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Loons

loon Committee Responsibilities

Duties of the Loon Committee include:

1. Loon Restoration Project. Recruit, and oversee volunteer to interface with Loon Restoration Project from MN DNR. Assist with project activities. WLBCR interface person is Dale Myer.

2. Loon Watcher Program. Recruit, train, oversee volunteers to perform annual MN Loon Watcher Survey and count of loons for the MN DNR. Analyze data for trends and recommend needed actions or remediations. Volunteers survey their lake at least once a month from May through August, noting nesting locations on a lake map provided by the DNR and recording the number of adult and juvenile loons observed. Counts are entered on a form that is returned to the DNR Loon Watcher Coordinator by December 1st. Update web pages with new counts. See: https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/eco/nongame/projects/loon_survey.html for more info. Loon Watchers are:

a. Little Boy – Dale Lempke

b. Wabedo – Randy Card and Kristy Elliot

3. Loon platforms. Recruit volunteers to coordinate the install/removal of loon platforms and building/repairing the platforms. Installation needs to be shortly after ice-out and removal is in the fall. We currently install two platforms on Little Boy, one near the public landing and one in the southwest part of the lake.

a. Install/removal – Dale Lempke

b. Building/repairing – Bob Krahn and Dale Myer

Loon Counts

We participate in a statewide DNR program to monitor and survey loons and report on the counts of adults and chicks. We watch for nesting loons in May and June. The survey count is taken the first week of July. In August and September, larger "groups" of loons are observed. The adults migrate in early September. Young loons stay at the northern lakes almost until freeze-up. They need to strengthen before heading south.

Loon counts can vary wildly from year to year. Our loon observers diligently watch for and count both adult and back chicks. The chart depicts the variation from year to year, but also the long-term trend in the counts. Both Little Boy and Wabedo adult loon counts are trending slightly downward. However, the number of baby chicks in each lake is trending slightly upward.

Wabedo

monitored by Randy Card and Kristi Elliot

Little Boy Lake

monitored by Dale Lempke

This data is from pairs that had nests. Wabedo usually has 5-6 pairs of loon occupancy. They stay and guard their own territory even if they are unable to nest or have their nest (eggs) fail.

Rice

monitored by Otto/Ann Geisbauer

2009 - 2 adults, 1 chick

2008 - 2 adults, 0 chicks

2007 - 2 adults, 2 chicks

2006 - 2 adults, 0 chicks

2005 - 2 adults, 1 chick

Cooper

monitored by Russ Link (Camp Olson)

2008 - 2 adults, 0 chicks

2006 - 3 adults, 2 chicks

Loon Restoration Project

As part of a larger restoration plan, the Restoration of Common Loons in Minnesota project was funded $7.52 million to reduce mortality and increase the number of young loons produced in Minnesota. The plan includes Clearwater, Beltrami, Itasca, Becker, Hubbard, Cass, Crow Wing and Atkin counties, and is focused on the following objectives.

Acquire Loon Habitat Because lakeshore habitat is a crucial part in the life cycle of loons, permanently protecting natural lakeshores will provide quality habitat ensuring loons successfully breeding, nest, forage, and rear young in Minnesota.

Artificial Nesting Platforms (ANPs) Augmenting natural habitat can sometimes be necessary for loon success. ANPs can increase loon productivity when

1) water levels fluctuate during nesting season,

2) significant and recurring predation is occurring, and

3) loons are present but protecting or enhancing natural nesting habitat is limited.

Loon-Friendly Lake Registry A voluntary program that allows communities to make an individual lake Loon Friendly. Enrolling in the program includes working with the MN DNR for implementation.

Loon Watcher Program Volunteers who live on or regularly visit lakes with loons are asked to observe loons at least once per month (May through August) and report their findings at the end of the breeding season.

Because Wabedo and Little Boy lakes are considered “Loon Friendly” lakes, we’ve taken an active role in helping identify critical habitat eligible for the DNR Loon Restoration Land Conservation program. We’re also contacting landowners in an effort to educate them about the importance of their land. If you are interested in applying for the DNR Loon Restoration Land Conservation program, visit Northern Waters Land Trust to read more and fill out a Landowner Application. www.northernwaterslandtrust.org/mn-dnr-loon-restoration-project/

Read the complete details on the MN DNR website: www.dnr.state.mn.us/eco/nongame/minnesota-loon-restorationproject.html

See the Loon Presentation from the 2022 Annual Meeting

Identified Critical Habitat

Loons Pictures

This picture shows a platform near Randy Helland and Cindy Gackle's property on Little Boy Lake. This platform (also made by Al RItchie and installed by Al and Randy) has been in the water for a number of years. There is a large eagle nest almost directly overhead which accounts for the lack of success this loon pair has had. You can see the eagles are on the loon platform and the loons are in the water nearby.

(photo by Al Ritchie)

This picture shows a new loon platform that was installed near the public access on Little Boy Lake. The loons apparently liked it right away and are using it this first year. Many thanks to Al Ritchie for making the platform and to Ron Stokesbary for placing it on top of the ice in January.

(photo by Brent Stokesbary)

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