Ideal loon nesting sites are located in less developed areas where human disturbance is minimal. They are often located near the water’s edge on the leeward side of islands or peninsulas. However, many factors influence loon nesting success. These include:

• Fluctuating water levels caused either by dams or storms events can interfere with nesting success. High water levels can flood the nest, while low water levels make it more difficult for loons to slip on and off the nest undetected by predators.
• Human activity can reduce nesting success, driving loons off their nests. During the summer, when loons are driven off nest, high temperatures can kill the eggs. Boat collisions can separate chicks from their parents, as well as cause chick and adult mortality. Additionally, there are more egg predation events in developed areas because raccoon, skunk and crow numbers are generally higher in these areas.
• Predation is an important factor limiting nesting success. Raccoons, skunks, crows, minks, otters, birds of prey, snapping turtles and even large fish pose dangers for either eggs or chicks.
• High insect numbers can drive loons off nest. In Wisconsin, 70% of loons nests were abandoned this year because of black flies.
• Loons with higher mercury levels have less nesting success. High mercury levels interfere with egg development and decrease the number of hatched eggs. Lead poisoning can also interfere with the ability of loons to take care of their chicks.

References:

Moberg, G. Loons abandon their eggs due to black fly outbreak in Northern Wisconsin. WPR(2014).Accessed July27th 2014.From: http://www.wpr.org/loons-abandon-their-eggs-due-black-fly-outbreak-northern-wisconsin.

Radomski, P.J., Carlsom, K., & Woizeschke, K. Common Loon(Gavia immer) nesting habitat models for north-central Minnosota lakes. Journal of the Waterbird Society 37 (2014): 102-117.

Schoch, N., Glennon, M.J., Evers, D.C., Duron, M., Jackson, A.K., Driscoll, C.T., Ozard, J.W. & Sauer, A.K. The impact of mercury exposure on the Common Loon (Gavia immer) population in the Adirondack park, New York, USA. Journal of the Waterbird Society 37 (2014): 133-146.

Spilman, C.A., Schoch, N., Porter, W.F., * Glennon, M.J. The effects of lakeshore development on Common Loon (Gavia immer) productivity in the Adirondack park, New York, USA. Journal of the Waterbird Society 37 (2014): 94-101

Starting in 2016, the sale of bare-lead headed jigs will be banned, followed by a ban on their use in 2017. However, the sale and use of painted lead jigs will remain legal. Does the paint protect loons from direct lead exposure? See what happens when a painted lead jig is placed in a rock tumbler. The conditions in the tumbler simulate the mechanical grinding inside a loon’s gizzard.

Brand New

Day 1

Day 5

Day 7

Day 12

By day 12, the majority of the paint was eroded from the jig, making the painted lead jig no different and no less toxic from a bare headed lead jig.

I’m working on compiling a list of tackle shops in Maine where people can buy lead- free tackle. If you know other shops selling lead-free tackle, email me at fishleadfree@maineaudubon.org

1. The Tackle Shop: (207)-773-3474, 61 India St, Portland, ME 04101
2. Saco Bay Tackle Shop: (207)-284-4453, 977 Portland Rd, Saco, ME 04072
3. Luke’s Reel Repair: (207)-985-2492, 737 Alewive Rd, Kennebunk, ME 04043
4. Mainely Bait & Tackle: (207)-993-3031, 1340 N Palermo Rd, Palermo, ME 04354
5. M.C.W. Bait & Tackle: (207)-642-3039, 60 Fort Hill Rd, Standish, Maine 04084
6. Moosehead Bait and Tackle: (207)-534-226, Jackman Rd, Rockwood, ME 04478

As soon as the sun went down, the capture began.  We set off Tuesday evening from Gorham, Maine and headed to Crystal Lake in Massachusetts. The banding team included a veterinarian, two field biologists and me. We took off from shore in a canoe. One person drove the boat. Another person searched for loons. I sat at the front of the boat, illuminating the lake with a spot light. At first all we saw were geese. Then suddenly we spotted a pair of loons with their two chicks. I kept the light focused on the loons as we moved the canoe towards them. To draw the loons closer to us, we played recorded loon calls. Next, the actual capture began, which, from my perspective, went down extraordinarily fast. In what felt like seconds, the loons were scooped up head first into the net and out of the water. Our first capture was the female loon followed later by the male loon with their two chicks.  With the loon wrapped in a towel, we headed back to shore to take measurements, band the bird and take blood samples. As I sat holding this loon, I learned some important things.  One, when holding a bird, always wear pants. Capturing and banding loons, while exciting, is not glamorous work. In addition to the thick clouds of bugs surrounding me, my legs were covered in a layer of bird poop by the end of the night.  My running shorts provided me with little protection. Thankfully, vet school has done wonders improving my tolerance for gross things. Two, loons are strong birds. It was more difficult than I had envisioned holding down both her legs and wings as everyone rushed to complete everything.  The night ended around four thirty in the morning when I rolled or rather collapsed into bed.  The loon family was safely returned to the water and reunited with each other. Overall, my first time helping capture and band loons was pretty amazing.   For future captures though, I’m wearing pants.