Q: During late summer and early fall, large numbers of loons were recently spotted gathering on a number of lakes. However, they were not feeding and not fighting; they appeared to be partying. Why is this? Is this part of the fall migration?
A: Loons are territorial when they are nesting and raising chicks, according to Pam Perry, Department of Natural Resources nongame wildlife lake specialist, Brainerd.
But starting in mid-summer, groups of non-mated loons, or loons that were unsuccessful with nesting, begin to gather and move around between lakes. Perry calls these groups "loon parties" because they are indeed socializing and not fighting. Sometimes the loons will circle and actively interact. As the summer wanes on, these groups get larger and blend into the pre-migratory behavior of gathering on larger lakes.
In September, many adult loons that successfully raised chicks leave those lakes, and their chicks, to join the loon groups. In 1998, loon counts completed on Mille Lacs and Winnibigoshish lakes documented a peak of more than 1,500 loons on each lake in mid-October. The loons then fly south to the ocean for the winter, leaving in late October and November.
