The Vermont Loon Recovery Project

The call of the common loon is haunting and mysterious, almost a cry from the past.

Loons themselves look like something from the past. Biologists believe the common loon evolved from primitive gull-like birds more than 50 million years ago and have remained unchanged for millennia.

Their numbers in Vermont, however, have changed dramatically during the past century. Nearly hunted out of existence, there were only eight breeding pairs in the entire state in 1983 and 1984, leading to the loon’s designation as an endangered species in our state.

In response to this situation, the Vermont Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Vermont Institute of Natural Science began the Vermont Loon Recovery Project. Dedicated volunteers and biologists have worked hard to increase the number of nesting loons in Vermont. They have placed nesting platforms to improve a breeding pairs’ nesting success, worked to change water level management, and monitored the lakes and ponds that are home to loons in Vermont.

Their work is paying off. Of the 38 pairs that attempted to nest in 2000, 36 pairs hatched 55 eggs, with 45 chicks surviving through August. Although their numbers are increasing in Vermont, there are not enough loons for biologists to consider their population secure.

The third Saturday of July brings the annual Vermont Loon Watch. More than 200 volunteers will survey lakes and ponds throughout the state during one specific hour on that day to get a firm estimate of Vermont’s common loon population.

In addition, there are several simple things we all can do to help Vermont’s loons:

• Pick up discarded fishing line, and switch to non-lead fishing gear. Spent fishing line and lead (which poisons waterfowl) account for more than half of all known loon mortality.
• If you see a floating sign warning of a loon nesting area, steer your boat or jet ski clear.
• If you are boating and see an adult loon, slow down. Adult loons can dive underwater to avoid your boat, but loon chicks cannot dive deeply enough nor swim quickly enough to avoid getting hit.
• Finally, please support loon recovery efforts by donating to the Nongame Wildlife Fund.

You can learn more about loons and the Nongame Wildlife Fund by contact the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department, (802) 241-3700, 103 South Main Street, Waterbury, 05671.

Article posted for the week of July 16, 2001.