Common Loon Gavia immer Cool Fact: In the non-breeding season when they are on the ocean, loons show modest gray upperparts and white underparts, but in the summer months (breeding season) adults have a striking black and white neck and back, and a black head and bill. Common Loons are among Maine’s most beloved and Read More
Common Loon
How a Loon Learns to be a Loon
During the last waning days of summer, we sat on a deck overlooking a beautiful lake where Common Loons thrive. We heard them calling through the night and watched as they meandered in the ripping waters just past the dock. And we observed the loon parents as they helped their young one to become a Read More
LD 958, Expand Protections to Maine’s Loons by Prohibiting Sale and Use of Certain Painted Lead Jigs
Testimony in Support of LD 958, An Act to Expand Protections to Maine’s Loons from Lead Poisoning by Prohibiting the Sale and Use of Certain Painted Lead Jigs Senator LaFountain, Representative Landry, and members of the Joint Standing Committee on Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, I am Melanie Sturm, the Forests and Wildlife Director at the Natural Read More
Loons, Balloons, and Pontoons
A local radio station asked the question earlier this week, “What have you done this summer that you have never done before?” My answer: My husband, Chris, and I bought a boat. Yup. That’s right. We spent a day out on my brother- and sister-in-law’s pontoon boat and decided that was the life for us! Read More
My Maine This Week: Gerard Monteux
My Maine This Week frequent photographer and NRCM member Gerard Monteux of Hancock, Maine, shares his gorgeous photos of a Common Loon family on Moulton Pond in Dedham and writes, “This chick is just four days old, and is quickly learning the ropes from its parents. These lessons include precisely how to pose for the Read More
My Maine This Week: Callie Wronker
NRCM member and frequent My Maine This Week contributing photographer Callie Wronker of Jefferson, Maine, writes, “There was an awful ruckus yesterday when an eagle landed on a tree just above where the loons were nesting on a rock island in the lake. Today I kayaked out at 5:15 a.m. to see what I could Read More
My Maine This Week: Larry Mingledorff
If you are a member of the Natural Resources Council of Maine who received one of our annual Nature of Maine calendars, then you have been looking at this photo of a Common Loon on Megunticook Lake all month long. This photo was taken by NRCM member Larry Mingledorff of Palm City, Florida. Thank you, Read More
Let’s Clean Our Lakes and Ponds
Loads of lead fishing lures can be found at the bottom of even the cleanest bodies of water. By George Smith Kennebec Journal column We’re blessed with our beautiful brooks, steams, rivers, ponds and lakes — but there is still a lot of work to do to clean them up. Thankfully, we don’t have the Read More
New Law Bans Lead Fishing Tackle to Protect Loons
By The Associated Press Bangor Daily News news story A new Maine law bans lead fishing tackle in hopes of protecting loons. The Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife says keeping lead fishing weights out of Maine waters will better the birds’ survival and spur population growth across the Northeast. Ingesting lead fishing tackle is Read More
