesting area will be important, too. The nest is protected when an adult is sitting on it. If disturbed to the point that the sitting adult leaves the nest, it will leave the eggs vulnerable to prey.

Keeping dogs off the island is another important task that we all can help with. Together we can  help to let others know and keep folks informed. Thanks everyone!

It is always a thrill to hear our loons return each spring. It is a gift and privilege that we can watch new babies hatch and grow throughout the summer months and fly out to the ocean in the fall.

I am hopeful this year that we will have two baby loons. Perhaps they will arrive before the Fourth of July, which always adds more stresses to a nesting pair with the influx of more activity.