Bird Cams Around the World

Saturday I was watching the parents with the loonlets (?) feeding. The cam was pulled back so we could see the nest canopy (!) and the parents diving. The loonlets were going fast left then right to try to grab a fish from each parent! Very funny, but scary when both parents were underwater, diving deeper to get a fish, and babies were on top alone, yikes! They had to swim really fast to keep up with mom n dad.

Sunday, I noticed they were off the nest most of the day, the loonlets hiding in the lilypads. The cam was pulled back, and you could see why - people were on shore with about 5 different dogs that they were letting swim in the water, maybe chasing frisbee or a ball. After they left, a hour or so later, I saw dad swimming around checking things out. Unfortunately each time thereafter when I checked, could not see anyone on nest, but read comments that 1am the family returned to the nest island.

They were off early this am from posters comments, and is empty now, so we may have seen most of what we can of this family. Commenters have posted that the pacific loon stays at the nest for a week, then starts staying off longer and then leaves.

Have enjoyed all your pictures and videos of these darlings everyone!! THANKS so much. was glad I at least got a week at each loon site this year, feel blessed to have watched and learned more

Thanks for explaining things LeeLee. May we enjoy another great season next year!

It turns out that there is a dog park at Connors Lake which surrounds the lakeshore. That is why we can hear dogs barking and splashing, and people's voices now and then.

Also, some possibly disturbing news. Some viewers posted that the one loonlet was having a problem a couple days ago getting into the nest, and had an injured foot or leg. When the rest of the family got up the ramp and into the nest, he couldnt. So they contacted the TLC (the bird Learning Center) in AK for a rescue and rehab of the loonlet, as they felt he was barely able to lift his head up, being tired of swimming and not being able to rest. They have been hiding in the lilypads the last week. You can hear eagles calling now and then, and they have lost 3 loonlets in the past 10 yrs to eagles, but state this number is low compared to other lakes in AK.

The microphone picks up sounds quite far away, so I am not sure just how close these eagles actually are, and if they are actually flying over the nest island or just somewhere passing the lake area. Of course, the island nest has a canopy also.

I have seen the loonlet having a hard time getting up, but in all fairness, have also seen the parents having a hard time getting up themselves. So I have not been alarmed yet, and I myself did not see the loonlet looking tired as the cam has not been pulled back for a larger view in the last two days. Prior to that, here are a couple pics of the parents and both loon chicks near the lilypads.


Loon island w canopy top, and loon family


Mom with loonlets near the lilypads

The rescuers came out 4pm AK time, on a canoe, and we could hear them talkiing. It sounded like they were saying there was nothing they could do. A viewer posted that on FB site, that info would be posted later, but nothing could be done at this time and all seemed well enough. (?)

Viewers were mixed, some feeling something should have been done anyway, so at this time I myself am not convinced the loonlet is injured. We will have to wait for more info. Viewers are upset saying it is hurt and will not be able to dive in future with this foot. Could not come to my own conclusion, because I have not seen the loonlet up close today, though someone said he was swimming by the nest himself. I did not see both loonlets swim by the nest together, to verify WHICH one I was looking at. I only saw one and he looked fine to me. Maybe that wasnt the "injured" loonlet?

Will have to see whenever someone pans the camera, what is going on. There may not be anyone doing this until Monday, so will update when more answers are available, right not everything is speculation.

Lets hope he is ok ...

Link to site:
http://www.allaboutbirds.org/page.aspx?pid=2454

Thanks for keeping us updated LeeLee. It is always easy to second guess... but I wonder why, after making the trip, they felt they could not complete the rescue, or chose not to. I'll keep this little one in my prayers.

UPDATE: they checked out his right leg, no breaks, scrapes, wounds, etc. He just cannot move it himself. He cannot get onto the nest island at night to be with the family. It is very sad, and they said they cannot do any more for him, let nature take its course. I posted update under IN THE NEWS.

Here is link to TLC blog page where story and pics are. They give a link to audubons email since they are part owners, and said any further requests should go through them. Viewers want someone to go out and make adjustment to opening so he can at least get to be with family resting on nest at night.

Very sad, he is such a cutie.

Link to TLC blog page:
http://birdtlc.blogspot.com/

Very sad, but sometimes human intervention will not solve a problem. Thanks for the update LeeLee.

Larry's story made my day. Wonderful that our little loonlet is doing so well. And what a awesome ennounter with nature and so beautifully described!

WOw, that encounter that Larry had was awesome and he described it like a poet. Glad to hear all is going so well at the lake.

THANKS for posting Larry's blog...what a darling that little loonie is! Still wants to sit on his nest and look out at his "kingdom", the little prince LOL! So happy for that family... meanwhile...



Pacific Loon cam is now offline. The nest island will stay out there with the canopy for protection of loonlet from eagles if they chose to use it. So far at night they do. It has been a couple of days now that no one has been able to see "Lily" the loonlet with the injured right leg, near the lilypads. They are far enough away from the cam that it cannot zoom in enough without losing the pixelation (?). Audubon had emailed a viewer and said they would rescue Lily if she was unable to take off to migrate, when the time came. The concensus is that maybe she ran out of time...the parents were seen the last couple days going further away from the lilypads with the healthy loonlet, diving for food. That loonlet can dive under about 10 feet or so now, and then pops up to receive reward from parent. It was lovely having the cam follow and see this, as we dont get to see that on Larry's cam usually either.

Its possible the parents could not spend enough time returning often enough to the lilypads to give her enough food, or exposure alone led to something happening. This is not confirmed, and we are awaiting any updates from the Audubon or owner of cam/nest island for confirmation if she is seen by the lilypads. It is so far from the other side of shoreline where the dogpark trail goes, that a viewer who walks there could not tell, they intend to return with a telescope and check it out.

If any FB people read this forum, please update us here anything you find about Lily.

It was such a joy to watch the surviving loonlet diving, and at the same time mixed feelings about Lily maybe not having survived long enough for help...

Thank you LeeLee...

Mercury Sickens Adirondacks Loons

Awesome picture and article Beth. I was particularly touched by the author's account of saving the young loon chick after its father was killed. Much to learn about loon behavior here.