Loon Report Spring 2025

By Pat Mechelke

Loons normally return to lakes in our area shortly after ice out.  After wintering in the Gulf of Mexico, they regularly stop in larger waters like Lake Michigan to feed and regain strength on their return north.  This year, ice out on Half Moon Lake was April 7th.  The next day the unique call of the loon was heard on the north end of the lake.  A study by Dr. Walter Piper on banded chicks on northern Wisconsin lakes showed that, as adults, male loons return within seven miles of their birth lake; female loons return to within fifteen miles.  This indicates that something occurs in their first few months of life enabling them to return to lakes near where they were born.  It’s unusual on a lake our size to have two pairs of loons but once again this year we are blessed with two pairs that will hopefully successfully nest and raise chicks.  

Unfortunately, we have not been on the lake much this spring.  Thus, when and if each pair nested is not documented.  On the 23rd of May, we did see the pair on the south end nesting.  That same weekend, we observed the pair on the north end and a floater (a single loon) swimming in the middle of the lake.  If this pair nested and it failed, there is still time for them to renest. Sadly, for the past two years we have not had any chicks hatch and successfully survive the summer.  

Please remember to remain at least 200’ from the loons when kayaking, jet skiing or boating.  I had to remind two fishermen who were not only too close to the loon’s nest but were also casting towards it to move their boat away.  If they scare the loons off the nest, there is a good chance they won’t return.  I would greatly appreciate it if any of you observe odd or unusual loon behavior, you e-mail me at tmechelke@gmail.com. I keep a journal on our loons including when they arrive, where they nest, when chicks hatch and general loon behavior and report to the Loon Watch program in Ashland.  It’s helpful if others help out with some of this information such as when chicks hatch, # of loons seen on the lake, etc.   I hope you have a terrific summer and appreciate and enjoy our loons as much as I do.