[Birdtalk] Common Loons and a hazardous treat

[Brian Maxfield]

Every year I notice a large number of Common Loons that stop at several 
small reservoirs in northeastern Utah.  I have wondered why and today I 
may have found a possible reason.  I stopped at Big Sand Wash Reservoir 
today because I had seen a few Common Loons the last few times I 
passed.  I was a bit amazed that I counted 102 Common Loons on this 
small reservoir (and I missed a portion of the reservoir).

I observed a couple loons near the shore and watched as they 
continuously dove and brought up crayfish.  One loon caught three 
crayfish in less than three minutes.  All the reservoirs that I see the 
large numbers of loons on in the spring have abundant crayfish.

It is tricky eating a crayfish and a bit morbid.  Everytime these two 
loons would surface with a crayfish they would grab one claw and shake.  
The claw would rip off and then it would do it with the other claw.  
Then the loon would swallow the entire clawless crayfish headfirst.

Brian