3 minute read
The Loons! Here's The Lowdown
Keri Schlecht
Keri Schlecht is a freelance writer and editor in Madison.
If you’ve spent any time on the shores of Wisconsin’s lakes, chances are you recognize the ghostly call of the common loon. But aside from their sunset songs, how much do you really know about this aquatic migratory bird?
The common loon (Gavia immer) spends most of its life on the water, nesting on nearby shorelines. Loons prefer sheltered banks to make their nests and raise young, often returning year after year to the same site.
Wisconsin boasts an estimated summer loon population of nearly 4,000 adults, most of which reside in the northern half of the state. The loon has largely patterned black and white plumage during the summer months. In winter, they go gray and migrate from our freshwater lakes primarily to southern coastlines.
A unique adaptation gives loons access to vast marine wintering grounds — a special gland above the eyes allows the bird to filter and flush salty water through the nasal passages. In summer, loons take up residence on lakes with crystal clear water to aid in spotting food, primarily perch and sunfish.
Loons are excellent anglers uniquely suited for the water. Their legs are situated far back on long bodies, allowing them to glide easily under the surface. This leg positioning also lets the bird thrust its body with great speed and agility when fishing.
Loons are expert divers with spear-shaped bills for jabbing prey. Their red eyes have been thought to allow for better depth perception underwater, though loons only retain this characteristic crimson color throughout the summer.
LOOKING OUT FOR LOONS
Overall, populations of common loons are stable, but many areas are seeing numbers decrease for myriad reasons.
• Lakefront development results in the loss of habitat along the shoreline.
• Water quality issues can impact loons’ ability to secure food and feed their young.
• Lake disturbances from recreational activities can wash away nests and eggs, further impacting populations.
So, what can Wisconsinites do to help? Get involved in local volunteer efforts!
One important program is LoonWatch from Northland College in Ashland — northland.edu/centers/soei/loonwatch.
Activities include educating “Loon Rangers” on how to monitor and maintain healthy loon habitats throughout Wisconsin. LoonWatch’s Annual Lakes Monitoring Program organizes volunteers to collect data that can detect population fluctuations and inform statewide strategies to mitigate loss.
Many Wisconsin lakes have their own informal loon watch committees dedicated to education and monitoring. For example, the Fence Lake Association in Vilas County has a Loon Committee to coordinate volunteer efforts —friendsoffencelake.org/the-loon-committee.
Recently, Fence Lake initiated efforts at its boat landing to collect discarded fishing line and lead weights. Birds can get tangled in the line, while lead weights can be ingested by fish that are then eaten by loons and eagles, causing lead poisoning for these birds.
Another effort, the nonprofit Loon Project, works to gather data on loon populations and breeding ecology in Wisconsin and Minnesota to aid conservation efforts — loonproject.org.
