Wisconsin Loons Continue to Decline

by Marnie O. Mamminga (LoonWatch monitor for Spider Chain of Lakes)

Can you imagine our beautiful Northwoods lakes devoid of the lyrical, haunting songs of the loon? Can you picture the need to travel to Canada in order to see a loon’s graceful flight or hear its beautiful music once again? 

According to the Loon Project, a scientific research group studying Minnesota and Wisconsin loons since 1993, this is a real possibility due to the fact that the loon population in Wisconsin and Minnesota continues to decline.

Alarmingly, Wisconsin’s loon population has shrunk by 22% over the past quarter century, with scientific projections suggesting the population is shrinking as much as 6% a year. Studies suggest that if this trend continues we will be hearing and seeing fewer and fewer loons in the next five to ten years on our northern Wisconsin’s lake. 

The Loon Project additionally reports, “The northern Wisconsin loon population is already producing far fewer young adults than necessary to replace breeders that do not return from the wintering grounds.” 

Many factors are contributing to this decline including:

• Very low young adult survival
  
• Lack of breeding ground
  
• Diminished water clarity 
  
• Insufficient feeding conditions and food for loon chicks
  
• Possible negative impacts from Florida ocean conditions on wintering loons. 
  
• Poisoning from lead fishing tackle 
  
• Large boat waves washing away nests or drowning chicks
  
• Fertilizer run-off from lawns into lakes

Take Action to Protect Our Loons!

Gratefully, the Sigurd Olson Environmental Institute’s LoonWatch Program, which was founded at Northland College, has reorganized through the effort of numerous volunteers and continues despite the closing of Northland College. Once again, here are LoonWatch reminders to share with friends and family visiting our lakes: 

• People living on lakes containing loons can help improve lake clarity by reducing the amount of organic and inorganic matter — especially fertilizers— from flowing into lakes from their lakefront properties.
• Eliminate lead sinkers from fishing tackle! Get the Lead Out! is a campaign in several US states and Canada aimed at educating anglers about the impact of lead fishing tackle on loons and other wildlife
• Keep at least two hundred feet away from swimming and diving loons. 
  
• Never explore a loon nest site. Close encounters can be deadly for swimming and nesting loons.
  
• Avoid exploring or camping on islands before July 15 of each year. Loons prefer islands for nesting. Disturbance can cause a loon to abandon its nest.
  
• Be an ethical angler. Never fish or cast near loon nests or swimming loons, properly dispose of extra bait and trash, and pick up monofilament line.
  
• Keep dogs away from loons and nests. 
  
• Be a responsible boater. Never chase loons or run motorboats or personal watercraft over areas where loons have been seen. Loons and loon chicks have died from being hit by boats and pro­pellers. 
  
• Practice and teach wildlife stewardship…always!
  

Let’s work together to make a difference. The future of our loon population depends on it!

Report news of any loon chicks to: marniemamminga@gmail.com