Description
Summary:Animalia Craniata Aves Gaviiformes Gaviidae Gavia Compressed from .wav format into .mp3 delivery format ambient recording Field notes: The last of the winters' ice was melting in one corner of the lake. A pair of Pacific Loons had been silent for hours, huddled at the far end of the pond and occasionally fish diving. Suddenly a new male loon arrived on the pond. Not yet paired, he was traveling from pond to pond in hopes of usurping a rival. A vocal calling battle soon deteriorated into submarine combat as the resident male dove and came up under the intruder, stabbing with his sharp bill. Listen for the pained pop call. Surface and underwater combat continued. When on the surface, each male continually dipped his face into the water to scan the underwater front, fearing a submarine attack. Finally both males took off in low flight across the pond. The intruder continued off to the next pond 1/4 mile away and the resident male landed on the other end of the pond, now separated from his mate. Male and female then swam back to reunite at pond's center, the FEMALE now calling with a mournful whine until the pair was again together. Once again, nothing is heard but the signature background sound of coastal tundra, non-stop Lapland Longspur display song. Habitat: Coastal Tundra with small puddles/ponds; Elevation: 49 Feet; Season: Spring; Local Time: 07:10