Fall brings change to the Loon's striking plumage. By October you will see the white mustache starting, signaling the beginning of their molt. Soon they will leave for the Ocean for the winter if they haven't gone yet. Migration starts in August for unmated birds and one's whose nest or offspring have failed. This is followed by birds who have had young. Interestingly enough, after the young have achieved flight, they are left by their parents, and must find the way to the ocean themselves when their strong enough to make the trip. Flocks of young birds will soon be gathering and must be able to leave the lakes before they are frozen over.
Nature in it's wisdom allows for the rest of the molting to occur on the ocean which is a time the Loon does not need flight. His beautiful plumage will become grey for the winter until spring when another molt will bring the colors we normally associate with the Loon. Young will not be able to breed for an average of 4 years and will not gain breeding plumage until that time.