Turn your sound on for this special call! The wails and yodels of a Common Loon are often a characteristic sound of early summer. Occasionally, loons are found stranded on wet roads or parking lots after mistaking them for waterways. Loons require anywhere from 30 yards to a 1/4 mile of water to be able to take off flying. Fortunately, this loon had no injuries and was able to be released shortly after being admitted. Fun Fact: Common Loons can hold their breath underwater for up to 8 minutes! |

The iconic call of the common loon. It was nice to get this one very early in the morning before all of the background noise of traffic in the distance starts/ | Harry Collins Photography

What would you say is the eeriest sound in the animal kingdom? For those who’ve spent a misty morning on a lake in Maine, the answer is clear. The common loon is one of Maine’s most iconic animals, and since 1983, @maineaudubon has endeavored to keep track of the loon population through the annual loon count with the help of thousands of volunteers. In our newest Borealis story, we get to meet one of the families that’s been doing it for generations. See what the annual loon count is all about o