Learn how Long Lake residents help protect loons and what you can do to support loon conservation on Long Lake near Park Rapids, MN.
Want to help protect loons on Long Lake? See simple ways you can make a difference below.
Number One Rule for humans: GIVE LOONS THEIR SPACE!
Excerpts from Article by Sharon Natzel in LLAA Spring 2022 Newsletter and DNR website.
For many years, Long Lake residents have worked to keep the lake welcoming to our state bird, the Common Loon. Today, those efforts continue through partnerships with state and federal programs focused on protecting and supporting healthy loon populations.
Our LLAA Planning Team worked during autumn 2021 and winter 2022 on our Loon-Friendly Lake Management Plan (see link below)
We submitted this first Draft 1 mid-April to the MN DNR Loon Restoration Project Team for additional input. The MN DNR sent a note back saying “amazing job,” and they then sent it to their federal partners in this Loon Restoration Project for their comments.
Thanks go to all the LLAA planning team for this project: Charlie Garr with successful loon nesting platform, Larry Roberts and LLAA BODs Keith Manlove, Mary Leadbetter, Cheryl Scholz, CC White, and Sharon Natzel, the LLAA Loon Liaison and Watcher Survey(or). Our team, as available, attended a couple of educational Zoom presentations by the MN DNR Loon Restoration Project Staff for the 18 lake associations in Hubbard County COLA that are thus far participating in this effort.
These presentations are available here.
This link explains a bit on the overall MN DNR Loon Restoration 3-year Project.
Read the complete LLAA Loon Management Plan here
Do Your Part to Protect Loons
Here are simple ways you can help protect loons on Long Lake:
- Give Loons Their Space: Watch Loons from at least 200 feet away. Close encounters can be deadly for swimming and nesting loons. Use binoculars or spotting scopes from a safe distance.
- Use non-lead fishing tackle. Ingesting one lead sinker or jig will kill a loon. (READ more about this program here)
- Avoid use of islands before July 15th of each year. Loons prefer islands for nesting.
- Protect native vegetation on all shores. Loons often nest on natural shorelines and use natural materials to build their nests.
- Conserve electricity. Mercury emissions contaminate lakes and loon food.
- Dispose of household garbage at a collection site. Garbage draws raccoons, foxes, gulls, and eagles, which prey on loon eggs. Trash can ensnare wildlife like loons.
- Be an ethical angler. Never fish or cast near loon nests or swimming loons, and properly dispose of extra bait and trash on land.
- Keep dogs and cats away from loons and nests. Pets disturb nesting loons and destroy loon eggs.
- Use only phosphorus-free fertilizers on shore-lands, and only if needed. Fertilizer that runs off into lakes increases aquatic plant growth, making it difficult for loons to swim and find food.
- Monitor water quality or invasive species. Check with your lake association, the Pollution Control Agency, and other organizations for ways that you can help.
- Be a responsible boater. Never chase loons or run motorboats or personal watercraft over areas where loons have been seen. Loons and loon chicks have died from being hit by boats and propellers.
Learn More About Loons
- Information on the common loon on the DNR website, including loon calls, reproduction, weight, food, etc.
- Hear loon calls on The National Loon Center, Brainerd, MN website. Remember that the Tremolo is usually a response to perceived threats, including intruding loons, humans or predators such as eagles.
- More information on threats to loons – protecting loons from lead, entanglement, high water etc.
Remember to Report any unusual loon activity or harassment of loons to the Loon Liaison for our Long Lake Area Association (Hubbard County) Inc – Sharon Natzel, text or call 763-355-7908 or email sharonmnatzel@gmail.com.
Read the Long Lake Association’s complete Lake Management Plan here.
