Meet Luna & Tunes | Nisswa Lake Loons | Nisswa, MN

Camp Nisswa
Jun 1
6 min read

Updated: Jun 12

Meet Luna & Tunes | Nisswa Lake Loons | Nisswa, MN

We’ve got some exciting news to share—after a couple of years of planning, research, and working closely with a local DNR specialist, the Camp Nisswa team successfully placed an official Artificial Nesting Platform (ANP) on Nisswa Lake. And this spring, for the first time, a loon pair has taken it over!

And guess what? This spring, a loon pair moved in!

Meet Luna & Tunes—the first loons to claim our nest. We couldn’t be more excited to follow along, so we’re bringing you with us. This blog will track their journey with updates, photos, fun facts, and a timeline of everything that’s happened so far.

One quick ask: if you're out on the water and happen to spot them, please give them space. Loons are sensitive during nesting season, and the goal is to keep them safe—not stressed.

Fun Fact: The loon became Minnesota’s official state bird back in 1961. Pretty fitting, right?

We’ve had a few people ask when Luna & Tunes’ egg is expected to hatch—we’re estimating around June 8th!

In the meantime, here are a few fun loon facts:

Incubation: Both Luna and Tunes take turns sitting on the nest. Loon eggs are typically laid 1–3 days apart.
Hatching Time: Eggs usually hatch in about 28 to 30 days.
Chicks: When they hatch, chicks are small, dark brown, and covered in soft downy feathers.
Early Development: Chicks can swim almost immediately and often ride on their parents’ backs for protection and warmth.
Parental Care: Both parents stay involved—feeding the chicks and keeping them safe from predators.

Luna & Tunes Timeline (Newest Updates First)

We’ll keep sharing updates as best we can—stay tuned and keep checking back as the timeline unfolds.

Thursday, June 12, 2025

Well, nature is always a mystery. Unfortunately, Luna and Tunes did not have a successful hatch this season. The nest has now been abandoned, but we remain hopeful for future nesting and the chance to one day see a little loonlet.

On Monday around 6:30 AM, we heard distress calls and then spotted Luna and Tunes out on the water. The egg was no longer visible, and there was no loonlet with them. We held onto hope, watching closely for any sign, but none came.

By Wednesday afternoon, the crushed egg washed up on shore—a quiet end to this year's attempt.

Sunday, June 1, 2025 — Luna has been holding down the fort on the nest, while Tunes keeps close by in the water, always watching over her. The pair is patiently awaiting the big moment—if all goes as expected, we could see a hatch by next weekend. The estimated hatch date is June 8, so we’ll be keeping a close eye throughout the week.

Despite the uptick in summer boat traffic, Luna and Tunes have been doing well. Shoutout to all the boaters who have been respectful and given them space—it's made a big difference.

We’re excited for the week ahead and will continue to share updates as we get closer to hatch day!

Memorial Day Weekend — Luna’s been holding down the fort, and Tunes has been sticking close. We caught a beautiful moment yesterday morning that looked like Tunes was dropping off a little breakfast for Luna—true lakeside love.

All weekend, Tunes has been cruising around the middle of the lake while Luna took a few early morning swims off the nest. The estimated hatch date for their baby loon is June 8th, and we’re already tossing around name ideas… but we’d love to hear your suggestions too!

Friday, May 23, 2025 — It was a peaceful start to the day around 6:00 AM—Luna was spotted relaxing in her nest, and we managed to snap a serene photo of her reflection on the glass-calm water.

By late afternoon, around 4:00 PM, Luna was out for a swim and still tending to her one egg. We caught her on the hunt for dinner and captured a few action shots as she moved through the water.

As we head into a busy weekend on the lakes, we want to remind everyone to be mindful of all loons—this is a critical time during their nesting season. All of our photos are taken using a 70–200mm telephoto lens so we can keep a respectful distance. We love sharing these moments so you don’t have to get close to see them up close.

7:00 PM, Wednesday, May 21, 2025 — Luna’s toughed out a few windy, rainy days lately—but this evening brought a break in the weather. The sun made an appearance, the air warmed up a bit, and the winds finally calmed down. Luna was spotted cozy in the nest, keeping her egg safe and sound.

Tunes made an appearance mid-afternoon, so he’s definitely been around. Around 7:00 PM, Luna was calling out—we think we saw Tunes off in the distance, but no calls came back. Holding down the fort, as always.

5:00 PM, Monday, May 19, 2025 — Luna’s been battling strong 15+ mph winds all day but is holding tight on the nest. As we head into the evening, gusty winds will stick around with a chance of rain showers. No visual on Tunes today, but we did hear his calls echoing across the lake around 10 AM—so we know he’s nearby, keeping watch.

4:00 PM, Sunday, May 18, 2025 — Luna is still holding tight on the nest, standing strong and doing her thing. Tunes was spotted off in the distance, keeping watch like a good partner. We still believe there’s just one egg in the nest, and we’ll keep an eye out for any changes.

3:30 PM, Saturday, May 17, 2025 — It’s a cloudy, breezy, and misty day on Nisswa Lake. Luna is holding steady on the nest, keeping her egg safe as temps are expected to drop to 38 degrees tonight. We haven’t seen Tunes today, but we did hear some loon calls around 12:30 PM—so he might not be too far off.

5:00 PM, Thursday, May 15, 2025 — Luna weathered the storm like a champ. She held strong through wind, rain, and even a little hail—all while protecting her egg on the nest. We’re happy to report she’s safe and sound. And Tunes? He wasn’t far off, keeping an eye on things.

7:45 AM, Wednesday, May 14, 2025 — Luna is settled in the nest this again this morning.

8:00 AM, Tuesday, May 13, 2025 — Luna is settled in the nest this morning. It’s unclear if a second egg has been laid yet, but she’s holding tight. (Image source: Phone)
4:00 PM, Monday, May 12, 2025 — Luna is nesting in the nest

5:30 PM, Sunday, May 11, 2025 — First egg sighting! (Image source: DSLR)

5:00 PM, Saturday, May 10, 2025 — Nesting on the Camp Nisswa's Artificial Nesting Platform (ANP) (Image source: DSLR)

Afternoon of Saturday, May 10, 2025 — Seen near the nest doing the “loon dance” — a synchronized swimming move loons do during courtship (and yes, it’s just as cool as it sounds) (Image source: DSLR)
Morning of Saturday, May 10, 2025 — Spotted scouting Nisswa Lake

We’ll keep updating this as things progress. Just a heads-up—all our photos are taken with a telephoto lens or from a phone at a safe distance. Please don’t zoom in on the loons with boats—let’s give them their space!

How to Keep Loons Safe on the Lake

Loons need a little peace and quiet to raise their young. Here are some quick safety tips, with more info from the National Loon Center and MN DNR:

1. Give ‘Em Space

Stay 150–200 feet away from loons and nests
If a loon starts moving away or calling out (tremolo), you’re too close
Obey no-wake zones and slow down near shorelines

2. Respect Nesting Season

Loons typically nest May through early July
If a loon leaves the nest—back off, they’ll return once they feel safe
Loon chicks can’t dive yet—extra caution goes a long way
Keep an eye out for float lines and signs—info via Loon Preservation Committee

3. Fish the Right Way

Use non-lead tackle—lead poisoning is a big issue for loons
Avoid casting near loons and reel in carefully
Recycle old fishing line—don’t leave it behind

4. Be a Good Lake Neighbor

Never feed loons
Slow down and stay alert if you see loons or chicks in the water
Loon In Distress?
- If you see a loon in trouble (tangled, on land, or acting odd), report it to the pros at the Minnesota Wildlife Professionals

Want to Learn More?

We’ll be keeping this updated as best we can. Luna & Tunes are officially part of Camp Nisswa now—and we’re rooting for a successful hatch this summer. Luna & Tunes Photo Gallery 2025

Disclaimer: These photos are shared with permission for use by Camp Nisswa. At the photographer's request, we've added a watermark. If you're interested in a specific image, let us know—we’d be happy to connect you with the photographer.