Maine Audubon Loon Count Celebrates 25th Year

Volunteers still needed for this year’s count

FALMOUTH, Maine, July 8, 2008—What is it about loons that has compelled Rebecca Black to participate in Maine Audubon’s Loon Count for the last 25 years?

“Everything comes to a stop around here when you hear a loon. I just think it’s such a thrilling sound,” said Black, who lives on Green Lake in Ellsworth. “It’s disappointing, but we just don’t hear them as often as we used to.”

In Maine Audubon’s 25th annual Loon Count on Saturday, July 19, Rebecca will be joined by 800 others who share the same awe and concern for loons as they survey lakes and ponds across the state.

“We’re very excited to reach this milestone,” said Susan Gallo, director of the Maine Loon Project. “Thanks to the dedication of our citizen-scientist volunteers, we have been able to get information about the loon population that has gone a long way for wildlife conservation over the last 25 years. It has helped build support for laws that keep our waters clean by reducing mercury and lead sinkers, and for outreach on how people can share the lakes with the loons who nest on them.”

“What’s really impressive is the dedication of our volunteers,” Gallo continued. Nearly 30 of them have participated in all 25 years of the count.

“I just think I’m doing a good thing by the loons and I really enjoy working with all the great counters,” Black said of why she has stay involved for so long. “I look forward to it every year.”

Reporters and editors: please let us know if you would like to contact a 25-year veteran in your area.

Volunteers are still needed for this year’s count, which takes place between 7 and 7:30 a.m. on Saturday, July 19. Counters are given areas to count on the shore or by boat; regional coordinators compile the results and send them to Maine Audubon for analysis.

2007’s Loon Count estimated 2,432 adults loons and 422 chicks in the southern half of Maine. While the number of chicks was the second highest on record, adults were down for the second year in a row.

“The conditions this season have been a bit more favorable for loons than in the last couple of years,” Gallo said. “There have been periods of rain but no dramatic storms to flood nests. We’re coming into the busiest time of year on lakes, though, so it’s important for people to give loons room and keep boat wakes to a minimum when they are around.”

For more information, contact Maine Loon Project director Susan Gallo at (207) 781-2330, ext. 216 or visit our Loon Project page here.

MAINE AUDUBON works to conserve Maine’s wildlife and wildlife habitat by engaging people of all ages in education, conservation and action. For more than 160 years, Maine Audubon has been connecting people with nature and leading science-based conservation in major projects across the state. An independent affiliate of Audubon’s national organization, Maine Audubon has seven local chapters, 10 nature centers and sanctuaries, and 11,000 members and supporters.

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