See a loon in distress? Please call our Loon Hotline: (207) 925-8020
Loons’ iconic calls and striking appearance make them a favorite among our watershed’s wildlife. The behaviors of these fiercely territorial birds help us to feel connected to Maine’s wilderness and indicate environmental and human stressors that threaten the health of our watershed.
Kezar Lake is home to a dozen territorial pairs, and loons also nest on Horseshoe, Heald, Trout, and Cushman ponds. These pairs are joined by an ever-changing number of “floaters”– loons that have not yet established a nesting territory. Recently, two of these floaters were identified as Kezar chicks returning after spending three years on the ocean. This and many other observations are made possible by banding some of the loons, enabling us to confirm returning birds, mate fidelity, and parenting behaviors.
While our loons benefit from the watershed’s clear waters and abundant fish, they are also threatened by both natural predators (raccoons, eagles, and snapping turtles) as well as the human threats - from wakes to lead fishing tackle - discussed below.
Each year we publish in-depth reports documenting the loon’s productive successes and challenges. For more information, review or 2022 Loon Report or our recently published 5-Year Loon Report.
Nesting Platforms
In an attempt to improve loon chick survival, KLWA began installing nesting platforms in key locations on Kezar Lake and its surrounding ponds in 2014. Because the platforms are covered, and rise and fall with water levels, they provide protection from nest flooding and predation by eagles.
The Loon Project
We are grateful to work with local loon expert Lee Attix to better understand and document the breeding behavior of our loon population. Benefitting from Lee’s keen observations and advice on nesting raft positioning, the rafts have provided a critical boost to the watershed’s loon population.
LIVING WITH LOONS
As the watershed becomes more densely developed, pressure on loons has increased.
Nesting loons require privacy so they do not flush from the nest, leaving their eggs vulnerable to predation. Adults caring for chicks also require privacy so feeding is not interrupted. Please give nesting loons, as well as those feeding young chicks a wide berth so as not to disrupt natural activities.
How close is too close? Loons respond clearly when they feel threatened. Learn about loon defensive postures and calls here.
CHALLENGES FACING OUR LOONS
Human Threats
wake vulnerability
Loon nests are often built close to the water’s edge, leaving them vulnerable to boat wakes or storm waves that can wash the eggs right out of the nest. Even nests built on platforms are vulnerable to being rocked or washed out of the nest by large boat wakes.
LEAD FISHING TACKLE
Ingesting lead fishing tackle is the second leading cause of loon deaths in Maine. Sadly, in 2022 Kezar’s most prolific breeder, the Great Brook male, died after ingesting a lead jig. Days later, its chick became entangled in a treble-hooked lure, leading to its death as well.
If you see any bits of stray tackle, please pick them up. Lead tackle can be disposed of in our drop boxes at the Lovell Library and Town Hall.
Read about Maine Fish Lead-Free here.
Mercury Levels
In addition to chick production, KLWA tracks mercury levels from blood and feather samples. High mercury levels can impact loon nesting success and chick survival. Elevated mercury levels have been observed in our Alaska Bay, Great Brook, and Fox Cove loons. We are in the process of expanding mercury studies to include fish in order to better understand this threat.
Natural Threats
WinteR Challenges
After replacing their familiar black and white feathers with a more subdued brown, loons migrate to the ocean. There they feed on fish and marine invertebrates including shrimp, crabs, and even lobster. While at sea, they molt their large wing feathers, leaving them flightless for a few weeks prior to spring migration.
Fall migrations have proven difficult for some birds in recent years, as they become trapped in small pools of water as the lake freezes over. These openings become too small to provide the runway loons need to take flight, making the birds easy prey for eagles.
ICE RESCUE
On January 13th of 2022, five juvenile loons were discovered trapped in small pools of water at Kezar’s north end. A team from Biodiversity Research Institute completed an extraordinary rescue of all five loons. One was from Kezar Lake and the other four had migrated in from other lakes. All five birds were released into the ocean.
Throughout New England, increasing numbers of loons have required rescue in recent years, with some adults left flightless as late ice over has caused the birds to linger past the beginning of their flight feather molt. This migration/molt mismatch may prove to be a more common problem with changing temperatures.
What Can I do to help?
The Loon Project relies heavily on trained volunteers whom we consider citizen scientists. Training occurs mostly in the field but also includes computer work. Nesting platforms are launched in late April to early May, with loons nesting from late May into July.
Our project requires weekly observation and data entry until the chicks are six weeks old. If you are interested in participating, please send us a note here.
Loon chick practices first flights on Kezar lake.
Continue learning about loons
Maine Audubon Living in Loon Territory Brochure