Loon artificial nesting platforms (ANP) have been used to increase loon nesting success in many states. While they have been effective at enhancing loon productivity and are very popular with lakeshore residents, ANPs do not insure nesting success. The need for an ANP implies that humans have manipulated the habitat to a point where natural nesting is not possible. The best way to enhance the long-term health of loons is to protect natural nesting sites.

If you are considering an ANP, there are at least three questions you should answer first.

1. Do loons produce chicks on your lake at least once every three years?
2. Are there natural nesting locations on your lake that could be enhanced or protected rather than using an ANP?
3. Do you know the history of loon nesting attempts on your lake?

If you answered “yes” to either of the first two questions, we do not recommend putting an ANP on your lake.

If you answered “no” to the last question, you should document loon use of your lake before building a nest platform. You should determine if the loons are territorial (exhibiting defensive postures such as the penguin dance or giving territorial calls like the yodel), non-territorial residents, or just occasional visitors. If nesting has been attempted, data on nest location and nest success or cause and number of nest failures is important. If you do not have loons nesting on your lake there may be a number of reasons, such as poor food base, high levels of human disturbance, or simply that the loons are successfully nesting on a nearby lake.

If natural nest sites are not available or are inadequate, you may want to consider a platform. The most appropriate lakes for platforms are those where all natural nest sites have been developed, water levels fluctuate drastically (such as reservoirs), or loons have lost their eggs to terrestrial predators such as raccoons for at least three consecutive years.

If you are considering an ANP for your lake, there are several things to keep in mind:

1) Contact LoonWatch or call your local WI Department of Natural Resouces wildlife biologist for help in selecting an appropriate location.

2) In Wisconsin, you must either apply for a permit or notify the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources before you can place a loon nesting platform on your lake.

• On lakes designated as Areas of Special Natural Resources Interest, a General Waterway Permit for Nesting Structures is required for loon nest platforms constructed and launched since Spring 2004.  To find out if your lake requires a permit, visit the WDNR website for General Waterway Permits.
• For all other lakes, you must notify the WI Department of Natural Resouces wildlife biologist for your county about your nest platform plans (note: this is not a permit). Send a letter that includes a description of the site (lake name, county, township, range, section, and quarter section) where the platform will be placed. Also identify the landowner closest to where the platform will be placed and include their name, address and phone number in the letter.

3) We encourage you to involve your lake association in your plans.

4) Monitor the nesting success of loons using the platform and send LoonWatch your observations as part of the Annual Lake Monitoring Program.

5) You should also consider placing Loon Alert signs at public boat launches around your lake to let boaters know that loons are nesting there. These signs can be purchased from our merchandise page.

You may download information and plans to build an Artificial Nesting Platform.  Contact the LoonWatch Coordinator for tips on building and placing your platform.