Date: 06/28/2005

Number: 1

I found the loon sitting on the beach above the surf. The surf had been rough that day and the local turtle patrol reported later that they had received several reports of loons on the beach. They think that the loons were washing up on the beach to rest and that they would wait for high tide to go out again. They said the birds were migrating.

I didn't know any of this at the time, or that the bird was a loon for sure as it did not have the typical black and white plummage. I looked for broken wings, etc, and the bird first tried to peck me but then allowed the gentle exam. Wings and legs seemed fine and no visible problems, but the bird would not move except to scoot away from the surf a bit more.

I picked it up to move it to the canal side of the island. I had to grab the bird's long beak in with my free hand to keep it from pecking me. I put the bird on a short bit of sand by the water. It just lay there, looking.

I picked the bird up and placed it in the water.

Holden Beach, NC

Latitude: 41.9 Longitude: -87.8

Observed by: Stephen
Contact Observer

The observer's e-mail address will not be disclosed.
Contact will be made through a web-based form.