My friend and I traveled an hour north of Madison in early April to see some Common Loons up close. We belong to some birding groups that report new arrivals and rare birds which helps us see many more species each spring.
A few days earlier hundred of loons were spotted on this little lake in a village park. Thankfully dozens were still there when we visited.
We were not alone. Several dozen people were in the park watching the loons with cameras and spotting scopes. Others were sitting on the benches next to the shore watching these fascinating birds dive, swim and flap their wings.
Common Loons spend their summers in Northern Wisconsin and Canada, so this was just a stopover on their spring migration.
The Cornell Lab of Ornithology says that, “The Common Loon swims underwater to catch fish, propelling itself with its feet. It swallows most of its prey underwater. The loon has sharp, rearward-pointing projections on the roof of its mouth and tongue that help it keep a firm hold on slippery fish…Loons are well equipped for their submarine maneuvers to catch fish. Unlike most birds, loons have solid bones that make them less buoyant and better at diving. They can quickly blow air out of their lungs and flatten their feathers to expel air within their plumage, so they can dive quickly and swim fast underwater. Once below the surface, the loon’s heart slows down to conserve oxygen.”
