Virus Update

Just a quick note about the virus. It is worse than we originally thought. It has disabled the infrared operation for night viewing as well, and now the video image has been lost, again, and we can't do anything remotely.

We will have someone on site trying to remedy the problem, later today. In the meantime, at 5:45 am EST, I can report one adult is on the nest, and all appears fine with the loons.

Check back later in the day, or early evening. Thanks for your patience!

Lee Attix
BioDiversity Research Institute

Loons Progressing Nicely - Loon Cam Computer Attacked By Virus

Greetings, looncam bloggers. I'm blogging a day early, as I'm going to be away for the next three days. In my absense, new blogs may not be posted until late Sunday, or Monday morning.

The incubation period of approximately 27 days seems to be progressing very well. We haven't seen any signs of predation attempts from the mink or others, such as eagles, ravens, otters and snapping turtles. These are all possible threats to loon eggs successfully hatching.

We've posted a lot of blogs that expressed concern about the noise and impact of consruction in the area. While it may be unpleasant for our ears when we'd prefer a "pure" natural experience, this really has no impact on the loons. Noise travels great distances over water, especially if you're down wind. The chainsaw we often hear is part of cleanup efforts from an early spring forest fire that was started by a lightening storm, which damaged forest and properties in the area. All of this work is hundreds of yards from the loons, and likely bothers us much more than the loons.

The panting that we see from the loons on nest is normal behavior. Just like dogs, this is the way that loons can help keep themselves cool.

I wish I could say that things are going as smoothly for our loon cam computer. Despite having a firewall and virus protection, the computer was attacked by a nasty virus, yesterday, and it's likely to be several days before we can remedy the problems the virus is creating. We have been able to restore the video, but the refreshing still image will remain disabled until we can find a way to rid the computer of the virus. Thanks for your patience with this problem!

My next blog will discuss the anticipated hatching, and what we hope to see. Have your "No Dose" handy, as this has the potential to be really special.

Lee Attix
BioDiversity Research Institute

Incubation Is Underway - Spider Web And All

There sure was a lot of debate about when the second egg was actually laid, and until we have a chance to review taped footage, we won't know for sure. I believe that it happened sometime late Saturday, June 10, or early Sunday, June 11. We'll try to confirm this at a later date.

Many of you expressed concern about how much time the loons spend off the nest. This is quite common in the early days of incubation, and sometimes even quite late in the incubation period (approximately 27 days). I've been monitoring loons for 10 years, and I've witnessed pairs that seemed to be off the nest more than on, and miraculously, they still hatched young. Quite something!

For those hoping to catch the loons switching incubation duties, the best time to observe is 6-9 am & 5-8 pm. If this pair stays in their usual cycle, the female will be on nest at night, and the male during the day. In past years, they have been quite routine in this behavior pattern. We believe that this is a typical routine with common loons, as males roam the territory during darkness, and often can be heard yodeling as part of their territorial defense behavior.

Unfortunately, the spider web is a nuisance we've had to deal with every year. I guess the perfect circle provided by the camera lens is too good to pass up. The lens does have a wiper to clean it, but the web is made on the outer, protective housing, some inches away. If anyone knows of some method that might prevent the spiders from building the web, we'd love to hear about it.

In the coming weeks leading up to anticipated hatching the week of July 3, you can expect to see the loons on the nest more than off, frequently turning the eggs, and switching incubation duties per the approximate schedule discussed earlier. Along with their diligence, the chicks developing inside of those shells will need good fortune and luck, as is always the case with nature and living things. Aren't we lucky to have such an intimate chance to observe wildlife in all it's glory, without disturbing their natural breeding behavior.

Enjoy, and have a great weekend!

Lee Attix
BioDiversity Research Institute

First Egg Laid!!!!

Good morning to all you enthusiastic loon bloggers. From reviewing all of your blogs, I don't know that I can add very much. Your observationa are quite keen and comprehensive.

The first egg was officially laid a little after 2:30 pm, EST, on June 8, and I believe there was joy heard around the world. As one keen astute blogger reported, the female sat on the nest rocking forward and back. This is the action we observe when the egg is actually being laid. That was a thrilling sight indeed!!

A fascinating fact about egg production is that from the time a mature egg drops down and is fertilized, it only takes roughly 24 hours for complete development. Isn't that miraculous? Loon eggs are quite large, and their shells are substantial. I find it astounding that this process takes so little time.

As all of you, I was very glad to see an adult back on the nest, incubating, this morning. Many of you expressed deep concern that the nest was abaondoned, last night. Actually, it's quite common for common loons to spend a good bit of time without attending the egg in the first few days. This doesn't appear to be a critical time for incubation, but it does expose the egg to the threat of predation.

The past two years, we have had a very pesky mink arrive on night number one. In 2004, this caused a nest failure. Last season, the loon stayed firmly on the egg, and kept the mink at bay with loud shrills, and the threat of it's dangerous bill. I believe we escaped the first night this time without a visit from the mink.

It's likely that the loons will lay another egg in the next day or so. Watch for copulation, and another view of the female rocking back & forth on the nest.

Happy viewing, and thanks again for all your great blogs, and for the financial support to keep this fascinating project going for all to witness!

Lee Attix
BioDiversity Research Institute

Patience Is A Virtue - But Will The Loons Nest

Many thanks to all of you that have been tuning in to the live loon webcam, and communicating your observations for all of us to read. I know that we're all disappointed that there hasn't been more to observe - like a loon on the nest.

Although we don't want anyone to lose hope (they are still well within the nesting window for Maine loons), it is possible that this pair won't nest this season. Our research has documented cases of pairs "taking a year off".

If they intend to nest, we should see more frequent and lengthier visits to the nest site we are watching, and we are likely to catch some copulation events as we did, last year. If this transpires, you want to be sure to check in often, as the loons should then lay eggs and begin the incubation process.

Many blogs have continued to ask about nest location and perspective. I tried to address this in my last blog. Describing the exact nest location for birds that often use little more than a scrape on the ground is difficult. Read my last blog for my best attempt to describe it, and understand that you are looking through a camera lens that is approximately 3 feet above the water/ground, and shooting fairly parallel to the water. Loons always nest in close proximity to the waters edge, as they can't walk out of the water to nest further up on land. Hope this is helpful.