I've heard this call several times, but the first time was when I was
fishing at Liberty Reservoir. The bird surfaced only a short distance
behind me on one of those flat calm, quiet days and gave its call Scared
the crap out of me.
On Mon, May 20, 2013 at 7:36 AM, Steve Long <steve.long4...> wrote:
> **
> I have not seen this particular loon, but some previous experiences make
> me question whether it really needs any "help."
>
> For one thing, the Potomac River just across the tow path from this loon's
> location if a fine take-off area for a loon. The loon must be aware of it
> and be able to walk to it.
>
> Another point is that while out fishing I once saw a Common Loon in the
> Chesapeake Bay with a baby on its back, about 2 miles off-shore near the
> mouth of the Choptank River. So I suspect that a few do actually breed
> this far south once in a while. (Maybe they are using the same realestate
> agent as those Canada Geese that stick around?)
>
> As for hearing loons call this far south, I only had it happen once,
> during late autumn or early winter while canoeing off Deep Water Point in
> Trippe Creek. A loon surfaced about 50 yards away and started calling with
> the classic vocalization. There seemed to be a loud echo from the wooded
> shore on the other side, or perhaps it was another loon. Either way, it
> seemed that the loon in front of us was responding to the echo or other
> bird, calling over and over. My wife was thrilled! I have always wondered
> why the loons in our area are not heard, and why this one was so vocal. I
> have always suspected that we don't normally hear them here because they
> normally don't breed here. Even this one that we did hear call did not
> repeat the performance again for the days that we remained in the area.
>
> Anyway, I hope the loon between Violet's and Riley's Locks gets enough
> peace to finish whatever it is doing there. I suspect that it has a nest
> near the tow path. Or, perhaps it was in the process of leading its young
> to the Potomac when Bill happened by? That area is so frequently traveled
> by walkers with dogs that I doubt this loon has been putting-on this
> performance for long at that location.
>
> Steve Long
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> *From:* Christine Huffman <crhuff55...>
> *To:* Bill Hubick <bill_hubick...>
> *Cc:* MDBirds <mdbirding...> ; Bill Sherman<mabsphoto...>
> *Sent:* Sunday, May 19, 2013 4:54 PM
> *Subject:* Re: [MDBirding] Interesting Loon Encounter near Violette's Lock
>
> unfortunately that loon will not survive if it doesn't get to enough water
> to take off and fly. as a bird rehabber, i have had many times when a loon
> needed to be moved to the river or a large pond in order for it to continue
> it's journey. they land by mistake somewhere like a wet black topped
> parking lot or in a stream to o small for take off by running along. the
> parking ot birds often have scrapped up feet.
> to attempt the relocation, you need to cover it with a towel and grab the
> beak to hold it shut and keep it from lunging at you. once you get the
> beak under control, it is doable.
> you cold also call animal control to help or net it if you can locate the
> bird again.
> i am posting this in hopes that someone can find it again and manage to
> move it to a pond or the canal or whatever. they can move around with wings
> and feet, but not very well .
>
> Christine Huffman
> Great Falls, VA
>
>
>
>
> On May 19, 2013, at 4:20 PM, Bill Hubick <bill_hubick...> wrote:
>
> Hi Everyone,
>
> Bill Sherman shared this interesting encounter with a Common Loon near
> Violette's Lock:
>
> I thought you would enjoy hearing about a strange encounter that I
> experienced today. Jim MacConnell and I were birding this morning on the
> C&O canal starting at Pennyfield Lock and ending up at Riley's Lock
> (Seneca). We reached Violette's lock and were heading toward Riley's and
> were about 500 yards or so from Violettes. I was walking on the towpath,
> noticing that the canal on my right was filled with tall grass and just a
> little bit of water. All of a sudden a large bird came shooting out of the
> grass in the canal directly toward me on the towpath. I thought at first
> it might have been a Canada Goose trying to protect its nest, but as I
> backtracked to get away from whatever it was, I saw that it was a Common
> Loon in full breeding plumage. I was quickly moving backwards and the bird
> was coming at me moving using its wings and feet. I must have backed up
> about 25 feet when it finally stopped. It then began to vocalize while
> sitting on the towpath, making that Loon sound that I have only heard
> before in the movie On Golden Pond. The Loon stayed on the path calling
> and as we got closer to it, it began coming at us again. Because it was
> standing between us and our final destination, Riley's Lock, we needed to
> do something to get by and not get poked by its long sharp bill. Jim found
> a leafy branch and held the Loon at bay while we both passed. It then
> disappeared back into the canal grass.
>
> First, I have never seen a Common Loon in breeding plumage and have never
> heard it call. Second, I would have thought that all of the Loons would
> already be on nest much further north than here. The bird did not seem to
> be injured because it was very good at moving quickly using both its wings
> and feet. Would you have any thoughts as to why this bird might be
> behaving this way. It was almost as if it was trying to protect a nest,
> but I know they don't nest here.
>
> I have attached a couple of photos of the Loon. Unfortunately I didn't
> get any photos of it attacking me because -- it was attacking me!!!
>
> Now I know where the phrase CRAZY AS A LOON comes from!!
>
> Bill Sherman
>
> Photos are posted here:
>
> http://www.photostockplus.com/home.php?tmpl=3&action=viewalbum&user_id=31821&album_id=1385854&event=
> .
>
> Regards,
>
> Bill
>
> Bill Hubick
> Pasadena, Maryland
> <bill_hubick...>
> http://www.billhubick.com
> http://www.marylandbiodiversity.com
> http://www.facebook.com/MarylandBiodiversity
>
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