Outdoors 6 ways cottagers can help protect common loons By Julia Nunes Published: April 26, 2023 Updated: March 26, 2024 share Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Pinterest Copy Link Cancel Photo by Harry Collins Photography/Shutterstock 1. Volunteer to help Volunteer for the Canadian Lakes Loon Survey at birdscanada.org/loons. Birds Canada will mail you an information package with observation sheets to fill out. Citizen scientists are asked to record loon observations on their lakes at least one day per month for June, July, and August. 2. Naturalize your cottage property Naturalize your shoreline to provide prime nesting habitat and shelter for small chicks, says Doug Tozer at Birds Canada. Let native brush and tall grasses grow naturally in a buffer along the length of your property’s shoreline. Aim for eight metres (25 feet) depth back from the water’s edge, though smaller buffers help too. 3. Don’t litter Keep a litter-free yard and secure garbage bins so you don’t attract raccoons and other land-based predators. 4. Don’t rock the boat When driving boats, keep away from the shoreline to protect loon nests. If you see a loon, slow down and give them space—more than you think. Experts suggest a berth of around 100 m, or several hundred feet. The sound of a boat motor can cause a parent to panic and swim away from its young chicks, the perfect opportunity for a herring gull or raven to swoop in for a meal. Chicks are less adept at diving to escape danger, especially in wakes. 5. Keep your distance When you’re paddling around the lake, look for signs that a loon is stressed by your presence. The tremolo call may sound like laughter, but it’s actually a distress call. “If you hear that, you should back off,” Tozer says. If a loon swims away from you, you’re getting too close. And if a nesting loon dips its head low and flat in the “hangover” position, it’s also time to back away. 6. Use lead-free fishing tackle If you fish, use non-toxic, non-lead tackle. Ingesting lead is lethal for loons. Julia Nunes wrote and directed the one-hour feature documentary, Loons: A Cry From the Mist. A voice from the wildernessGet The Great Outdoors, our biweekly brief on all things natureSign Up Here Related Story Nature Scrapbook: The common loon Related Story 40 year survey sheds light on the future of loon populations in Canada Related Story Late ice-offs can negatively impact common loon reproduction Sign up for our newsletters By submitting your information via this form, you agree to receive electronic communications from Cottage Life Media, a division of Blue Ant Media Solutions Inc., containing news, updates and promotions regarding cottage living and Cottage Life's products. You may withdraw your consent at any time. Dockside Weekly The latest cottage-country news, trending stories, and how-to advice The Key Weekly Need-to-know info about buying, selling, and renting cottage real estate Family Matters Five-part series Untangle the thorny process of cottage succession with expert advice from lawyer, Peter Lillico
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