You Can't Miss the Sound of a Loon Call
- Pine&Dandy
- Sep 9, 2024
- 2 min read
During the warmer months at Arbutus Lake you can't miss the haunting sound of Loons calling. I enjoyed the process of researching and learning more about these interesting birds!
The common loon (*Gavia immer*) is a distinctive and iconic bird found in the Northwoods of Wisconsin, known for its striking appearance and haunting calls. Here is an overview of the loons in this region:
Habitat and Distribution
- Preferred Environment: Loons thrive in the clear, oligotrophic to mesotrophic lakes of northern Wisconsin, which provide abundant small fish and secluded nesting areas[1][7]. These lakes often have numerous islands and floating bogs, offering protection and ideal nesting sites[7].
- Territorial Behavior: Loons are highly territorial, with a single pair often defending an entire small to medium-sized lake[3]. They typically nest within a few feet of the water, often on floating sphagnum mats or protected islands[2][7].
- Migration Patterns: Loons migrate through southern Wisconsin during the spring and fall, often stopping at larger bodies of water like Lake Mendota[2]. They winter along the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico coasts[6].
Diet and Feeding
- Diet: Loons are expert anglers, primarily feeding on fish such as perch and sunfish. They also consume crustaceans, snails, leeches, and aquatic insect larvae when fish are scarce[1][6].
- Feeding Behavior: Loons are known for their remarkable diving abilities, capable of reaching depths over 170 feet during migration[2].
Reproduction and Nesting
- Nesting Sites: The male loon selects the nest site, typically in quiet, protected areas of the lakeshore. Nests are constructed close to the water to accommodate the loon's limited mobility on land[1][2].
- Breeding Challenges: Loons face threats from shoreline development, which can degrade or eliminate critical wetland habitats necessary for successful nesting[2][6].
Conservation Concerns
- Population Decline: Recent studies indicate a significant decline in the loon population in northern Wisconsin, with a 22% decrease over the past 25 years[4][5]. Factors contributing to this decline include poor water clarity, mercury bioaccumulation, and lead poisoning from fishing tackle[2][5].
- Climate Change Impact: Climate change is expected to shift the breeding range of loons further north, potentially out of the United States by 2080[5].
- Conservation Efforts: Initiatives like the Wisconsin Loon Project are focused on studying and conserving loon populations by monitoring their breeding success and addressing threats like habitat loss and pollution[4][6].
The common loon remains a cherished symbol of the Northwoods, but its future in Wisconsin depends on continued conservation efforts and habitat protection.
Citations:
[1] https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Common_Loon/lifehistory
[2] https://swibirds.org/fff/2019/4/12/common-loon
[3] https://californiawaterblog.com/2021/02/14/eat-prey-loon-lessons-from-juvenile-loons-in-wisconsin/
[4] https://loonproject.org
[5] https://tomahawkleader.com/2024/05/09/northwoods-loon-population-in-decline/
[6] http://www.mercerwi.com/all-about-loon/
[7] http://www.wisconsinbirds.org/plan/species/colo.htm
[8] https://www.sierraclub.org/wisconsin/blog/2024/07/common-loon-symbol-northwoods
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