August 19 – 25, 2022Vol. 24, No. 11

Is This Molting or Is This Permanent?

by Dick Greenan

Loons keep their gray winter plumage from late October through early March. When they molt back into their summer breeding plumage, loons also molt out their flight feathers from the previous year. Thus, they are completely flightless for about a month while on their wintering territory.

Your local Belgrade Lakes Association is well into their fourth year of their Loon Preservation Project to develop a responsible comprehensive plan in order to support our loon population in the very best sustainable manner but this effort requires your support. Please support the Loon Preservation Project at your earliest opportunity via www.blamaine.org.

Although this is our final “Call of the Loon” column for the year, if you have a particular question regarding our Belgrade loon population, please email your inquiry to info@blamaine.org and we will try to answer your question via email until we see you next summer. Have a great balance of your summer enjoying the “Call of the Loon”!

“Well, it’s December 11, and I’d better get a move on, if I want to see the gang down in Rockland.”

The photographer says, “I’m just trying to hold his head steady, while I take the picture! (Just kidding!)”

An adult Long Pond loon in his/her September molting.

Great Pond adult loon in non-breeding, winter plumage.

Dick Greenan is chairman of the Belgrade Lakes Association’s Loon Preservation Project.

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