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Loons are capable of adapting to a
variety of conditions. However, particularly during the breeding season,
thresholds can be crossed that will cause a nest to fail or result in the
 death
of chicks or adult loons. Many of these conditions are preventable. During
the spring and summer months, as people recreate on their favorite
lake, they should remember that they share the water with a variety of
wildlife. Time spent to learn their behaviors and habits from a respectful
distance will benefit both humans and wildlife.
Disturbance by wildlife or
humans can interrupt incubation and cause a nest to fail or be abandoned.
Loon nests and young chicks are easily swamped by the wake of a jet ski or
a motorboat, resulting in chilling of the eggs or chicks, and
possible abandonment by the parents. People visiting on an island or
canoeists/paddlers approaching too closely can inadvertently cause adult
loons to leave their nests, potentially for long periods of time, causing
chilling of the eggs and failure of the nest.
Adult loons will
vigorously “dance” on the water or call loudly to distract predators and
people away from chicks or a nest. Although a disturbed loon is an amazing
sight to watch as it
performs its “penguin dance” and calls with tremolos or yodels, recreaters
should recognize that they are too close, and should withdraw so as to
minimize interference with the raising of the young. Jet ski and motorboat
operators can help significantly by staying away from the shoreline, and
keeping a sharp eye out for loons (and other wildlife) while on the water,
giving them a wide distance to feed and care for their chicks.
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