Winging It: The call of the loon is haunting to some, but romantic to others

"From somewhere off in the distance, a loon called into the ascending night. And drifting across the lake's sleepy surface, its call lent both a stirring mystery and a gentle magic ..." — Craig D. Lounsbrough I remember the first common loon we saw, back when we started chasing birds in 2018. We heard there was a loon in Sheffield Lake, in the pond next to the Backpackers Shop. It was memorable not only because it was our first loon, but because birders were worried about it. Loons need a long stretch of open water to take off, and this pond didn't offer much of a runway. Birders kept a close eye on it, and if I remember right, the bird eventually had to be rescued. Loons are built for swimming, not walking. Their legs are set far back on their bodies, which makes them powerful divers but clumsy, awkward walkers. If frightened on the water, a loon will usually dive rather than fly. When it does take off, it has to run across the surface of the water — a behavior known as wing-rowing — sometimes for a quarter mile before it can lift into the air. They have relatively small wings for their heavy bodies and unusually solid bones for a bird, yet once airborne they can reach speeds of around 70–75 miles per hour. They sometimes land on wet highways or parking lots, mistaking the reflective surface for water, and then need to be rescued and taken to a large body of water. As excellent swimmers, they "shoot through the water like a torpedo, propelled by powerful thrusts of feet located near the rear of their bodies." In pursuit of fish, they can execute a 180-degree turn within a fraction of a second. Their diet consists mostly of fish, with perch and sunfish among their favorites. Like many birds, they will also expand their diet when necessary to include crustaceans and snails. In breeding plumage, they have a striking red eye and bold black-and-white patterning. Over the winter, their plumage dulls to dark gray with white belly. Their bills become light gray and eyes reddish-brown. As true water birds, they build their nests close to the edge of the water. They often arrive reliably, about five days after the ice leaves a northern lake. Males will defend territory in a dramatic, almost "karate-kid" type pose and give a unique yodel that signals ownership. The male selects the nest site, and nesting pairs often reuse the same site year after year. They build the nest together out of dead plant materials such as sedges and marsh grasses. Loons "mate for life." They prefer small islands, which help protect eggs from predators like raccoons that thrive near humans and can easily raid shoreline nests. After hatching, eggshells are removed from the nest so they don't draw attention from predators while the second egg is still incubating. Many shorelines have been developed, often with summer homes, reducing natural breeding areas. In response, conservationists and homeowners in some regions have created artificial nesting islands. In certain areas, these platforms now support up to 20 percent of nesting loons. The female typically lays one to two eggs, which take about a month to incubate. If a nest fails, the pair may lay a second clutch. Young chicks are unable to fly and may remain at sea for two to three years before returning inland to breed. As soon as a chick has dried after hatching, it is called onto the water by a parent. Chicks attempt to dive, but at first they are too buoyant. Parent loons must catch an extraordinary amount of fish — estimated at close to half a ton during a breeding season — to feed themselves and their young. Loon chicks often ride on their parents' backs during their first couple of weeks of life. This behavior helps them conserve heat and avoid predators. And, it's absolutely adorable and image that will resurface with you every time you think of loons. They are spring and fall migrants in Ohio, especially on Lake Erie and larger inland lakes. Some of the best places to see them include Edgewater Park, Wendy Park, East 55th Marina and Coe Lake in Berea. We typically see them in late March and April in the spring, and again in November in the fall. They don't breed here but instead use our lakes as stopover locations to refuel before heading farther north to nest. They breed throughout Canada and Alaska, and also in parts of the northern United States such as Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan. In winter, they are found along the Atlantic Coast and in the Gulf of Mexico. Except for Alaska, Minnesota hosts the largest breeding population of common loons in the United States. With an estimated population of 12,000, they were designated as Minnesota's state bird in 1961. The National Loon Center is located in Minnesota, where you can ride aboard the "Loon Pontoon," to observe loons on Cross Lake. The common loon is probably best known for its call, which some describe as eerie or haunting. I find it romantic. Maybe because it is often reflected across a setting sun on a cold, glistening lake, it feels like the sound of spring. The call is sometimes mistaken for the howl of a wolf. In Cree tradition, one of the largest First Nations in North America, it was said to be the anguished cry of a dead warrior denied entry into paradise. There are even videos of loon calls on YouTube that people use as white noise to fall asleep. Other loon species seen in the United States include the red-throated loon, the smallest species and usually found along the coasts. It is uncommon in our area but occasionally seen on Lake Erie. The Pacific loon is primarily a western species. I saw this one from a distance while in Colorado. The yellow-billed loon, which breeds in Arctic and Alaska, is the largest loon and quite rare. And the arctic loon is also a very rare visitor, mostly found in Alaska. The oldest loon on record was just short of 30 years old (and may have been older, since ages are estimated at banding). Populations have remained relatively stable since 1966, with a global breeding population estimated at around 500,000-700,000. The biggest concern is that loons require clear, unpolluted lakes and are susceptible to pollution, shoreline development and other disturbances. Some lakes have lost both loons and fish due to acid rain. Lead fishing sinkers, mercury from coal burning and commercial fishing nets all create hazards for these magnificent birds. Loons do not migrate in formation and are unmistakable from Canada geese, yet some hunters mistakenly believe they compete for game fish. Sadly, loons no longer breed in Ohio, Illinois, Indiana or Iowa. We hope someday to sit beside a lake in northern Minnesota or upper Michigan at dusk and hear loons calling where they breed — not as visitors, but as residents of a landscape that still belongs to them. It isn't about adding another destination to a list. It's about being present for one of nature's oldest conversations — a call that carries across water and through time, beautifully reminding us that wildness still has a voice and asking us to reflect on what kind of world we intend to leave behind. Black River Audubon Field Trip March 21, 9 a.m. French Creek Reservation 4530 Colorado Ave. Sheffield. Meetup: Parking lot and join us for an early spring walk. We should see a good variety of residents and wintering songbirds. And for those woodpecker lovers, French Creek boasts six year-round species.