• Assist and lead in the capture and color-banding of Common Loons in both the western and eastern parts of the state
• Collect tissue samples of Common Loons and analyze them for lead and mercury, two environmental toxins that adversely impact loon breeding success
• Obtain geolocators previously deployed in earlier years to identify migration patterns and winter use areas

Protection of loon breeding habitat is critical to maintaining the integrity of loon populations and avoiding increased degradation of suitable breeding habitat. Because of its status at the top of the food web, high visibility to people, limited dispersal ability, and relatively slow replacement rate, the loon is widely used as an indicator species for tracking aquatic integrity.

General threats to this population during the breeding season include: (1) direct human disturbance to nests and chicks; (2) water level fluctuations of territorial lakes and reservoirs; (3) changes in prey abundance; and, (4) contaminants. Washington’s wintering loon population is susceptible in marine waters (see Figure 1) to hazards such as oil spills and commercial fishing nets. Loons are long-lived and have relatively low fecundity—therefore, Washington’s breeding population is at particularly high risk to anthropogenic stressors. 

Evidence of the loon’s ability to acclimate to changing conditions demonstrates that properly designed conservation efforts can be beneficial. General threats to North America’s loon population are well-established. We recommend prioritizing the following actions to help maintain their long-term sustainability.

Monitoring

• Continue standardized surveys of breeding loon population.
• Continue to band and track adults and returning  juveniles to determine mate and site fidelity, local territory movements, age at first breeding, longevity, and individual performance.
• Enlist the help of additional citizen scientists at breeding territories to function as Loon Rangers.
• Collect more information on reproductive success and specific movements during and after the breeding season to assess long-term sustainability of loon populations west of the Cascade Mountains.
• Continue tracking mortality to document trends and the effectiveness of current lead ban regulations.
• Continue monitoring number and locations of bald eagle predation.

Research

• Continue capturing, banding, and sampling loons to track individuals and determine health, including contaminant body burdens (e.g., mercury and lead and stable isotopes).
• Determine inter- and intraseasonal movements with geolocators and satellite transmitters.

Management

• Expand the use of artificial nest platforms. Use avian guards around nest sites and on artificial nest platforms.
• Assess the impact of Washington’s Bald Eagle population on loons.
• Increase the ban on lead fishing tackle statewide. 

Outreach

• Continue to increase awareness of the presence and requirements of breeding loons using dioramas, exhibits, brochures, and video presentations.
• Post educational signs at boat launches, trail heads, kiosks, and visitor center

• Collaborators Washington Department of Fish & Game
• U.S. Forest Service (Colville District)
• Hancock Timber Resource Group
• Seattle Public Utilities
• Tacoma Water District
• Colville Confederated Tribes
• Spokane Audubon