Maine is Getting Loony Again: Beloved Bird Population Doubles Since 1983
However, the loon population in Maine has been on the rise, with a significant increase in adults and chicks. According to Maine Audubon, the estimated population for the southern half of the state is 3,174 adult loons and 568 chicks.
Moreover, the count is more than twice the number when they started counting in 1983, and the count of adults has increased 13% from 10 years ago. This growth is attributed to conservation efforts, including bans on lead fishing tackle and laws that limit boat speeds.
Consequently, the success of Maine’s loons is critical to the population at large, with the state being home to one of the largest populations of loons in the U.S. The birds migrate to the ocean in late fall and need a long runway to take off, making winter a treacherous time for them.
Conservation Efforts Pay Off, But Challenges Remain
Meanwhile, conservationists are cautiously optimistic about the growing chick numbers, but it will take several more years to determine if this is a real upward trend. The U.S. Forest Service considers the common loon a sensitive species, and while they are not listed under the U.S. Endangered Species Act, they are considered threatened by some states.
In addition, the birds are vulnerable to threats such as lead poisoning and habitat destruction. The Avian Haven wildlife rehabilitation center in Freedom, Maine, is tending to loons that are iced in during the winter months.
Maine’s Loons: A Critical Part of the State’s Ecosystem
Therefore, the protection of Maine’s loons is crucial to maintaining the state’s ecosystem. With a population of thousands more loons than the other New England states, Maine is home to a significant portion of the U.S. loon population.
Furthermore, the state’s breeding loons are critical to the population at large, and conservation efforts are ongoing to protect these birds. The success of Maine’s loons is a testament to the impact of conservation efforts and the importance of protecting these beloved birds.
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