In Shoreline Refuge a pair of adult loons has just left their nest and returned to the water after hatching two chicks. This family will float on the lake, spending almost as much time diving under the water to catch fish as they do resting on the surface. Their distinctive markings, black head, red eyes, collar around the neck, white breast and checkerboard wings reflect in the water. Many states list the loon on their endangered species list.
Loons are vulnerable to acid rain, shoreline development and the wake of power boats.
This peace loving bird chooses isolated and secluded lakes for nesting. The loon's distinct call serves to warn unsuspecting intruders that they have moved too close to the nest. Sadly, only a small disturbance to the nesting site upsets the loons causing them to abandon the site altogether. During the nesting stage the loons and their eggs are most vulnerable. The parents, unable to move on land, are susceptible to attack and ill equipped to protect their eggs from predators.