Summary

  • Natural history: Vermont’s loon population crashed from 19 nesting pairs in 1982 to just 7 the following year for reasons that remain unclear, before the Vermont Loon Recovery Project’s habitat-protection and landowner-outreach efforts helped it climb to 66 nesting pairs by 2009. Ingested lead fishing gear remains the leading cause of adult loon mortality in New England.
  • Status in VT: Increased by 145% (11 to 27 blocks). Greatest increase in Northeastern Highlands, their stronghold in Vermont.
  • Data from other research: VLRP: Increased over last 15 years to 66 nesting and 90 pairs in 2009.
  • Conservation status: State rank S3B; SGCN-H
  • Other atlases: NY: 43%; ON: slight increase
  • VT’s role in North American range: VT is at the southern edge of the range.
  • Causes of change since first Atlas: Recovery efforts including public outreach, working with landowners, stabilization of water levels; posting of nest warning signs and buoys to reduce human disturbance; providing artificial nesting rafts.
  • Management/Monitoring recommendations: Continue monitoring, management, and public education via Vermont’s citizen scientists following the pending state Recovery Plan.

Population Trends

Common Loon graph

First Vermont Breeding Bird Atlas (1976-1981)

Species Account

Second Vermont Breeding Bird Atlas (2003 – 2007)

Species Account

Common Loon Map 1Common Loon Table 1Common Loon Table 2

Change in Distribution

mapkey Common Loon Map 2 Common Loon Table 3

Links

Vermont eBird

Encyclopedia of Life

All About Birds