Not happy with the weather? My grandfather used to tell me in the springtime to wait five minutes. It seems absurd to think that the weather can be that different in a matter of minutes, but in just a matter of a few hours, Southern Minnesota will go from temps in the 40s to reaching near 80 degrees tomorrow. The cold, wet conditions are great for your lawns, but they aren't so great for the state bird, the loon. In fact, some places across the Northland are actively letting people know to be on the lookout for grounded loons, as, once they become grounded it can quite difficult if not impossible for them to get airborne again.

One social media post yesterday is calling for folks over in Wisconsin to be on the lookout for any fallen or grounded loons after ice, hail, and some snow fell recently. Many times when there is a mix of weather like that, loons, who have short wings and solid bone structure often cannot continue flying due to possible ice build-up on their wings, or confusion that the roads and parking lot look like lakes in the rain.

The Raptor Education Group posted about what people should do if they happen upon a grounded loon in the road, parking lots, or farm fields.

The birds right now are in the process of migrating to where they will mate and spend the summer before heading towards warmer climate during the winter months.

So what should you do if you come across a grounded loon this time of year? Well, use caution if you think the bird is indeed in distress as they have a pretty intense and sharp beak. Leather gloves wouldn't be a bad idea, and then the Raptor Education Group writes you can "throw a blanket, jacket or towel over the loon" and move it to a safe place, and call your location animal control or raptor center to pick up and assess the animal.

KEEP READING: 10 Animals in Minnesota That Can Predict the Weather

 

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