These are special lakes, providing a habitat for migrating waterfowl, including the mysterious common loon with its deep red eye, black head, black-and-white patterned neck and back, and white ...

Except when in flight, loons leave the water only to mate or incubate eggs in their nests. A loon found on land for any other reason is like a fish out of water and is probably sick or injured ...

Having a loon come to the valley is highly unusual, he said. “Some species appear to be able to tolerate humans or hang out around human environments, and some cannot,” Price said.