Birds Canada and QuebecOiseaux (Quebec Birds) have recently joined in a new working partnership to study nesting Common Loons (photo by Paul Konrad).

Birds Canada and their partnering groups are studying Common Loon nesting success and productivity with an eye on potentially declining populations and an interest in connecting conservation solutions to bolster populations. Across Canada, dedicated volunteers count adult pairs of loons initially, then check back to assess nesting success and the number of young of the year. Quebec has been a bright spot for loon productivity, so Birds Canada and QuebecOiseaux (Quebec Birds) have recently joined in a new working partnership to study 80 more pairs in the province annually.

This effort will represent an important step that will require more volunteer participation, and the Canadian Common Loon Inventory is hoping that birders who live, fish, cabin, or camp on a northern lake just about anywhere in Canada, that you visit at least 3 times during summer – once in June, July, and August – will please sign up and help to improve survey coverage in your region. And if your lake is in Quebec, they are especially keen to hear from you.

Since 1981, participants in the Canadian Common Loon Inventory have been monitoring the species’ nesting success by spending at least 3 days each summer exploring their lake, once in June (to see if there are pairs on site), once in July (to see if there are hatchlings swimming in association with pairs), and once in August (to see how many young mature to fledging).

Monitoring an additional 80 pairs of nesting Common Loons each year above the current number of pairs presently surveyed across southern Quebec will provide a much better idea of how Quebec loons are faring better than other areas of Canada. QuebecOiseaux will cooperate with Birds Canada by engaging and encouraging Quebecers to participate in the Canadian Lakes Loons Survey. QuebecOiseaux will also liaise with lake and cottage stakeholders in Quebec to share tips for healthy lake stewardship and provide other loon education information. QuebecOiseaux’s associate Laura Puch will lead communications with Canadian Lakes Loons Survey participants who communicate in French.

For more information about this interesting program and to register to participate, see birdscanada.org/loons or oiseauxcanada.org/huards and you can also refer to Loons Receive Helping Hand in Québec - Birds Canada | Oiseaux Canada