The Lake Journal

A Guide to Loon Watching on Maranacook Lake

The bird the cove is named for — how to spot one, what its calls mean, and why Maine takes loon conservation seriously.

Common loons are one of Maine's defining lake sounds, and Maranacook Lake has a resident population that guests hear most mornings and evenings. They're easy to recognize once you know what to look for: a heavy-bodied diving bird, checkerboard black-and-white back, a black head, and a distinctive red eye — an adaptation that helps them see underwater while diving for fish.

What the calls mean

Loons make four distinct calls, and each one means something different:

• The wail — a long, mournful, rising call, often used to locate a mate or other loons across the lake. This is the sound most people associate with "loon calls."
• The tremolo — a wavering, almost laughing call, often given when a loon feels threatened or is signaling alarm, including in response to boats or people getting close.
• The yodel — given only by males, a longer and more complex call used to defend territory. Each male's yodel is distinct enough that researchers can identify individual birds by it.
• The hoot — a short, soft call used between family members at close range, including between parents and chicks.

Best times to see them

Early morning, when the lake is calm and boat traffic is minimal, is the most reliable window — loons are actively fishing and often visible from the dock without needing a kayak. Evenings, as the light goes gold and the water stills again, are the second-best window, and calls tend to carry especially well right at dusk.

Loons nest close to the shoreline, generally on small islands or protected coves, so respecting distance from any nest site matters — both for the birds and because getting too close can trigger the tremolo alarm call and cause them to abandon a nest.

Why they need looking after

Maine's loon population has recovered significantly since the mid-20th century, but the birds remain sensitive to lead fishing tackle (a leading cause of loon mortality when ingested), shoreline development, and boat wake disturbing nests. Maine Audubon runs long-term loon monitoring and an annual citizen-science loon count each summer — a good resource if you want to go deeper than a weekend of listening for calls.