Loons

[ Loon call ]    

An ad-hoc committee established in 2010. 

MISSION: To conserve and enhance the Common Loon population through habitat protection and restoration, and public awareness and education. Loon

    • Support the Michigan Loon Preservation Association via the Loon Ranger program.
    • Protect the loon nesting habitat via the deployment of Loon Nesting Buoys.
    • Support the loon nesting behavior with an Artificial Loon Platform.

Committee articles and reports:

There is currently one nesting pair of loons on Ann Lake. We have seen as many as 10 pairs on Ann Lake for what we call a local “Loon Party”. It does say they must find Ann Lake a nice lake to visit. If they pop up next to you, enjoy the visit !

 

Lake Ann has always had at least one pair of nesting loons; however, they were not always successful in having chicks. After having 2 chicks in 2013, we went through several years of no chicks. The loons kept arriving at Ann Lake mid-April and in 2014 and 2015 attempted to nest in the same spot in Mud Bay.  In BOTH years the nest was attacked and then abandoned. In 2016, the loons arrived in mid-April, as normal, but this time did not stay in Mud Bay; Ann Lake was experiencing a high level of water which meant the loons were unable to use their “normal” nesting spot. ALPOA placed the Artificial Nesting Platform (ANP) in a new location at the west end of the lake. While the loons used the platform, after 28 days they abandoned the nest with no chicks.

In 2017, we put the ANP out again at the west end of the lake and SUCCESS. In 2018, we used the same location and again SUCCESS as well as SUCCESS in 2019. In 2020, the ANP was put in the same spot and the loons started to nest…. then Cristobal happened. The ANP was blown across the bay and came to a rest at Harris Point with 2 eggs. The loons never got back on the nest.  In 2021 we put the nest back out in the original spot but this time, we added a stronger anchor. SUCCESS!

So keep your eyes and ears alert for the return of the nests this April. We will again put the ANP out at the west end of the lake. Keep your fingers crossed that we will be able to celebrate our loon chicks again in 2022!

Disturbances can cause the loons to stay away from the nest or even abandon it. The Michigan Loon Preservation Society has created a flyer with guidelines on how to interact with the loons. Please share this information with any renters or guests you might have so that we can ensure our loons continue to return to Ann Lake.

Loons are the oldest of birds being traced back to over 100 million years. Their breeding habitat consists of inland lakes that have an abundant population of fish and a large proportion of undeveloped shoreline. They prefer lakes with a small island or bog mat to hold the nest (inaccessible to raccoons and other egg-eating predators), in an area of little or no high speed boat traffic.

The Michigan common loon population is down to below 200 pairs after a devasting die off along the Lake Michigan shoreline do to avian botulism.  The common loon was listed as a Michigan state threatened species in 1987. The Association purchased loon buoys to protect the loon nest at Ann Lake from boat traffic. These buoys are put out in the spring as soon as the loons have established their nesting sight and removed after the chicks have hatched or the nest is abandoned, normally in early July.  Please stay out of the area marked off by the buoys.

Loons are endangered and less than 200 nesting pairs are left in Michigan. Stay 300′ away from them.  State Law is a $1,000 fine for harassing loons. Please by all means educate your family members and guests to respect these awesome endangered birds.  They are NOT ducks !   Stay away from them while skiing, wake boarding, jet skiing and high speed boating.  

Questions email: Loons@annlake.org

If you have any loon sightings email them to the above address. Where, when & number.

Lake Ann, Michigan