OTHER INTERESTING FACTS

• The loon is related to the penguin.
• Loons return early to nesting grounds (when ice starts melting) to claim their territory.
• Loons can live up to 30 years.
• The loon is a popular bird -- there are carvings, paintings and other reproductions of loons.
• The loon is featured on stamps and on the Canadian dollar.
• Native Americans have legends about the loon.
• Loons in Canada are protected by law and can not be hunted.

SAVE THE LOON

The Common Loon population is on the decline. Here are a few reasons why loons are disappearing from many lakes.

• Cottages, campgrounds and marinas are being built along lakes where loons liked to nest.
• Loons are easily disturbed birds. People, pets, boats and waterskiers bother the loon. Noise chases the parents away from a nest.
• Some loons get tangled up in fishing nets or accidentally swallow fish hooks. Loons also get lead poisoning from swallowing lead sinkers left behind by fishermen.
• Water pollution (oil spills from motor boats, pesticide run-off, acid-rain ) and mercury poisoning affects the fish and water insects that the loons feed on.
• Pollution of the lakes where loons nest can lead to a build-up of toxins (poisons) in the loons' eggs and in the chicks.
• Some people think it is fun to chase after loons with boats. Chicks cannot dive as well as the adults and are run over.
• Motor boats (and waterskiers) make large waves which can wash eggs out of the nests, or separate the parents and the chicks when they are swimming.
• People are shooting at loons. Dead loons have been found with pellets or bullets in their bodies.
• More people means more garbage. This attracts predators such as raccoons and gulls who prey on chicks and eggs.

  HOW CAN WE HELP THE LOON?

  Don't disturb loons; if they start to call out, you are too close.
  When boating slow down and do not to make large waves.
  Stay away from loons that are swimming in the water or nesting.
  Fishermen should not use sinkers or jigs made of lead.
  Do not leave unattended fishing lines or loons can get tangled in the lines.
  These are just a few ways that we can help to "SAVE the LOON".