The common loon gets its name from a Norwegian word that means “wild, sad cry.” Approximately 12,000 loons make their homes in Minnesota. Loons are large black-and-white birds with long black bills. Clumsy on land, they are excellent divers, underwater swimmers, and high-speed flyers. This is just one of the many cool birds Kids that go to Summer Camp in Minnesota see. Below are just a few of the things children will learn about loons at a Minnesota Summer Camps.
The loon dance: When disturbed the loon folds its wings against its body and swims upright in what is called a penguin dance. With its wings tucked against its body a loon looks kind of like a penguin. This dance is done when the loon is trying to scare enemies away from its chicks. “Dancing” like this takes a lot of energy so it’s important that you keep your distance from loons. If you get too close to an adult loon and its chicks or nest , the loon will think you’re its enemy and start the penguin dance . If you don’t leave the area, the loon can dance until it’s exhausted and dies. The loon has another dance that it does when it wants to chase away other birds. It splashes the water with its wings and kicks its feet so quickly that it is actually walking on water.
Running on Water: Because the loon’s legs are so far back on its body, and because the loon’s body is so long, loons have trouble taking off into flight. Have you ever seen a loon “running” across a lake? A loon has to run across the water for up to a mile beating its wings in order to get enough moving air lift to take off. This need for a long runway means that loons need a a certain minimum size lake in order to take off. You’ll rarely find a loon on lakes under 9 or 10 square acres in area.
Loonlore: There are many Native American stories about loons. The Ojibwa (Chippewa) Indians called the loon “Mang ” or ” the most handsome of birds”. They thought that the loon’s haunting cry was an omen of death. In some native legends the loon is a bird of magical powers, in others the loon is a messenger or a symbol of power. You can read some of these Native American stories in ‘The Loon Book” by Tom Hollatz. Your public library should have a copy.
Loon Watch: In 1978, the Sigurd Olson Environmental Institute in Ashland, Wisconsin started a loon conservation program. In 1988 that program was combined with one in Minnesota and given the name Loon Watch. This program trains volunteers to help protect loons and their habitats, track loon populations, and educate the public about loons. The program also sponsors loon-related research and education.
Each July hundreds of Loon Watch volunteers will get up before the sun to go count loons on more than 250 lakes. Much of this information is from the Wisconsin Department or Natural Resources.
If you are considering a Summer Camp in Min be sure to visit Swift Nature Camp.
Swift Nature Camp is an Kids Summer Camp in Mn Overnight Summer Camp in Mn, for boys and girls 6-15. Swift is a traditional summer camp with loads of activities plus many see it as a Environmental Camp.
Posted in 
Tags: 
