** Reply to note from Mary Schlarbaum -


> I'm so glad I found you guys!!!! I need some information on loons. I live
> outside Chehalis, Washington. We found a loon in the middle of the road.
> To my surprise, it was alive!!! Apparently it was only stunned (even after
> I saw another car go over it and flip it in the air!). I caged the bird,
> gave it water and left it alone except for getting some photos. We released
> it yesterday morning. It took a long bath, swimming with one of our rouen
> ducks. I left it alone, and checked back in a few hours. It had flown
> away. I have no idea which variety? Version? species? it was, but I do have
> photos (I have a scanner) if any one could identify it for me. Are these
> birds common for this area? Thanks in advance for any help.

This is actually quite a common occurrence, Mary, usually under two types of weather regimes:

1) Freezing rain forces the birds down onto road surfaces; not a common weather event in the
Pacific Northwest, although much more common east of the Cascades in the winter.

2) Shallow morning fog under some early morning light circumstances can look like lake water to
a flying bird; the bird (usually a loon or grebe) tries to set down on the "water" and finds
itself stranded on the road. Loons are unable to fly from land so they are doomed unless given a
helping hand. Common scenario, especially in the fall.

My guess is that it was a young Common Loon which seem to be prone to this type of stranding.


- Jack


--------------
Jack Bowling
Prince George, BC
jbowling at direct.ca

cc: mary at localaccess.com