Loons Keep Coming Back To This Man-Made Minnesota Nest 20 Years Later

WHO IS LARRY BACKLUND?

Do you remember Larry Backlund? You may not remember him by name, but if you love watching loons you might remember him from the loon cam.

Larry said he didn't have a clue what he was doing when he built the nest many years ago, but loons were kind enough to actually come and use it, and it started a craze for loons lovers everywhere.

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MINNESOTA BOUND LIVE LOON CAM

The 'Minnesota Bound Live Loon Cam' was something that started after Larry built the nesting platform for loons approximately 20 years ago. The loon cam captured the hearts of loon lovers everywhere, especially here in Minnesota.

The loon cam went away in 2019, but Larry told KARE11 that the loons have used the platform that he built, almost every year since he created it, and he can think of only two years where they didn't.

LOON RESEARCHERS REJOICE

"Everybody saw things that we had never seen before. We learned so much and loon researchers were watching it. It was a pretty special thing," said Larry.

This year, Larry has spotted two eggs on his artificial nest, which he has not disclosed the location of. "Unfortunately, it looks like in the last few days, they may have abandoned the nest," said Larry. He stated that he had not seen the pair for days at the time of the interview.

DID THE LOONS ABANDON THE NEST THIS YEAR?

Larry also stated that the pair nested later this year than he has seen in the past 20 years. He's trying to figure out what made that difference this year, and why the loons may have abandoned the nest.

Larry said he didn't have a clue what he was doing when he built the nest, but the loons were kind enough to actually come and use his homemade nest.

You can see the loon nest, the unique black loon eggs and hear his unique story in the video below.

KARE11/YouTube