A program of the

Erica LeMoineLoonWatch Coordinator

Email: loonwatch@northland.eduwww.northland.edu/loonwatch

LoonWatch MissionLoonWatch Mission

Engage, educate and connect students and  citizens with resource professionals.

Annual Lakes Monitoring Program

Wisconsin Loon Population Survey

Sigurd T. Olson Loon Research Award

Get the Lead Out!

Speakers’ Bureau

Loon Appreciation Week

Work Study and Interns

NewsletterAdvisory Council

Training Workshops

Website

Events

Email and Phone Public Questions

Educational Materials

Common Loon

Ginger Gumm

Hank Krizman

Pacific LoonYellow-Billed Loon

Red-Throated Loon

E. Potapov - VIREO

T. Vezo - VIREO

Arctic Loon

PublicDomainImages.net

Breeding Range

Winter Range

Map: WILDSPACETM 2006. WILDSPACETM : digital hemispheric range maps for the breeding birds of Canada. Canadian Wildlife Service, Ontario Region, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

Common Loon Range and Migration in North America

Common Loon Range and Migration in North America

Al Schoegler

Spring Migration Stopover Lakes

Gregory Nelson

Yodel

Wail

Ginger Gumm / Daniel Poleschook

Ann Hendrickson

Tremolo

Ginger Gumm / Daniel Poleschook Jr.

In Flight Tremolo

David RipponLoon Calls courtesy of Jay Meger

Hoot

Nesting Habitat

Nesting Habitat

Linda Grenzer

Nesting Habitat

Sandy Gillum

Artificial Nesting Platforms

Loon Eggs

Nesting Behavior

Defensive Postures

Defensive Postures

Chick Rearing

2‐week‐old Chick

Loon ID

6‐week‐old Chick

Loon ID

12‐week‐old Chick

Loon ID

Adult—Breeding Plumage

Loon ID

Threats

• Loss of Habitat

Current Range

Historical Southern Limit

Past and Present Common Loon

BreedingRange in

North America

McIntyre 1988

Threats

• Loss of Habitat• Poor Water Quality

Wisconsin Loons More Likely Found on Lakes with Good Water Clarity

0

0.1

0.2

0.3

0.4

0.5

0.6

0.7

0.8

<5' 5-9.9' 10-19.9' >20'

Meyer, M. 2005. Final Report: Evaluating the Impact of Multiple Stressors on Common Loon Population Demographics - An Integrated Laboratory and Field Approach. EPA Grant Number: R829085

Threats

• Loss of Habitat• Poor Water Quality• Toxins

• Approximately 20% of loons succumbed to lead poisoning

• X-ray shows lead tackle in a loon’s stomach

Lead Fishing Tackle

vceenviroscience.edublogs.org

How Do Loons Ingest Mercury?Mercury

Threats

• Loss of Habitat• Poor Water Quality• Toxins• Human Disturbance

What Can Be Done to Protect Loons?• Restore Your Shoreland to Native Plants

This is good habitat.

Geez, I think I stepped in something

Which is the exotic !

Restore Your Shoreland 

What Can Be Done to Protect Loons?• Restore Your Shoreland to Native Plants• Build a Rain Garden and Utilize Rain Barrels

Build a Rain Garden and Utilize Rain Barrels

Before

After

Project Location:River Falls, WI

What Can Be Done to Protect Loons?• Restore Your Shoreland to Native Plants• Build a Rain Garden and Utilize Rain Barrels

• Get the Lead Out!

Get the Lead Out!Replace your tackle with lead-free tackle

What Can Be Done to Protect Loons?• Restore Your Shoreland to Native Plants• Build a Rain Garden and Utilize Rain Barrels

• Get the Lead Out!• Reduce Your Energy Consumption 

Reduce Your Energy Consumption • Walk or bike to work, store, errands

• Carpool• Use public transportation

• Drive the posted speed limit

• Make sure your tires are properly inflated

• Purchase locally produced products

What Can Be Done to Protect Loons?• Restore Your Shoreland to Native Plants• Build a Rain Garden and Utilize Rain Barrels

• Get the Lead Out!• Reduce Your Energy Consumption • Educate Your Fellow Lake Users

Educate Your Fellow Lake Users

What Can Be Done to Protect Loons?• Restore Your Shoreland to Native Plants• Build a Rain Garden and Utilize Rain Barrels

• Get the Lead Out!• Reduce Your Energy Consumption • Educate Your Fellow Lake Users• Contact your Local Legislators

Contact Your Local Legislators

What Can Be Done to Protect Loons?• Restore Your Shoreland to Native Plants• Build a Rain Garden and Utilize Rain Barrels• Get the Lead Out!• Reduce Your Energy Consumption • Educate Your Fellow Lake Users• Contact Your Local Legislators • Support LoonWatch

SUPPORT LOONWATCHLoonWatch Protects Common Loons And Their Aquatic Habitats Through Education, Monitoring, And Research.

Gifts can be made through our website: www.northland.edu/loonwatch

or ask for a gift envelope.