Michigan Loonwatch and MLPA

The Way Life Should Be

2012-02-03T12:51:00.015-05:00

"Underwater Beauty" by Jacqueline Nutting, Loon Ranger

Here is an amazing and beautiful photograph of a loon swimming in a clean and clear lake in Grand Traverse County. This shows so well the ideal lake for loons in which to live. It brings to mind that most of our Michigan lakes were like this many years ago when our loon population numbered in the thousands. And since ancient times, these are the kind of lakes that gave loons the best chances of survival. Today, observational estimates by Michigan Loonwatch and other official agencies tell us that loons number less than 700 in the entire state of Michigan, and thus are listed as a Threatened Species on our state's Endangered Species List.

The Common Loon is decidedly not common here, and it is the efforts of protection and education and careful monitoring of the birds, their habitat, and working to assure their nesting success, that helps them to survive. The work of our Loon Rangers throughout the state is what makes the difference. In some areas, they may be locally called "citizen scientists" by some, but they are our own Michigan Loonwatch Loon Rangers and for twenty-six years they have been in the forefront of loon protection, education and research in our state.

Soon, another nesting season will be here, and we eagerly wait to hear the haunting and ancient voices across the water, to once again see the little loon families on our lakes, and watch the young ones grow and become strong as summer's languid days go along. This is our fervent hope and wish for the new season and for many years to come.

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Memberships and donations to MLPA are what allow our Michigan Loonwatch work to continue. Please consider becoming a member of MLPA. Categories begin at $10. Please send to Joanne Williams, MLPA-MLW, P.O. Box 294, Shepherd, MI 48883. Members receive yearly membership cards, a decal and subscription to our quarterly newsletter Loon Echoes. Together we can help the Common Loon remain a part of Michigan's beautiful natural resources. Thank you!

2011-12-19T04:12:00.003-05:00

"Following Mom" by Laura Tom, Loon Ranger

2011-11-25T11:49:00.007-05:00

"Peaceful Morning" by Ross Powers, MLW Area Coordinator,
MLPA Board of Directors

Loon News & Notes

2011-11-23T08:20:00.018-05:00

Shop the Loon Mercantile for loony gifts!

Find something special for your Valentine!
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See our latest issue of Loon Echoes or go to our web site: michiganloons.org
to view and order from our Loon Mercantile Catalog
(Orders can be placed online or by U.S. Mail)

Lakes, Loons and Limnology

2011-04-02T09:09:00.020-04:00

"Contentedly Waiting": Loon on MLPA-MLW Nesting Island: by Ross Powers
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Lakes, Loons and Limnology
by Ross Powers, retired Aquatic Biologist U.S. EPA, member Michigan Loon Preservation Association

Clean Lakes Attract Loons
Did you know that loons once nested on many southern Michigan lakes? Now you are lucky to find them on lakes south of Clare. Why? Here is a hint: there is a connection between clean water and the bird that symbolizes pure Michigan. Common Loons nest on lakes with clean, clear water and healthy fish populations. They avoid lakes that are too polluted or clogged with weeds. That restricts the lakes that can attract and support loons. Because loons naturally select clean, healthy lakes for their homes, we can use them as biological indicators providing early warnings of degrading water quality.

Because both people and wildlife are are impacted by poor lakes conditions it is important to recognize and preserve lakes with good water quality. The mournful call of a loon is mimicked by Hollywood to provide the feeling of pristine northern living. People value this feeling, and are typically willing to pay more for homes on lakes with loons. Loons are part of the total lake living package on many of our lakes. As a kid, I loved growing up on a lake in Michigan. because there was always something to see and do. I loved the whole experience of being n a lake. Boats, swimmers, ducks and other wildlife were always coming and going. I liked clear lakes for swimming, and other lakes with a few more weeds for fishing. I learned to value the quality of the water in a lake, because it determined how I could use it.

Some lakes are geologically old, and appear to be polluted, but are not. Other lakes with too many weeds can be salvaged if we detect problems early. Excessive nutrients due to inadequate septic systems are bad for fishing, people and loons. Being aware of changes in your lake's water quality can help prevent losing the use of the lake for swimming, aesthetics and wildlife watching. That is where MICorps (or CLMP) water quality monitoring can help. Be informed and you can make a difference.

Lake Associations Are Good For People and Loons
Michigan Lake and Stream Associations are working to provide solutions to problems found on our waters. Armed with the correct information, they can protect your lake. When needed, they can restrict abusive boat traffic, monitor lake conditions, and report changes in the wildlife and environment. By leeping lakes healthy, lake associations are invaluable stewards of our water quality. Poor environmental conditions affect people and wildlife in and around lakes. Water clarity and invasive weeds are stealthy problems that can diminish the use of a lake. As a lake resident, you can prevent the loss of these healthy lakes by simply taking some easy samples and observations. Lake residents, working with the MiCorps Cooperative Lakes Monitoring Program (www.micorps.net) can provide data to support pollution prevention actions. Lake Associations do many things to protect lakes and, at the same time, this protects the habitat of the the Threatened Common Loon s. The health of Michigan's loon population is monitored by the Michigan Loon Preservation Association. The members of MLPA provide this data,through its Michigan Loonwatch Program, for natural resource scientists. You can learn more about loons and how to attract them to your lake, by visiting www.michiganloons.org or joining the Michigan Loon Preservation Association.

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MLPA memberships begin at $10. Please visit www.michiganloons.org for information and our membership form.
Thank You!

Michigan Loonwatch: The Statewide MDNR Loon Recovery Plan Research Project

2011-03-07T09:11:00.049-05:00

Loon Monitoring and Protection

"Brand New Family" by Lesley Lewis, Loon Ranger

Michigan Loonwatch was begun in 1986, designated and set up under the Michigan Department of Natural Resources to create and then to operate under and following the guidelines and recommendations of the Michigan Loon Recovery Plan, which it does to this day. The Recovery Plan was based on the experience and knowledge of Michigan biologists as well as of leading loon biologists Dr. Judy McIntyre and Dr. Paul Strong, and the North American Loon Fund.

Michigan Loonwatch Loon Rangers have helped guide, oversee and protect loons and provide data on loons and their territorial and feeding lakes throughout Michigan for over twenty-five years. A total of over 4,200 baby loons have been nurtured, helped and protected to successful fledging throughout the entire state during these years.

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For more information on the Michigan Loonwatch Program, please visit:
www.michigan.gov/dnr. Click on "Wildlife and Habitat", then on "Research Projects". Michigan Loonwatch will be listed to click on.

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Michigan Loonwatch: Statewide:
*Loon Protection and Monitoring, *Education, *Research
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Operating under
*The direction of Michigan DNRE and the guidelines of its Michigan Loon Recovery Plan
*The support of MLPA and as an affiliate of Michigan Audubon Society

Michigan Loonwatch Educational Programs
"MLPA-MLW Loon Display" by Paige Calamari, Intern (CMU)

Michigan Loonwatch Loon Research
"Early Spring Observing in Michigan's U.P." by Joe Rogers, Wildlife Recovery, MLW

Early Knowledge About Loons

2011-03-01T22:26:00.017-05:00

"Mom Feeding Baby" by Laura Tom, Loon Ranger

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A Voice From Long Ago: Early Knowledge About Loons
By Joanne C. Williams, State Coordinator MLPA and MLW

One of my most enjoyable interests is to search out old research and writings about the loons. Recently, I found a wonderful book: Life Histories of North American Diving Birds: Order Pygopodes by Arthur Cleveland Bent, a biologist commissioned by the Smithsonian Institution to research bird species in America. It became his life’s work, and he published many volumes covering many species. This one on the diving birds, published in 1919, immediately captured my interest. Bent’s earliest personal observation of loons is noted for 1872, near his New England home, with quotes from others throughout the 1800’s and first decade of the 20^th century, with several quotes from Audubon’s 1840 works.

A section of the Loon (Gavia immer) pages I found particularly interesting, especially at this time when we are so concerned and wanting to find out more about loon migration. We know that loons have been studied for centuries, and there is very little information that has not been already discerned about them. How did the people and scientists back in earlier days learn about the loon life cycle and habits? By observation; and it appears that there were observers in a great many places, carefully recording and reporting what they found.

This book lists the areas and dates of loon migration in Fall and in Spring; and also lists breeding range (greatly diminished over the past century, as we know) and winter range, as well the egg dates, which tell us that those loons are on territory. From these observations, made over 100 years ago, we can know more about loon migration patterns, and we can also see that things have not changed much as to where the birds migrate in their seasonal travels.

This is only one of many books and records. We can see that people have been seriously observing and studying these birds for many years, and have known their needs, lifestyles and habits. The Loons' beauty and specialness has given them a place in peoples' hearts. Our energies and resources today need to go not to repetitious studies that verify information known over 100 years ago, but instead to use what we have learned and to expand protection efforts for the loons and their habitat.

It gives us pause to consider the populations of loons numbering in the thousands just here in Michigan a century ago, and how they are today on our state's Endangered Species list, and, thankfully, now protected by both Michigan and Federal law. We will never again see the numbers as they once were, but we can do our best to to protect and preserve the loons we have left. That is what the loons most need right now, and that is the mission (now twenty-five years on) of MLPA and Michigan Loonwatch, and the mission to which our volunteer Loon Rangers are wholly committed. To lose this treasure would be to lose part of ourselves forever.

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Mission Statement of the MLPA

The Michigan Loon Preservation Association is a non-profit organization whose mission is to preserve the Common Loon as a breeding bird in Michigan through public education, research and the protection and management of loons and their habitat.

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State Coordinator's Corner: Wintering Loons in Maine: November 2010

2010-11-23T08:00:00.006-05:00

November 23, 2010: From Joanne: Hello Everyone! I am once again in Maine this Autumn for a short stay. I am in Winter Harbor, a small fishing village located on Acadia National Park's Schoodic Peninsula. Every time that I visit here I enjoy walking down to Sand Cove, which is nearby, to see the loon pair that stay here year-round. This cove is their territory. The Atlantic coast off of New England is a major wintering area for loons, and this pair is one of the lucky ones that never need to migrate to get here. They, are, of course, in their winter plumage; and though not as bright as their breeding plumage, still exquisitely beautiful to my eyes.

When I went to see them early in the morning a few days ago, one of the pair was feeding out where the cove widens to the open seas, at the point where the morning mists drifted over the land and the blue-gray waters: the ever-changing ocean, now in its late Autumn cloak. The day was sunny, cold and windy, but the cove was a calmer landscape than out in the open water, and the second loon nearer shore fed lazily in the early morning. He came up closer to me as I stood silently watching from a small hill, as if checking me out, but otherwise seemed unconcerned.

As I watched the birds at their undisturbed early morning feeding, a small duck paddled by, dipping along the shoreline for food. He, too, was unconcerned, going about his daily work. Many gulls swooped overhead, some landing on the water, gathering together in a small rafting group. Overhead, one of the resident Bald Eagles circled; nearby, chickadees chattered as they hopped about in the old, weathered pine. It was a simple and comforting beginning to a good day, filling me with gratitude, and to rest the soul and to know that all is well here. . .the way it should be.

Joanne C. Williams, State Coordinator MLPA-MLW

Michigan's Loons Need Your Help

2010-08-27T17:21:00.009-04:00

"Young Loon at Summer's End" by Ross Powers

Our Loons Need Your Help…………….

We’ve reached late summer and it has been a challenging season for the Michigan Loon Preservation Association as we move out on our own. Our protection of loons continues and has resulted in a very successful hatching season. Loon Rangers have installed nest islands and informational buoys in addition to educating their neighbors about loons. In the lower peninsula, we have added another lake with three successful pairs.

We thank all of you who have become members. You can help by forwarding this e-note to all your friends. Once they hear about these beautiful birds they will want to help them, too.

Please consider making a summer gift to the loons of at least five dollars to help us continue our work of protecting loons. Our newsletter, Loon Echoes, is another means of enlarging our circle of loon friends. An individual or business can help underwrite an issue of Loon Echoes.

• As you consider your level of support, remember IF EACH OF US DOES A LITTLE, TOGETHER WE CAN ACCOMPLISH A LOT.

To contribute, please send your donation made to MLPA to:

Joanne Williams, MLPA-MLW
PO Box 294
Shepherd MI 48883

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Please include:
Name/ Business Name__________________________________________________

Address ______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

E-Mail __________________________Phone ________________________

________ My summer gift to help protect the loons
________ My gift to underwrite Loon Echoes

THANK YOU FOR HELPING THE LOONS.
AN ACKNOWLEDGEMENT WILL BE SENT TO YOU FOR TAX PURPOSES
Any Donation of $10 or more will include a membership in MLPA

We Thank You!

Loon Release: Wildlife Recovery Association and Michigan Loonwatch: July 14, 2010

2010-07-30T21:08:00.005-04:00

Happy Loon Splashing in the Water Following Release

Preparing to Release Loon: Kristy Morris & Joanne Williams
Photos by Barb Rogers

Loon Alert Signs Available

2010-07-30T13:10:00.002-04:00

Michigan Loonwatch has metal Loon Alert signs available for posting at approved areas on loon-territory lakes. These are 12' x 18", lightweight aluminum. They are $45 apiece, including postage and handling. Please contact Michigan Loonwatch, P.O. Box 294, Shepherd MI 48883 or Joanne Williams: 989-828-6019, michiganloons@yahoo.com.

Loons and the Gulf Oil Spill

2010-07-30T13:04:00.005-04:00

Loons and the Gulf Oil Spill

By Ross Powers, MLPA Board of Directors

The loss of a few loons in the disastrous oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico is insignificant when compared to other losses. I feel helpless to do anything about the loons or the major disaster taking place, as I watch TV and shudder at the oil soaked birds. It makes me angry.

The Gulf of Mexico oil spill is huge and growing. It is immediately devastating to the economy and ecology of the area and will impact the rest of us eventually. A way of life and a whole ecosystem is a stake. With our economy already stressed, losing the fisheries and tourist trade in the gulf will hurt everyone. We are interconnected, like the web of life, and the union of states. That is why this is everyone’s problem. I feel sorry for the people that are struggling with this monstrous oil spill, because it is the worst kind of oil and in the worst location.

Surrounded by nature preserves and pristine white sand beaches, there is little chance that it will be carried out to sea with the currents. Wind and waves will transport the floating oil around the Gulf driving it into critical shallows and beaches. The critical near shore areas must be protected. The responding parties know this and are working hard to prevent more damage than what is already done. They need to pray for calm weather with no hurricanes this season.

The Gulf of Mexico, like the Great Lakes basin, is a unique eco-system. It is home and hatchery for everything from shrimp to pelicans. It is a stop-over and resting area for many migratory birds. Some of Michigan’s juvenile loons are there now. They will stay for a few years before returning north to nest as adults. The future breeding stock of our loons is congregating in near-shore areas where the fish and crabs are easy to reach. That is where the wind will be depositing the smothering crude oil. The adult loons are safe in Michigan until fall, when they, as well as this season’s young, will either be lucky and choose to overwinter on the Atlantic or unlucky and choose the Gulf.

Crude oil is a killer loaded with all kinds of solvents and ”light ends” that taint fish and invertebrates with a taste and odor that will last their whole life. What is not smothered, spoiled or tainted by the crude will be unfit for consumption. Contact with the sticky tar-like oil is usually fatal to waterfowl and waterbirds with only 50% of the rescued and cleaned wildlife surviving. Most critters will die unnoticed in the goo and never be rescued or counted. Plants, oysters, and crabs are not able to flee and are sure to be killed.

Ocean waves act as giant mixers to force tainting solvents into the water and leave behind thick globs of foamy oil on the beaches. The surfacing heavy crude oil has a lot of pollutants to deliver to the air and water before it plops on shore. The high pressure undersea fountain that is injecting gas and oil droplets into the water at the bottom of the ocean will pollute a mile of water as it rises to the surface. The polluted water can become trapped in thermal layers and transported by undersea currents to impact large areas of the ocean. Dispersants are not needed. Natural bio-degradation will eventually handle the diluted petroleum, IF the thick masses of oil are removed. It remains to be seen what damage this pollution event will cause to the ecology of the Gulf. A lot will depend on the weather, with wind having a major influence.
Remember the Boy Scout motto “Be Prepared”? They were not.

As a retired environmentalist, I worked on many oil spills and know that you can’t prevent them, but you can prepare for them. Responsible oil companies have spill prevention plans that include contingencies for worst case scenarios. Immediate response with proper equipment is required to contain and clean up an oil spill. It is obvious that in this case, regulators let them avoid keeping these resources ready and available. It makes me angry. This tragedy affects us all.

MLPA is the only organization that is tracking the population fluctuations of the Common Loon in Michigan. That is why it is important to continue these population counts. I feel sorry for all the Loon Rangers that worried over young chicks all these years, only to realize that they are in danger in the Gulf. When the next generation of Michigan loons migrates out of our area of influence, we must trust that Nature will prevail over the folly of man. We can only hope for the best and count the returning pairs in the spring. Yes, we could use your help. To volunteer to help protect Michigan’s loons and to assess the damage to our loon population during this crisis, contact: Michigan Loonwatch, P.O. Box 294, Shepherd MI 48883, michiganloons@yahoo.com

First Reported Loon Sighting: Spring 2010

2010-03-21T10:30:00.006-04:00

Friday, March 19, 2010: We're glad to report our first Spring loon sighting! The loon pair has arrived on their territorial Mecosta County lake; coming in as soon as the ice was out. We are happy to be starting to welcome our beautiful Michigan loons back home!

Tremolos: February 2010

2010-02-19T09:17:00.017-05:00

TREMOLOS

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News Page from
Michigan Loonwatch - Michigan Loon Preservation Association
February 2010

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“First Year: Summer's End” by Clay Wilton

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A Very Good Year Ahead!

As MLPA moves out more independently from its long-time affiliation with Michigan Audubon Society, we find that our work becomes even more exciting, the support for our group and our work is strengthening and growing, and we are looking forward to a full and rewarding season ahead. Our Michigan Loonwatch program continues to expand with more and more concerned and dedicated citizens taking on the role of Loon Ranger. As we begin preparations for the return of the loons to our northern waters, we are once again hoping for a successful year for the loon families that will grace our lakes this coming summer.

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Michigan Loonwatch: an Overview

Michigan Loonwatch is the loon management, protection and registry program of the Michigan Loon Preservation Association, operating under the direction of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and following the Michigan Loon Recovery Plan.

Each year since 1986, our Loon Rangers have monitored and protected Michigan’s loons on a day-to-day basis throughout the state. It is the oldest loon program in the state and Michigan’s only loon-oriented program providing statewide monitoring, protection and educational outreach on the loons’ behalf.

Our Loon Rangers work with state and federal agencies, as well as with other groups and citizens in the efforts for Michigan’s loons and other wildlife and habitat. Each year, the Rangers return reports to us that detail the loons’ activities and also provide statistics that help us to understand the population trends as well as how the birds are faring on particular lakes and throughout the state. This enables us to better know their needs and how to focus our efforts to protect and preserve this natural treasure.

Joanne C. Williams, State Coordinator MLW, MLPA

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2009 Preliminary Lake Reports
MI Loonwatch 2009 preliminary statistics reported through 2-23-2010, to be updated as additional reports are received:**

Loon Pairs: 138
Nests This Year: 112
Chicks Hatched: 143
2 Week Chicks: 125
6 Week Chicks: 113
Chicks Fledged: 110
Hatch per Pair: .965
Fledge per Pair: .797
Fledge per Hatch: .769
# of Lakes Reported: 148

**Not all loon nesting lakes are registered (entered in our data system). The registered lakes do not make a scientific sample of any area. New and updated information is regularly received.
(**The 2009 loon information from the Ottawa National Forest has not yet been received.)

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MLPA Annual Meeting!

Sunday, May 23, 2010 is a date that we hope you will mark on your calendar. It will be our Annual Meeting from 1:00 - 4:00 P.M. at the beautiful Carl Johnson Nature Center in Cadillac. We will have a guest speaker, and there will also be opportunities to find out more about Michigan's wonderful loons, as well as about our work to protect them throughout the state. More details will be forthcoming as we prepare and look forward to this happy yearly loon event!

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Loon Echoes Newsletter Coming Out Soon!

The next issue of our MLPA quarterly newsletter "Loon Echoes" will be coming out in Mid-March. This will be a special issue for membership as well as a look ahead as our Loon Rangers prepare for ice-out and the spring arrival of the loons. This issue will be sent postally to all members.

We invite new memberships at any time; our membership opportunities begin at $10. Contact Luanne Jaruzel: jaruzel@tds.net for more information, or visit michiganloons.com. We also invite you to visit our two blogspots: www.michiganloonpreservationasssociation,blogspot.com, and www.michiganloonwatch.blogspot.com

"Tremolos" is the online news page for Michigan Loonwatch and Michigan Loon Preservation Association: Michigan's oldest and only statewide loon protection, monitoring and education organization, operating under the direction of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and within the guidelines of the Michigan Loon Recovery Plan.

On the Road with MLPA-MLW Programs

2009-09-15T10:33:00.019-04:00

MLPA-MLW presents loon programs statewide. Our MLPA Board members, as well as many of our Loon Rangers and Area Coordinators, bring presentations to many groups, including schools, nature centers, libraries, lake associations, Audubon chapters and public and private events, and more. We can provide a presenter in your area and we would love to visit and share our knowledge and love for Michigan's loons! Please contact us at westhova@ferris.edu or michiganloons.yahoo.com.

Some of our programs are presented along with Wildlife Recovery Association, as we also present live birds that share the loons' habitat. Our loon mount, Mahng, also often accompanies us on presentations.

Above: Joe Rogers and Joanne Williams present at Gaylord Audubon: 1) Showing our loon study skin, Slim, to audience members, and 2) At our host's display table before the presentation.

(photos by Tim Palin)

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If you would like to learn more about loons, then you will surely enjoy the excellent DVD by MLPA-MLW's Jeff Lange, "The Uncommon Loon". This beautiful documentary biography of a loon family's season here in Michigan can be ordered for $24 from Jeff or from MLPA's Loon Mercantile. Email Jeff: uncommonloons@gmail.com or Arlene: westhova@ferris.edu. Please visit www.theuncommonloon.com to learn more and for a beautiful preview of this extraordinary film. Jeff is also happy to present programs to interested groups; please contact him for more information.