This post is part of a project in the works; "An Ogemaw County Year". The blog and eventually the book will encompass nature noticing, research and facts over the course of a year with a watercolor painting for each entry. Originals and prints will be available via the website as they are completed and prepped and the book will be available upon completion.
The chill of the August dawn clings to my skin as I emerge from the tent, the crunch of my feet on the forest floor around Grousehaven Lake the only sound breaking the early morning stillness. The days are starting to shorten, and many migratory birds are preparing to fly south, leaving the forest quiet around the lake. My breath forms small clouds in the crisp air, and I wrap my jacket tighter around myself as I make my way to the water's edge. August is coming to an end, and the weather is cooling.
As the first light of the sun begins to creep over the horizon, painting the sky with hues of pink and gold, I spot them. The pair of common loons, with their striking black-and-white plumage, glide gracefully across the glassy surface of the lake. Their eerie, haunting calls echo only briefly through the stillness, a sound that is both beautiful and melancholy—a perfect reminder that fall is upon us and these lovely summer creatures will soon be leaving. Their call is indescribably haunting, easily moving you to a rapturous silence as you listen.
I watch quietly as the loons move in perfect synchrony, their movements fluid and serene. This pair has likely been together for years, returning to this very lake each summer to nest and raise their young. Loons are monogamous, forming long-term bonds, and they typically return to the same nesting sites each year. The nesting season starts in late spring, with the loons building their nests close to the water's edge, using grasses, reeds, and other vegetation.
After the eggs are laid, both parents take turns incubating them for about a month. Once the chicks hatch, they are fed and protected by both parents, riding on their backs to stay safe from predators. By mid-summer, the chicks begin to learn how to dive and catch their own food, gradually becoming more independent. Feeding on fish and the occasional frog, these predators dive underwater to secure their food. By the time autumn arrives, the young loons are ready to embark on their first migration.
Migration is a critical part of a loon's life. In the fall, they leave the northern lakes and head to coastal waters where they spend the winter. The journey can be perilous, but loons are strong fliers, capable of traveling long distances. The adults and their young will separate during this migration, reuniting with their mates at their breeding grounds the following spring.
Tracking the movements and populations of loons is essential for their conservation. Researchers use a variety of methods, including banding and satellite telemetry, to monitor these birds. Banding involves placing a small, uniquely numbered ring on a loon's leg, allowing scientists to identify and track individual birds. Satellite telemetry, on the other hand, involves fitting loons with small, lightweight transmitters that send signals to satellites, providing detailed information about their migration routes and wintering sites.
Despite these efforts, loons face numerous challenges. Habitat loss, pollution, and climate change all pose significant threats to their populations. In Michigan, however, conservation efforts have shown promising results. The Seney pair, for instance, is a well-known pair of loons that have been studied extensively for decades. Nesting in the Seney National Wildlife Refuge, this pair has contributed valuable data to our understanding of loon behavior and migration.
The overall population of loons in Michigan has been relatively stable, thanks in part to dedicated conservation programs. Efforts to protect nesting sites, reduce pollution, and educate the public about the importance of preserving loon habitats have all played a role in this success.
As I watch the loons on Grousehaven Lake this morning, I feel a deep sense of connection to these magnificent birds. Their haunting calls and graceful presence are a reminder of the delicate balance of nature and the importance of our efforts to protect it. The sun has fully risen by the time I head back to my campsite, the loons' calls still echoing in my ears, a beautiful memory of summer and a reminder that summer will return.
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