Just Piper This Year

2025, No. 04 — June 14th

Sad news again this year. The second egg hatched yesterday, and we thought the chick would be joining Piper this morning. Unfortunately, it was not alive this morning. It has been collected and taken to LPC for examination.

When this happens, we have to remember that having only one chick means full attention to that chick and no sibling rivalry. Yesterday, Piper was quite active but not yet ready to be eating minnows. Dad tempted her with a fish for quite a while with no luck.

This morning was a different story! Riding on Dad’s back, Piper was offered minnow after minnow.

Which she gobbled up.

From now on, Piper and her parents will be out on the lake and vulnerable. Please keep an eye out for them and stay well clear. Avoid fishing near them and keep an eye on their behavior.

A concerned Loon will raise the feathers on its head and raise its head higher when concerned about your presence. A raised “forehead” (photo below) is a sign of discomfort. That is a good time to move away .

If you don’t move away, it is possible things will escalate and a loon will take on a threatening posture and begin vocalizing (below). We want to avoid those situations.

The Loon Preservation Committee website (Loon.org) has a useful page about best practices when watching loons. We will be back soon with more news about the loons and other creatures on the lake and in its watershed.

Bye for now …  Jen and Jon

Text and Photographs by Jen Esten and Jon Waage