5349-R2_ML&P_LSLA_2016_Web_WinterNewsletter_Web

Little Sebago Loonacy

Happy Fall to all,

issue, however the single loon may have been of pre-reproductive age until this year, and then when he reached mating age he became aggressive in acquiring territory and a mate. I share this nest story because of its atypical nature. We had not previously been witness to an event such as this and discussed observations and theory with biologist. The deceased chick’s body was also provided to the biologist for study. In the intervening period five more nests were active and successful. Nests were reported in Sheldrake Cove and on Treasure Island by the end of May. Sheldrake hatched two chicks, but had lost one by day two. Treasure hatched one chick. Both chicks were observed throughout the summer, being cared for by two attentive parents, and are now fully grown. The Sheldrake juvenile is surmised to be a male as he appears to be larger than at least one of his parents. The Treasure juvenile is surmised to be female as she is notably smaller. Leg bands were observed on at least one adult of each pair in Sheldrake and on Treasure Island that correspond to past years resident loons at the same nest sight. The Flamingo Island nest remained well hidden for part of its incubation period so the exact nesting date remains unknown. Two chicks were hatched on July 6. These chicks were also observed throughout the summer, at times with one parent present, and at times with both. It was also noted from early on that one chick was somewhat smaller than the other and usually seen very close to a parent while the other larger chick appeared more adventurous and ventured off independently until the parent called it back. The conclusion is that the smaller chick may be female and the larger chick male. Both are now fully grown and independent. The Policeman’s cove nest was first detected on June 13. Each time I observed this nest one parent was sitting the nest while the other parent remained within sight either south toward Spider Island or North

The great news is that we have 5 healthy and happy juvenile loon chicks still in residence on Little Sebago as of October 24, 2017. That is a vast improvement from summer 2016 when we saw 5 chicks hatched and only 2 survive their first season! Little Sebago had a very early ice-out on April 14 this year with loons sighted even before the entire lake was clear. By May 17 our first nest was spotted on Hill Island in Hayden Bay. Over the next few weeks I observed this parent pair quite frequently and found one parent oddly un -attentive. Typically, with a new nest, one loon is seen sitting the next while the other hovers somewhat closelynearby toguardagainst predators. In thiscase, the non-sitting parent was rarely seen within sight of the nest, which was not only odd, but unsettling, as it seemed the nest would have diminished chance of success if one parent was absent the process. However, a single chick did hatch on June 15, but with only one parent in attendance. I watched while the newly hatched chick was boarded on mom’s back so that she could re-mount the nest and continue to incubate the remaining egg. Again, it would have been usual for one parent to take over care of the newly hatched chick while the other remained atop the nest, yet this un-involved parent swam by and did not stop to assist. Very disappointing. The second egg apparently was either unsuccessful or abandoned. Over the next few days I was greatly relieved and pleased to find both parents attending the new chick. Sadly, the Hill Island chick was lost on July 1. Observers witnessed an adult loon attack the chick as the parent in attendance tried unsuccessfully to intercede. Our observations lead us to conclude that the male parent was somewhat aged and incapable of protecting his family and territory from a younger male looking for a mate and prime territory. There had been a single loon observed mingling among the mated pairs for two or three years without

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