The Common Loon Needs Your Help

The Common Loon is anything but common in the state of Michigan. At the turn of the 20th century, WB Barrows, in Michigan Bird Life, noted that "there is hardly a stream or pond on which Loons are not seen each season". Since then, it is the fortunate few who are able to see this beautiful bird at all. Most loons are found in Alaska and Canada. There are still many in Minnesota, but in the rest of its range, including Michigan, its numbers are but a small remnant of those seen in the past.   

Loons must have food and shelter.  This means there must be clean water which harbors small fish, invertebrates, and aquatic plants. There must also be a suitable nesting site in which the Loon can lay and safely incubate eggs, and a quiet cove or bay in which to raise chicks. Finally, the Loon needs a safe route for migration in spring and fall as it journeys to and from Michigan.

The Common Loon in Michigan faces challenges in the years ahead. This beautiful bird spends part of its life on lakes in the northern woods where it may face threats from humans who do not understand the loon's needs. The Common Loon is currently a threatened species in Michigan, with an estimated population of less than 500 breeding pairs.

Poor water quality limits the availability of food. Development of lake shore property eliminates nests sites, and predators threaten eggs or adults sitting on nests. Boat traffic in or near the loon's territory disturbs the bird and causes desertion of the nest or even death. Commercial fishing nets entrap and drown many loons each year. Lead sinkers and jigs are ingested by loons, which leads to lead poisoning and death. Rising and falling water levels impact nesting success. Even people who profess to love loons may unintentionally harm them.

The Common Loon occupies other northern states and parts of Canada.  In each of these places, citizens work through state and provincial associations to protect the Loon and its habitat.  Their efforts demonstrate that people can be effective allies of wildlife.

People in Michigan can help the loon by joining the Michigan Loon Preservation Association. Membership in the MLPA includes voting privileges, subscription to its newsletter, Loon Echoes, and an official MLPA decal. Membership is open to anyone wishing to support our mission. The MLPA is operated by a volunteer Board of Directors. Our Board Meetings are  held four times a year, and are open to all members, as is our annual members meeting and conference.  

Our website serves as a source to communicate with our members, educate the public, and share our opinions, photographs and suggestions. Please sign our online Guest Book. We are attempting to provide a number of interesting and informative links. Try our new Loon forum to ask your loon questions and to be entertained.

In addition to our usual sources of income,  Memorials and bequests honor loved ones. The MLPA appreciates your consideration in estate planning. Finally, The Loon Mercantile Company has great Loon gifts and  Loon merchandise that any Loon Lover would appreciate, and at the same time help us to support the future of the Loon in Michigan.

Perhaps Judith McIntyre, well known Loon author and expert, said it best in the preface to her book, The Common Loon, Spirit of the Northern Lakes: 

"It is my fervent hope that a time will never come when storytellers will say, 'Once upon a time there was a bird called a loon.....' but that grandparents will always be able to take their grandchildren to northern lakes and listen together to that most haunting of boreal wilderness sounds, the call of the loon."