Lori,
   Concerning your loons at Loch Raven:  Adult birds should be in full breeding plumage by now.  If the birds you saw were in an intermediate plumage then they are not adults and will not breed this year.  Frequently such birds linger later than most of the migrants.  Some may remain through the summer though they do not nest anywhere near here.  Therefore, your sighting sounds perfectly reasonable.
   By the way, to set the record straight, I doubt that there were "many" loons on Loch Raven all winter.  In fact, I doubt if there were any.  They move out when the lake freezes in early to mid winter and return beginning in late March by which time thay have molted into breeding plumage.

> From: Lori Kay Brown <>
> Date: 2004/05/09 Sun AM 10:26:33 EDT
> To: 
> Subject: [MDOSPREY] Sat - 5/8 - Loch Raven
>
> Dear Listers --

> Isn't this really late for loons around here? I know we had many loons on Loch Raven all winter

Bob Ringler
Eldersburg MD


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