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World’s oldest loons again return to Seney

From Damon McCormick of Common Coast Research & Conservation:

The two oldest documented common loons, known as ABJ and Fe (“Fay”), have just separately returned from oceanic wintering grounds to their long-term breeding territory on the refuge, F Pool. Because the ABJ was banded as a Seney chick in 1987, his age is known precisely: He will turn 34 this June. In contrast, his partner Fe was first color-marked in 1990 as a successful Seney mother; because the youngest age of verified common loon reproduction is four, Fe will be turning at least 35 this season. While other banded adults on the refuge and elsewhere have reached their late twenties - the B Pool male known as Killer will turn 28 this summer - it remains rather remarkable that among thousands of color-marked loons across northern North America, the oldest two are not only paired together, but have been so for a record 25 consecutive years.

Despite the pair’s fidelity, common loons do not mate for life, and in the coming weeks ABJ and Fe will again navigate territorial intrusions by single males and females in search of their own breeding turf and mate. If these challenges are successfully repelled, they will settle in for slightly under one month of incubation of one or two eggs. Any chicks that ultimately emerge - most likely in late May or early June - will extend the pair’s record for lifetime productivity, 32 hatched offspring. Visitors to the refuge can observe ABJ and Fe on the first body of water along the Marshland Auto Drive, F Pool.

The ABJ was first spotted and identified two days ago by Jim and Jody Patton, who for nearly two decades have volunteered at Seney in a multitude of capacities, including undertaking the refuge’s waterbird surveying. Fe was confirmed yesterday by photographers Laura Wong and Larry McGahey, who have been invaluable supporters and facilitators of Common Coast’s work at Seney. Thanks to all four for being the bearers of this good news.

PHOTO: The ABJ, freshly returned to Seney’s F Pool on April 8th, displays the faded red and green plastic colorbands that were affixed during nighttime capture in 1996. Photo by Laura Wong. ... See MoreSee Less

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