Date: 11/20/24 6:58 am From: Joseph Neal <0000078cbd583d7c-dmarc-request...> Subject: Yodels
Most of the loons we see in our region are COMMON LOONS, but on occasion we see other loon species. My local lake, Beaver, is used by loons, mainly in migration, but often in low numbers. At about 70 miles, Tenkiller Lake in eastern Oklahoma is an easy drive from Fayetteville and often full of wintering loons.
The choice for a birding day is: Lake No Loons versus Lake Many Loons.
Since at least the 1980s, observers have found significant populations of wintering loons on Tenkiller – sometimes several hundred in a day. Also found sometimes: Red-throated, Pacific, and Yellow-billed Loons. In addition, it’s a good place to see several gull species, American White Pelicans, ducks, grebes, and others.
Yesterday was a day with low wind, so the lake was relatively “flat.” This makes for good observation, including relatively long distances. I was checking out birds at Chicken Creek Park --the boat ramp area open when the main park is closed for winter. About ¾ or so miles out I saw a single American White Pelican with nearby 5-7 loons. One of the loons looked smaller. This proved to be a Pacific Loon. Here are some photos: https://ebird.org/checklist/S203078501<https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Febird.org%2Fchecklist%2FS203078501&data=05%7C02%<7Carbird-l...>%7C215367709b234ccf913f08dd0973c429%7C79c742c4e61c4fa5be89a3cb566a80d1%7C0%7C0%7C638677114993795501%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=IGqwd1mRLgOCB7Md3BV6A0zJAALOhFzQ49jlh5P1B8c%3D&reserved=0> I started birding Tenkiller near the dam about 9 AM. Finished at Standing Rock at 2:30. Made 8 main stops affording decent views of the lake. Finished with 74 loons (Common 73, Pacific 1) and 69 American White Pelicans. Most of the gulls yesterday were Ring-billed, but I finally saw a few Bonaparte’s.
73 Common Loons is a modest count for Tenkiller. I think it means the Big Freeze has not yet driven loons off the Great Lakes and other spots up north. We can probably thank rising global temps.
As for memories: with sun and rising temps, loons were doing a lot of “barking” and some yodeling. At Carlisle I got fortunately blasted by a Common Loon. It suddenly popped up in front of me and sent a robust, remarkable yodel clear across the lake.
