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WE HAVE A CRISIS IN THE LOON FAMILY
This from Evelyn Richer this morning:
Anyhow, we know how everyone watches the family and how they will worry not seeing two chicks... the outcast one needs some prayers but with some Divine Intervention and LOTS of shinners we figure we can all make it!! I never thought our waterscape and my lily garden would end up being a "playpen" for loon chicks in "timeout"!!! Go figure!!
Hi Jane,
I wanted to write to you to let you know about the latest turn of events regarding the loon family. This morning [Wed.] we got a call from Tom Dente saying that one of the loon chicks was apparently separated from the rest of the family. We assured him that this could happen now that the chicks are 3 weeks old, and would he keep an eye on them when he can, to see if they get back together.
Later he called saying that they were still apart... a bit later we observed them entering the cove here by the house and indeed, one of the chicks was still separated from the family. We must have watched them for about a half hour when we then noticed the outcast chick started to approach the family. The chick that had been with the adults quickly swam toward the "outcast". Immediately the "outcast" chick assumed a submissive pose (head down in the water floating motionless). The other chick continually pecked at the head of the "outcast" submissive chick. The pecking continued for at least 15 minutes (it was brutal) and the adults did nothing to stop the one-sided fight. Finally the adults and one chick left the cove leaving the "outcast" chick alone.
The little guy swam directly to shore and hid in the brush getting entangled in it trying to hide. We waited and watched the rest of the family as it swam out onto the main pond away from the little guy. We knew then they had left the chick to die. It had been rejected by the family.
Ray and I jumped into the canoe (Ray was feeling a bit better today, thankfully, as I couldn't have done this rescue alone). We captured the chick (no resistance) an
d placed it into our new pond. He immediately perked up and started to peck at Ray's hand. (A very good sign)... he seemed strong and quite healthy!! Well, we immediately figured it was hungry as it had been tagging along with the family all day from about 300 feet back... so I went to buy some shinners and I was able to hand feed the little guy. He ate 16 shinners (2" plus each)... then he stopped eating! (Guess he struck his limit... thank God!) Well, we set up a silt fence within our pond to keep nighttime preditors out and he seems to be doing fine... so far!
We have contacted Eric Hanson (loon biologist), and he was thankful that we were able to provide a safe haven for him... he is going to check what the plan should be for the little guy, but we are all hoping that after about a week or so of "rehab" in a nursery environment he then can be reintroduced to the family. If that does not work, Eric may introduce it to a foster loon family that has had a failed nest site. Either way, looks like he has a new home for a bit longer.
We are now searching for a minnow trap, and/or a source of shinners. The chick has no problem eating, but he can't catch them very well by himself yet, so I am the designated "mom" at mealtime. He's a bit worse for the wear as he has all his feathers pecked from his head, but we are hoping he will turn out strong enough to go out there and kick his brother's butt!! So they can then get along!
Later he called saying that they were still apart... a bit later we observed them entering the cove here by the house and indeed, one of the chicks was still separated from the family. We must have watched them for about a half hour when we then noticed the outcast chick started to approach the family. The chick that had been with the adults quickly swam toward the "outcast". Immediately the "outcast" chick assumed a submissive pose (head down in the water floating motionless). The other chick continually pecked at the head of the "outcast" submissive chick. The pecking continued for at least 15 minutes (it was brutal) and the adults did nothing to stop the one-sided fight. Finally the adults and one chick left the cove leaving the "outcast" chick alone.
The little guy swam directly to shore and hid in the brush getting entangled in it trying to hide. We waited and watched the rest of the family as it swam out onto the main pond away from the little guy. We knew then they had left the chick to die. It had been rejected by the family.
Ray and I jumped into the canoe (Ray was feeling a bit better today, thankfully, as I couldn't have done this rescue alone). We captured the chick (no resistance) an
d placed it into our new pond. He immediately perked up and started to peck at Ray's hand. (A very good sign)... he seemed strong and quite healthy!! Well, we immediately figured it was hungry as it had been tagging along with the family all day from about 300 feet back... so I went to buy some shinners and I was able to hand feed the little guy. He ate 16 shinners (2" plus each)... then he stopped eating! (Guess he struck his limit... thank God!) Well, we set up a silt fence within our pond to keep nighttime preditors out and he seems to be doing fine... so far!We have contacted Eric Hanson (loon biologist), and he was thankful that we were able to provide a safe haven for him... he is going to check what the plan should be for the little guy, but we are all hoping that after about a week or so of "rehab" in a nursery environment he then can be reintroduced to the family. If that does not work, Eric may introduce it to a foster loon family that has had a failed nest site. Either way, looks like he has a new home for a bit longer.
We are now searching for a minnow trap, and/or a source of shinners. The chick has no problem eating, but he can't catch them very well by himself yet, so I am the designated "mom" at mealtime. He's a bit worse for the wear as he has all his feathers pecked from his head, but we are hoping he will turn out strong enough to go out there and kick his brother's butt!! So they can then get along!
Anyhow, we know how everyone watches the family and how they will worry not seeing two chicks... the outcast one needs some prayers but with some Divine Intervention and LOTS of shinners we figure we can all make it!! I never thought our waterscape and my lily garden would end up being a "playpen" for loon chicks in "timeout"!!! Go figure!!