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   Memorial Day Weekend is the beginning of Summer’s “Up North” traffic, when many of us head to our cabins.  It is also a popular time for others to rent a place on their favorite lake. This brings a lot of boat traffic, fisherman, jet skis, and other recreational water sports to our lakes. That means it’s also time to remember that our federally-protected state bird, the Common Loon, and other aquatic wildlife share the lakes with us.

   On the Woman Lake Chain, we anticipate 19 nesting loon pairs. Once laid, the eggs must be incubated and protected by one adult loon at all times for the 27-29 days needed for the chicks to mature and hatch. During this time, the eggs may be exposed to a variety of dangers—bad weather, predatory animals, humans and their watercraft. Since loons only have one to two chicks per year, every egg and chick is vital to protecting the population.  

IT’S TIME TO BE LOON AWARE! 

   If you see a loon from May to July, chances are there is a nest nearby. Currently, many of the loons are now taking turns caring for the egg (s). When one adult loon is on the nest, the other is close by keep watch. 

   If you see a loon from mid-June to September, one or two chicks will likely be close by.  Loon chicks are extremely vulnerable until they are strong enough to fledge and fly south (late October through November)

   We can’t save loon eggs and chicks from natural predators, such as eagles, northern pike, turtles, but we can do our part by being Loon Aware and following important guidelines set by the Minnesota DNR to protect our loons from us!

 When you are too close and need to move away…

   1.  If you see a loon in a head-down position, they are sensing threat and may abandon the nest.

   2.  If the loons start to call or get off the nest. Move away!

   3. If you see a loon “dancing” straight up out of the water and slapping with its wings, it is alarmed by your presence.

Please remember: 

   1. Give loons their space. Please stay at least 500 feet away.  They need solitude to breed and raise their young. Approaching too closely can cause adult loons to leave the nests, causing chilling of the eggs and nest failure.

   2. Fishing boats, canoes, and kayaks my startle loons off the nest. Personal watercraft and boats pulling wakeboards, skiers and tubers may run over chicks and the adult loon. 

   3. Keep watercraft speed slow to keep wakes to a minimum near nesting sites. Nests can be washed away by wave actions from boats and jet skis. 

   4. When fishing, do not cast into the nesting loon. This could cause the loon to abandon the nest. Also, when fishing, if a loon enters the area, pull in your lines, and wait for it to pass. Or if the loon lingers, move to another location. Lures, fishing line, hooks, and especially, lead jigs and weights, can be a death sentence. 

   5. Chicks tire easily! The presence of watercraft causes chicks to keep swimming instead of feeding and resting. This can weaken them, affecting their ability to survive. 

   6. Loon parents frequently move their chicks away from the nesting environment, out into deeper water. Young chicks can’t dive, making them vulnerable to being injured or killed by watercraft. So, be aware!

   If you think such accidents don’t happen, you’re wrong. Last year, over the July 4th weekend, an adult loon with a severed wing was discovered on Girl Lake, the obvious victim of a boat propeller; its chicks were nearby, dead from head trauma. The adult was euthanized. 

    So please be Loon aware when pulling wakeboarders, water skiers and tubers.    

PLEASE KEEP YOUR DISTANCE, and SLOW DOWN and GO AROUND 

   Please contact me at [email protected] if you have any questions or see anything that would be of interest with the loons. 

   Thank you very much your corporation, Jenny Wuebker Chapman, Aquatic Wildlife Advocacy and Loon Liaison CGWLAA

   Reference: BE LOON AWARE! From the MN Department of Natural Resources.

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