Gretchen Farnsworth sent this picture taken early this morning of the loons checking out

the new man-made platform. Gretchen is hopeful they approve and will return next year to nest there. They had exceptionally bad luck nesting this year - their nest was dislodged and they nested on Pearl Island, hatched one egg and the day after the chick arrived, it was killed in some sort of fight with another bird. It's too late for the loon pair to nest again this year, but now they have located the man-made nesting platform, things may go much better next year.

Many thanks to Scott and Geri Pelok, Jim and Gretchen Farnsworth and Jamie Dimick for retrieving the old platform, rebuilding it and getting it relocating right away so the loons will be familiar with it and know it's ready for them next spring. And a special thanks to Gretchen for keeping us updated on the loons with messages and great photos.