I had a message this morning wondering if the young loon is ok.  There was an adult pair observed on the big pond being frantic about an eagle overhead.  There was no sign of the chick, and we wondered if it had perhaps been snatched by the eagle.  I got in touch with Evelyn and Ray Richer, our resident loon experts, and Evelyn responded with the following:

Without knowing exactly what was observed, it is hard to say, but since the chick is now six and a half weeks old and nearly the size of the adults, and very capable of fending for itself (diving and feeding itself) it may not even be hanging out with the parents as much, it may be hard to tell which loons were spotted.  While eagles have been very prevalent on the pond this year, so have the osprey.  The loons would react to both in a similar vocal manner.   They do not tolerate the presence of the eagles, and will vocalize when they are anywhere near the pond.  We have gotten so we can tell if an eagle is near, just by hearing the loons... and it's usually way before the eagle has 'arrived' above the pond... so when it is visible the loons do go crazy, whether the eagle has taken a chick or not.  But do remember the defense the loons have from a threat from above is diving... they can get deep in the water and far away quickly... (out of reach for any eagle)... and with other loons (parents) keeping an eye on the sky at all times, the chick is a hard 'catch' for an eagle to get at its current size and age.  (But it COULD happen)

We will definitely keep our eyes open and would ask others to do the same to spot the family.    Remember you are not looking for a tiny chick at this point, but a nearly full grown loon, with brownish coloring...and it may not even be on the same pond as the adults, some juvenile loons will separate themselves from the parents early ... Binoculars are needed to distinguish the chick from the adults if they are not close together.

NOTE: it will be learning to fly in a few more weeks.  --Evelyn

Based on what Evelyn told us, I suspect the young loon is safe and doing its own thing somewhere away from the parents.  That's what kids do, right?  We would appreciate knowing for sure, though, so if you see the young brownish colored loon, let me know either by a comment here or at janebrown@fairpoint.net.  After watching on the Audubon web cam site the video of the eagle snatching away two baby ospreys on Hog Island in Maine earlier this summer, I am not altogether happy about having one (or more) eagles camping out here at Joe's Pond.  Sometimes it's really hard to accept nature in the "raw" - we tend to personalize what goes on when really it's just normal behavior.

Evelyn told me Ray has a new loon show that is quite unique.  She will let me know when and where he will be presenting it so Joe's Pond folks will have a chance to see it.