Common Loons are exciting birds to observe among the avian communities of the North Woods (photo by Paul Konrad).

Join fellow birders by volunteering to survey a lake for just one hour or four hours during Vermont's 38th Annual LoonWatch Day, Saturday July 18. Each year on the third Saturday of July, Vermont Center for Ecostudies (VCE) volunteers monitor more than 160 lakes and ponds statewide in the most effective way for VCE to document and track Common Loon populations. Citizen scientists will monitor ponds and lake from 8 to 9am, or 6 to10am for lakes larger than 300 acres, and the VCE could use your help.

It’s an exciting time to study Common Loons and by mid-June, VCE loon biologist Eric Hanson and Vermont Loon Conservation Project volunteers had already confirmed 72 active nests, with more volunteer sightings continuing to be reported. This worthy citizen science project still needs LoonWatch and Adopt-a-Lake volunteers to monitor many lakes and ponds July 18, so to find out how to get involved in this important and fun annual event please visit the VCE LoonWatch webpage at https://vtecostudies.org/projects/lakes-ponds/common-loon-conservation/loonwatch/

You can also refer to VCE Loon Biologist Eric Hanson’s blog page to learn more at https://vtecostudies.org/blog/vermont-loon-conservation-project-off-to-a-successful-start/