Rainy June a setback for many of Minnesota's birds

Fly-covered loon
A loon on Muskellunge Lake in Tomahawk, Wis., covered with black flies on May 23, 2014. Researchers estimate 70 percent of loons in north-central Wisconsin have abandoned their nests because of swarms of black flies. Similar abandonments are occurring in Minnesota.
Photo courtesy of Linda Grenzer

Last month's heavy rains raised water levels in Minnesota's lakes and rivers to record levels -- and this has been a setback for many birds.

Many birds are now in their second round of nesting because they got flooded out in their first attempt, according to Carrol Henderson of the state's Department of Natural Resources.

The second clutch of eggs are generally smaller and the young birds in this group have less time to get ready for migration.

The cold, wet spring also enhanced the numbers of black flies. Their bites are so painful and there are so many of them that loons are being driven from their nests, abandoning their eggs.

But it's not all bad news. More water means more places for some birds, such as herons and egrets, to get food. As water levels go down, there will be even better foraging areas for these birds, so you'll see these birds in spots you don't normally see them.

More: Explosion of black flies forces loons to abandon nests

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