By Debbie Hammond 

Just in case you weren’t in the loon loop last summer, we are proud to announce the 2024 arrival of the first loon chick on Taylor Pond in a very long time. Not that the little loonlet needs a name, but online observers tossed out the names “Junior” or “Taylor” when they started circulating photos for the first time on July 12. The family of three cruised and fished the pond all summer until leaving for the winter. While we expect to see the parents back this summer, “Junior” will likely take a little tour of Maine before returning to Taylor Pond, if he/she returns at all. 

According to Maine Audubon, once a chick fledges and migrates to the coast for its first winter, it won’t return to its lake breeding grounds until it’s two to five years old. Then it may wander between lakes over a few breeding seasons before settling on a lake to breed—either the same lake where it was raised as a chick or one within a dozen miles. Once settled in a breeding territory, loons show high site fidelity—returning to the same lake each spring, year after year. Loons typically stick with the breeding territory until they lose to a challenger. Loons will also use the same nesting site repeatedly, though may move to a new nesting site within their territory if, for instance, they’ve had low success at a site or the habitat has changed.  

The loon nesting platform successfully used by this mating pair last summer has been deployed at the same location as last year, on the north end of Taylor Pond. It is outfitted with an avian guard to protect the nest from predators. Special thanks to Ray and Cheryl Tardiff for storing the nest for the winter and replenishing the branches in the avian guard. As part of the Loon Restoration Project, the nesting activity is monitored weekly and reported to the Maine Audubon Society. Keep your eyes open for nesting loons and your fingers crossed for another baby loon for the summer of 2025!