Vermont's Loon Numbers are Up But People Can Help Survival Success

WATERBURY, VT  Its a wildlife restoration success story few biologists envisioned occurring so quickly. The common loon, placed on Vermont's state Threatened and Endangered Species List in 1987, has responded well to restoration efforts by wildlife scientists with the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department and Vermont Institute of Natural Science. Loon numbers increased to a level that allowed their removal from the Threatened and Endangered Species List in 2005.

The summer of 2006, however, had its ups and downs for Vermont's common loons.

On the upside, there were a record 58 nesting attempts statewide, and volunteers counted 200 adult loons during the annual Loonwatch survey of 132 lakes and ponds in mid-July. This also was a new record and considerably higher than the 29 adults counted during the first Loonwatch survey in 1983.

On the downside, 14 loon pairs had failed nests, including five that were flooded during the wet spring. In 2005 there were only six failed nests.

Fortunately, the rains started before most loon pairs had nested, explained Eric Hanson coordinator of the Vermont Loon Recovery Project. The early high water forced many loon pairs to build nests on higher ground. Plus, about 40 percent of Vermont's loons used floating nesting platforms, so they were not affected by flooding.

Some of Vermont's loons were not so fortunate, however, when it came to fishing tackle. Two loons died after taking live bait or lures and getting tangled in fishing line. A third loon died after ingesting lead sinkers.

Fishing gear is a serious threat to loons, said Wildlife Biologist Steve Parren, with the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department. Its a problem for the adults and the chicks. When a breeding loon gets caught in fishing line, the chicks often do not survive because of less parental care and attacks by intruder loons looking to move into an existing territory.

More loons on Vermont's lakes mean more encounters with anglers, explained Parren. A minnow on a hook is easy but deadly food for loons. At least ten loons have been caught in fishing gear in the past two years. That's why we urge anglers to reel in when loons are diving nearby.

A ban on the sale of lead sinkers ½ ounce or less became effective in 2006 to protect loons and other wildlife from lead poisoning. Using the lead sinkers ½ ounce or less will be illegal beginning January 1, 2007.

The common loon was placed on Vermont's Endangered and Threatened Species List in 1987. The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department and the Vermont Institute of Natural Science worked together on the Vermont Loon Recovery Project (VLRP) to help restore loons to Vermont's lakes and ponds. In April 2005, the common loon was removed from the state's Endangered and Threatened Species List.

The VLRP oversees all loon management and education programs. Contributions to Fish & Wildlife's Nongame Wildlife Fund, through direct donations or the purchase of a Conservation License Plate, help support this program. The Vermont Institute of Natural Science is a nationwide membership-based organization dedicated to protecting our natural heritage through education and research.