Loons

The cormorant post got me thinking about something I saw on Bay Springs a couple weeks ago.
They have a big population of loons, and I’m pretty sure it’s growing and they are permanent residents now.
Had 25 plus come paddling by me.
I always thought they were cool and kind of exotic, for Mississippi at least. I’ve spent many a day in cooler weather fishing while they dipped and dived around me. I’d try to imitate their call and think I actually had a few scratching their heads, looking at me sideways.
I always pictured them eating minnow sized stuff, shad and such.
But last time one surfaced close to the boat with a good sized fish, probably 6-7 inches at least. Couldn’t tell for sure but looked like a bluegill. It was really working hard to swallow it, but think they got it down finally. Wondering how many crappie they eat?


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At least loons are better looking than cormorants. :Rofl

Thought provoking Jeff….:dono:dono

The loons in MN know my boat. When they see it, they start fishing my fish.

Yeah, KY has a plethora of fish eating birds. Along with the Loons, we also have Eagles, Osprey, Seagulls, Pelicans, Cormorants, Herons, & Kingfishers.
On any given day you can probably see all the above on KY Lake & Lake Barkley in Western KY. I've seen Eagles, Cormorants, and Herons on several of the Central KY lakes where I fish.

don't know for sure , but am pretty sure about them as well , had one "fish" with me at lake fork one fine winter day ....
came right to the boat , not sure if it wanted a handout or what the deal was , but it was one bird .....
NOT a hundred , just saying

Never knew they ventured that far south. I always had pictured them on the northern lakes. Not as bad as the cormorants!
Bob

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Originally Posted by BobC

Never knew they ventured that far south. I always had pictured them on the northern lakes. Not as bad as the cormorants!
Bob

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I saw some of those ugly things on the same lake about 20 years ago.
They were on a limb of a dead tree over the water, looked like they were drying, sunning or something. Holding their stubby wings out, sitting perfectly still.
Creepy looking!


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These pics kinda speak for themselves about the Great Blue Herons :yikes (in Florida)

https://scontent.fosu2-2.fna.fbcdn.n...Jw&oe=680F4031

Don't have many loons that make there way to my lake and only the winter. I've always thought there song is about as beautiful a sound in the wild you'll ever hear. Love it. Scott

We have loons here too. Most of them drive

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Originally Posted by Cane Pole

We have loons here too. Most of them drive

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You think you've got it bad, you should come up here!!! :Rofl

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Originally Posted by CrappiePappy

These pics kinda speak for themselves about the Great Blue Herons :yikes (in Florida)

https://scontent.fosu2-2.fna.fbcdn.n...Jw&oe=680F4031

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Wow! Nothing like fresh gator. Great photos. Never saw that before!
Bob

Loons are indeed fascinating birds and have a diverse diet, primarily consisting of fish. They can consume larger fish than people often think, including crappie, depending on the availability and size of the fish. Typically, loons hunt by diving underwater and are quite proficient at catching various fish species. Their presence, as you've observed, seems to be becoming more permanent in areas like Bay Springs, likely due to suitable habitat and food supply. It's always intriguing to watch their behavior, especially when they manage to gulp down sizable catches!