For those of you in the Boise area who have been keeping track of the Common Loon on the pond west of Glenwood and north of the river, there’s some good news. I know some folks have been concerned that the pond is not big enough for the Loon to take off, and others have been concerned that the Loon was injured. (My personal theory has been that they stock that pond on a regular basis.)

Well yesterday, my wife, Susan, was observing our feathered friend when he headed west, flapping madly, elevated off the water, rose up to avoid some swimming DC Cormorants, traveled to the west end of the pond, banked hard left and did a 180 and landed. That’s the first time either of us have seen him/her fly more than a few yards. Then, today, Susan saw the Loon do a takeoff across the pond, north to south, and land back down safely.

I’m not sure if the bird is rehabbing from an injury or just getting ready to depart, but I think the idea that the pond is too small may not hold water. 😉

Tom McCabe, Boise