Loon Page

 
 Number One Rule for humans:  GIVE LOONS THEIR SPACE!
Photos on this page were taken by Debbie Center using a camera  with zoom feature.  She observed the guidelines  from the MN DNRLoon Monitoring Program which suggests staying at least 200 feet away from loons.

 
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. But now those efforts are moving into hyper-drive as the LLAA works to participate in state and federal programs aimed at not only preserving loons but helping them thrive.

Our LLAA Planning Team worked during autumn 2021 and winter 2022 on our Loon-Friendly Lake Management Plan Draft 1 – (see MORE 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.
 

 
 
 

 Do Your Part to Protect Loons

  • 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.



 

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