I'm not sure if I spending more time afield these days, or just being lucky, but I am witnessing more and more breeding behaviour this year than in the past. And seeing amazing scenes that I've never seen before.
A trip to Victor Bay to spend time at Leah's parent's camp didn't unfold as planned, as no one was there when we arrived. So our plans got altered and we went for an evening drive instead. I thought that we could drive out past Second Bridge, somewhat selfishly because I hoped to find some Horned Larks, a species I've yet to see this season.
On the way there though we pulled into the outflow of the water lake. I had just turned around at the pump when Leah's sister asked if two birds were ducks or loons (well actually she asked if they were Mitiq or Qarsauq, but I digress). A quick look saw that their silhouettes were unmistakably loons, and I pulled over and handed her the binoculars. Then remarkable things started happening.
First I heard the mewing I heard the other day. At this moment there were probably seven (but certainly at least five) Red-throated Loons on the river/ponds below the water lake. The other day, the loon I heard mewing was by itself, the other loons paired up. Very quickly the single loon (I'm assuming that it is a male, but I really don't know) appeared swimming upstream towards the pair of loons we had initially spotted.
As it approached one of the paired loons started a display that involves plunging underwater producing a large splash, then all three began to swim rapidly around in a sort of synchronized display. The paired loons side by side, the odd loon out a little ways away. This display saw them swimming with their necks curved, heads towards the water, and their wings open partway, held in an arch. The activity was accompanied by a lot of calling that was, well, most loon like. It was reminiscent of the sounds of Common Loons (but distinct enough one would recognize instantly that it wasn't a Common Loon making the calls). It might seem strange to remark on this, but I have never, until the other day, heard these Red-throated Loons make any noise other than what I term a nuthatch on steroids.
This went back and forth for a few minutes with less energetic displays and activity punctuating the dance, when suddenly the lone loon was driven off (or had had enough). He flew over to another pair and the process began anew over there. In the mean time the original pair began making their way closer to where we were parked. From time to time they would pause at the edge of the water and gather plant material as though starting a nest.
At their closest approach, the two began to display again. This time there were no calls, both loons were silent. Most often the male would do the "splash" display, throwing spray a surprising way into the air. But occasionally they would "dance" together. Not with their heads down and wings open, but upright across a short distance of water. Then, right at the edge of shore, the male mounted the female and copulation took place. This was followed again by the gathering of plant material and "nest building". Then one more dance display and they swam away to a farther body of water.
The photos that follow show some of the behaviour we saw. Bear in mind that much of it took place at quite a distance, and all photos have been cropped. At times I was shooting almost directly into a low sun and glare on the water.
The unpaired loon approaches.
A whole lot of excitement and splashing.
The lone loon starts displaying.
The pair begins its open wing display and the lone loon moves to get beside them.
All three display.
After chasing him off, the two paired loons begin the dance display.
Closer now... Splash display.
Flapping wings display just before...
Copulation. The female is not visible in this photo.
Gathering plant material.
The start of...
... and peak of the "dance".
And at the end they turn and look in opposite directions. (And I don't know if it is just me but these loons' faces look a little strange when they look directly at the camera. The eyes and beak just seem to meld into the background of the face.)
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