An Innovative Effort to Return Loons to Massachusetts Hits a Major Milestone By Cara Giaimo New recovery techniques have helped the iconic waterbirds nest in the state's glacial lakes for the first time in more than a century.
Translocation story.
After humans drove common loons to near extinction in Massachusetts in the late 19th century, the birds have been slow to recolonize the state. But now, with settlement money from a 2003 oil spill, a project aims to jumpstart the population by capturing loon chicks in Maine and convincing them Massachusetts is home.
BRI research included in a landmark study as part of global animal tracking data collective BRI researchers have joined scientists around the world in a landmark study published in the journal Science that uses three decades of animal tracking data to gather insights about animal responses to changing environmental conditions in the Arctic. The study, titled Ecological insights [...]
The scope and intensity of mercury contamination in North American songbirds is more widespread than previously reported. Fifteen new scientific papers have recently been published in a special issue of the journal Ecotoxicology.Studies find that at least 58 songbird species show demonstrated effects from mercury. The journal’s October issue entitled, TheImpact of Mercury on North American Songbirds: Effects, Trends, and Predictive Factors, presents results of field, laboratory, and museum studies—from Alaska to Maine to Puerto Rico.
Special journal issue highlights W&M legacy of songbird-mercury research This article celebrates the long standing commitment of Dan Cristol (Chancellor Professor in William & Mary’s Department of Biology) to the study of mercury in songbirds and the environment, as well as his contribution as co-editor of the recent special issue of the journal Ecotoxicology, along [...]
Saving the Loons: What Conservation Efforts Are Helping Maine's Iconic Loons & How Can People Help? Loons are a beloved symbol of Maine— Maine has more loons than any other state in the east. We’ll learn about the recent work done by local conservationists to bolster the loon population. They will also discuss ways [...]
Special Commentary: How wildlife photography helps the environment By Hope Rogers In wildlife photography, one final photo is worth a thousand minutes — or even hours — of waiting. Idaho-based wildlife photographer Ken Archer spends extensive time at a particular site, often with a specific animal, to find out what it’s like to live [...]
Journalist Alex Kuffner tagged along on a loon capture to check the translocated loon that has started a family on the APC.
A Tiny Bird Makes a Big Splash The last time a common loon hatched in southern Massachusetts, there were only 37 states in the U.S.; Ulysses S. Grant was President; and there was no such thing as a telephone. Yeah, it’s been a while. So imagine the excitement one charcoal ball-of-fluff bobbing between its protective parents near Fall River has caused among those who have been working to bring this bird back for years. By Lauri Munroe-Hultman Public Affairs/Congressional Affairs U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service North Atlantic-Appalachian Region
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