As of June 15, our Highland Lake loons are still sitting on the nest, which is on the southeast side of the island. We will be expecting the chicks to hatch about the 30th.

Hopefully, by the Fourth of July weekend they will be nestled with two baby loons in the cove by the Agoos. This quiet cove has been their “nursery” in past years, and they will keep their newborns here for about three to five days.

After this period, they will begin to venture out around the lake. We will all have to be careful while out on the lake to give them plenty of room. Baby loons cannot dive to avoid boats or water-skiers.

Kitty Wilson, Pleasant Lake loon volunteer, photographer, and expert on loons writes, “Working with a long lens on a tripod in my little Zodiac, I can get good photos of the loons’ behavior from 75 to 100 feet away. But each of those photos will be cropped and enlarged for your viewing pleasure so that it looks like we are five feet from the loons. I can assure you that they would not be acting normally if I was five feet away!

“If you get out on the water to watch the loons, bring a good pair of binoculars and enjoy watching their constant activity with their chicks. Please do not paddle closer and closer to get a shot with your camera or phone. You will become the center of their attention, and the results could be catastrophic for the chicks.

“If you are with several people, be sure not to surround the loon family. Never stay long, but do enjoy the magic of observing these amazing birds.”