SPRING 2015 1

SPRING 2015

TremoloA Challenging Year for Chick Production

By Erica LeMoine

The 2014 Loon Ranger monitoring forms reveal the truth of last spring’s late ice-out and black fly outbreak.

Similar to the spring of 2013, the late ice-out prevented loons from locating large areas of open water until mid-May versus the more typical time of mid-April.

The black fly outbreak exacerbated the problems associated with later season nesting. For many nesting loons, black flies chased the loons off their nests, causing nest abandonment and failure. Loon rangers shared photos of loons covered in feeding black flies.

M.L. Weinandt’s 2006 research at Northern Michigan University indicates that this species of black fly

is host-specific, and feeds exclusively on the common loon.

In 2014, 269 volunteers monitored 363 territorial pairs on 302 lakes. Rangers reported 216 chicks, totaling about 0.59 hatched chicks per territorial pair observed. This is twenty-one percent lower than a thirty-six year average of 0.80 chicks per territorial pair.

This is comparable to the last black fly outbreak of 2011, where 0.57 hatched chicks per territorial pair were observed, which was twenty-three percent lower than the average.

In 2014, of the 216 hatched chicks, 153 were observed after eight weeks. This translates into an average seventy-one percent survival rate. At eight weeks, chicks

have developed the ability to dive and feed themselves. If they make it to eight weeks, chances are very good that they will migrate in the fall.

I’d like to thank all the volunteers who participated this year and helped provide this invaluable data. During loon seasons like 2014, many Loon Rangers likely did not see nesting, or may not have seen any loons on their lake. Even if you did not observe nesting or loons, that is valuable data too. Indicate zero in the appropriate spaces on your monitoring form, and send it in to us. This helps us understand the big picture. We look forward to hearing from you at the end of the 2015 monitoring season.

photo by: Linda Grenzer

2 TREMOLO

This article (slightly altered here) first appeared in Lake Tides, Volume 39, Number 3, Summer/Fall 2014

Ingested lead tackle is deadly for loons. They can swallow lead tackle that has broken free from fishing line, eat fish that have ingested lead tackle, or even go after your bait while you’re fishing.

“Young loons are particularly known to follow fishing lures and be attracted to live bait,” warns Mike Meyer, research scientist for the Bureau of Integrated Science Services with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. “If this seems to be the case while you are fishing, it’s best to retrieve your lines and move to another location.”

What should you do if you accidentally hook a loon while fishing or notice a loon tangled in fishing line?

If you have stout fishing line and a musky or salmon net, plus the ability to manage a twelve-pound struggling bird, you may consider landing the loon and removing the hook or line, or transporting it to a local wildlife rehabilitation center.

“Most rehab centers do not have a boat or the resources to capture a loon, and the DNR has limited resources and availability during open water season. The loon has a better chance of survival if you are willing and able to take action,” Meyer says.

Here are some recommendations if you decide to take action. Only attempt to capture a hooked or tangled loon if you feel safe doing so.

The loon will struggle and has a very sharp bill, so once you land the bird, a partner should cover the bird immediately with a coat or towel,

Michael A. Miller, Ph.D.President, Northland College

Mark R. Peterson, Ph.D.Executive Director, Sigurd Olson Environmental Institute

Erica LeMoineLoonWatch and Citizen Science Program Coordinator

SOEI StaffJean Ayers Administrative Assistant

Matthew HudsonWatershed Program Coordinator

Randy Lehr, Ph.D.Bro Professor of Sustainable Regional Development

Christopher McNerneyEnvironmental Chemist

Lissa RadkeLake Superior Binational Forum Coordinator

Contact LoonWatch Phone: 715-682-1220 Email: loonwatch@northland.edu northland.edu/loonwatch

Citizen Actions for Rescuing Loons

photo by: Brad Thompson

making sure the eyes are covered (this will ease the stress and struggle of the loon). Being careful not to hook yourself, kneel over (not on) the loon to restrain it. Warning: The loon will most likely defecate when handled.

Remove the bird from the net, carefully cutting or drawing the netting from wings and legs if they are entangled.

Once removed, one person can carefully restrain the bird while the other examines it, and if possible, removes any hooks or fishing line. If the hook is external with the hook exposed, you can cut the barb and pull the hook back through.

Once free from any hooks or fishing line, the loon can be released. If you cannot free the bird, remove it from the net and hold it firmly on your lap, making sure to keep the wings and legs tucked in and its eyes covered with a coat or towel, then transport it to shore.

You can then use a towel-lined, covered dog kennel or cardboard box to transport it to the nearest wildlife rehabilitation center, or it can also be transported in your lap. Please be aware that if you are transporting a loon on your lap, it will struggle the entire time. If the loon’s head is exposed, it will strike with its bill so care should be taken to keep the head covered, but loosely, so it can breathe.

So, when you’re out on the lake fishing and enjoying the peacefulness, remember to be considerate of other anglers…especially the feathered kind.

“A loon can live for over thirty years,” Meyer says. “So it’s important for all of us to play a role in making sure the lives of these enchanting birds are as long and healthy as possible.”

Prevention is the KeyThe DO NOTS …

• NEVER offer minnows to loons. It has been reported that folks are feeding loons that have become relatively tame. This almost guarantees that rewarded loons will approach fishing boats, increasing the risk of them getting tangled in lines or hooks.

• DO NOT fish near loons that appear to be focused on your bait. It is best to temporarily remove your line or lines or move to a different fishing spot.

• DO NOT attempt to capture a hooked or tangled loon if you do not feel safe doing so. If you feel you cannot retrieve a hooked or tangled loon safely, cut the line and report the situation immediately to your local wildlife biologist. Be sure to describe the bait used and the likely manner in which the loon is hooked. Only report if you are certain the bird has been hooked or is visibly tangled.

• NEVER swaddle a loon. Loons do not have diaphragms, and need to be able to expand their chest to breathe. They cannot be restrained on their backs, especially for long-term transport.

• NEVER place a loon in a small body of water. Loons need at least one-quarter mile runway to achieve flight (this is the length around a standard high school track). If a loon is placed on a lake that is too small for it to have a successful take off, it will most likely try to move over land and be an easy dinner for predators.

SPRING 2015 3

4 TREMOLO

Wildlife Rehabilitation CentersA list of wildlife rehabilitation centers in Wisconsin

are listed on the DNR website at dnr.wi.gov/topic/wildlifehabitat/directory.html. Not all rehabilitators can care for birds, however, a federal permit is required to work with protected avian species.

Get the lead out!1. Stop using lead tackle.2. Dispose of lead tackle

properly. Do not toss in the lake or a trash can. Take it to your local household hazardous waste collection site.

3. Spread the word to fellow anglers.

For a list of non-lead tackle suppliers, please go to:northland.edu/loonwatch

Local RegulationsLead fishing weights that are less than one ounce or smaller than one inch in diameter are prohibited for fishing on Escanaba, Pallette, and Nebish lakes in Vilas County, Wisconsin.

The skilled volunteers at the Raptor Education Group, Inc. (REGI) helped this loon (top and middle) untangle its bill from a length of fishing line. Bottom: An x-ray shows how several lead sinkers can accumulate if a loon ingests them, causing lead poisoning, and eventually, death. Images Courtesy of REGI.

SPRING 2015 5

A Loon Ranger’s Successful Rescue

By Erica LeMoine, LoonWatch Coordinator

A passionate and dedicated Loon Ranger called last fall to tell me that one of the loons on their lake needed rescueing. Unfortunately this type of call is becoming more frequent every year.

Loon Ranger Don Zimmerman on Lower Long Lake in Chippewa County kayaks ten miles around his lake about once a week to monitor the loon nests.

One of the loon chicks he watched grow up all season long was in trouble, entangled in a nasty looking fishing lure. LoonWatch, as with DNR offices and rehabilitation centers, lack the resources and capacity to perform rescues throughout most of northern Wisconsin so I attempted to find local assistance.

In this case, the local assistance ended up being Don, his wife,

and some brave and adventurous friends. At first I thought this might be a relatively easy rescue since the loon had beached itself on his yard. After conferring with colleagues I provided Don with the previous article in this newsletter. “I felt confident attempting to rescue the loon,” Don said. “The article was very helpful as it provided instructions so the rescuers and the loon did not get injured.”

However, while we made a plan, the loon had shuffled back into the lake. But now Don was prepared and had already located a large musky net and towel. They took a boat out, located the loon under a dock, and were able to safely land the loon.

Don’s friends gently restrained the loon while he removed the lure. This loon has no idea how lucky it is—Don is also a retired physician.

“We didn’t know how long the lure had been attached or how long the loon had gone without food, so we didn’t want to mess with him,”

Don said. As soon as they removed the hook and looked him over, they immediately released him.

“He immediately started swimming and preening. Soon the parent was feeding him. He was the last loon on the lake, and left the last week of September.”

Important LoonWatch Note: Never attempt a solo rescue of a loon. This would be dangerous for both you and the loon. A loon’s “business end” is its very sharp bill. It will not understand your good intention, and will try to defend itself.

Below: A large black plastic lure is under the loon’s wing, and the treble hook is stuck in its leg. Bottom left: The main body of the lure was approximately eight inches long, and the tail is another six inches long. Photos by Don Zimmerman

6 TREMOLO

“Seems as though the parents have left

the bay. The baby is on its own and calling

continuously—so sad…but thriving.”

—Elizabeth Coffin, Birch Island Lake, Burnett County

“A single (loon) lumbered on shore into the

grass. One pair swam by almost looking for the

single who then made himself small—neck out

and down—looked like he was hiding.”

—David Bjarnason, Long Lake, Burnett County

“This flowage used to have at least four

nesting pairs of loons. In the past three-to-four

years, there has been a great deal of territorial

conflicts (heard at night – yodeling). Now

there may be one or two chicks taken by

eagles.”

—Lorna Wilson, St. Croix Flowage, Douglas County

“On May 23, our nesting loon was being

tormented by black flies. With each passing

hour, the swarm progressively worsened. Our

male would continually shake and rub his head

trying to get rid of these pests. He left the nest

and dove numerous times, but the flies were

still attached to the poor guy. He climbed back

on the nest while these flies were still attached

to his head.”

—Linda Grenzer, Muskellunge Lake, Lincoln County

“Both previous nesting sites used by the

loons were under water this year due to

the high lake level.”

—Jean Weinberg, Little Crawling Stone Lake,

Vilas County

“The water level increase on Little

Spider was almost twenty inches. This

caused the loons to try to relocate.

They made two attempts but both failed

because of black flies and rising water

level.”

—Ken Korsch, Little Spider Lake, Vilas County

“This year we observed the least

amount of loon activity since we began

doing the surveys. Looked like the pair

would nest just before Father’s Day. I

observed one actually going on the

island shore. Appears the black flies

were too intense.”

—Maureen & Tom Gartner, Stearns Lake,

Vilas County

Seeking Volunteers For Loon Population Survey

Loon

Ran

ger S

torie

s

LoonWatch is recruiting volunteers to participate in our one-day Wisconsin Loon Population Survey. LoonWatch orchestrates this statewide loon population survey once every five years. This survey is vital to assessing the effectiveness of current conservation efforts with the loon population.

The 2015 survey will take place between 5 a.m. and 10 a.m. on July 18, 2015. During this time, survey volunteers will record the number

of adult loons and loon chicks from a list of 258 pre-selected lakes in northern and central Wisconsin. This information will then be used to estimate the loon’s statewide population and breeding success.

Call or email LoonWatch to sign up for the Wisconsin Loon Population Survey (715) 682-1220 or loonwatch@northland.edu. Check out the list of lakes that need volunteers at northland.edu/loonpopsurvey.

SPRING 2015 7

SUPPORTLoonWatch

northland.edu/give

Your support makes the work of LoonWatch and the Sigurd Olson Environmental Institute possible. It provides information for the public, support for research, and valuable hands-on experience for Northland College students —the conservation professionals of the future. Please consider making a sustained gift to LoonWatch or the Sigurd Olson Environmental Institute. Even a small monthly gift can make a big difference. For more information or to set up your sustained gift, call (715) 682-1234 or go to:

This loon nest contains a dead chick and an unhatched chick—the result of a territorial takeover. Notice the adult loon swimming underwater in the upper right of the image. Photo by Alan Schwoegler.

Loon Ranger Shares Observations of Tragedy and Drama on the Lake

From the monitoring form of Alan Schwoegler, East Horsehead Lake Loon Ranger

A very sad, surprising year. At first, I suspected the nest was abandoned due to flies. Huge hatch of black flies were in clouds about twenty-feet wide and twenty-feet high over nest. At times they were so thick they appeared like a black cloud.

A hatch (loon) occurred June 16 despite the flies and despite a male usurper June 15-16.

The female stayed on the nest for two days by herself. The two eggs were hatching. One chick was seen on the nest and second chick was pecking its way out of the egg. The male usurper forced the female off the nest about 2 p.m. June 16. He then killed the hatched chick on the nest and pierced the second egg and “almost hatched” second chick. I witnessed this through my binoculars first hand, from about 150-feet away.

After this first usurper, there were two more this summer. A total of four males claimed territory from May through August. No re-nest was possible because of the further intrusions.

NOTE FROM LOONWATCH: Territorial disputes between loons are either male vs. male or female vs. female. Although many Loon Rangers observe territorial disputes that entail loons fighting with their wings, bills, and chasing each other around the lake, some observe what Al described. If the intruding

loon “wins” the fight and usurps the resident loon, he or she takes over that territory and bonds with the resident of the opposite sex.

If chicks or eggs are present, the usurper (intruder who won the dispute) will destroy those chicks or eggs, as they want to pass on their genes. Similarly, if an intruder loon wants to disrupt the territorial pair bond, he or she may accomplish this by destroying any chick or chicks present.

Although this may be upsetting for humans watching these magnificent birds, it is natural, normal loon behavior. There is evidence that as the population increases, there will be more territorial disputes and encounters with intruders. Check out Walter Piper’s loonproject.org for more information about this fascinating behavior.

8 TREMOLO

CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED

1411 Ellis AvenueAshland, WI 54806-3999

northland.edu/loonwatch

photo by: Linda Grenzer

NONPROFIT ORGU.S. POSTAGE

PAIDDULUTH, MN

PERMIT NO. 1944