A Loon on Land

I was driving home after picking up my granddaughter up at pre-school and was surprised to find this loon sitting at the side of the road. My first thought was that it might be injured, but as I watched, he/she half ran/half flew (as loons will do when not in water) across the road. Didn't seem to have any injuries, so I suspected it may have gotten tired and decided to rest. Just after it ran, it let out a call and I'm sure I heard another loon in the distance respond. First two shots were taken with my cell phone and are pretty heavily cropped.

first position, on shoulder of main road.

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/GMTN​LQ

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/FUGS​zr

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/GJ1R​sM

They can't fly from land. That loon will die if it isn't taken to water. I'd call your state wildlife agency, or google a wildlife rehabilitation facility in your area. If you're brave enough you can catch it, but please be aware they can seriously injure you with that bill. They hunt fish with that dagger.

AARK wildlife rehab near Allentown 215-249-1938

http://www.aark.org/

I thought that same thing. When I went back about 1/2 hour later, it was gone. I checked most of the surrounding area, but no sign. Either someone else already picked it up, or it made its way to one of the several detention ponds in the area.

Ok. Hopefully someone got it to water or a rehabber. It not unusual for them to get injured when they land on pavement like that.