Canadian Lake Loon Survey

If you ask people around the lake what Loughborough Lake means to them, one of the responses has to mention the loons. Whether it is the sight of adults and chicks swimming on the lake, the large collections of loons that you sometimes see gathered together later in the year or the haunting calls that they make, they are a part of the Loughborough experience.

There are five species of loons worldwide, of which four breed in Canada. The Common Loon is the most well known species and is the one seen on Loughborough. The majority of the world’s Common Loon population breeds on Canadian lakes. Loons are among the oldest groups of birds still living today; they date back to more than 50 million years. While human activities have reduced available breeding grounds and negatively affected the population of loons, the loon population status is reasonably good in Canada. There are differences noted across Canada in breeding success – the Western provinces have a higher rate of “breeding productivity” than eastern Canada. Breeding productivity however is not consistent and cycles up and down through time. The recent high point in breeding success was in 1998; since then it has dropped to lower levels but, overall,  remains high enough to stabilize the population. Acidic lakes affect breeding success; among other things a higher acid level will increase the concentration of mercury in fish (and therefore loons). Other factors that reduce breeding success include changes to fish populations, fluctuating water levels, disturbance of loon nesting sites, garbage and lost fishing tackle as well as predation by wildlife.

Because loons are relatively high up on the food chain, loon population changes can indicate a change in lake health. They can be considered as a “canary in the cage” for factors such as lake acidity, fish population and aquatic life.

In the early 1980’s, a volunteer loon survey was started. This has become the Canadian Lake Loon Survey (CLLS) that now involves hundreds of participants across the country. They watch the lake at least once in June for signs of nesting, once in July for chicks, and once more in August to see if the chicks survive long enough for their first flight.  The participants then fill out the CLLS reporting form and return it to Birds Studies Canada (the organization that supports the loon survey), or they enter their observations online through the internet.

Loughborough Lake has one long term participant in the CLLS. While providing valuable data, there still is much of the lake that is not being considered. Additional reporting resources would be gratefully appreciated. Get in touch with Birds Studies Canada at www.birdscanada.org or by telephone 1-888-448-BIRD. There is a cost to volunteer – currently it is $35 - but it does come with a survey package, quarterly magazines plus you will receive the Bird Studies Canada Annual Report and a tax receipt.