About LoonWatch

Research and Monitoring

• Annual Lakes Monitoring Program
  Since 1978, hundreds of volunteers (affectionately known as Loon Rangers) across northern Wisconsin have helped us keep an eye on nesting loons. Volunteers attend a Loon Ranger Workshop in the spring to learn how to monitor loons, to hear what's new in the world of loon research, and to meet other loon enthusiasts. Throughout summer, Loon Rangers watch loons on a lake where they live, vacation, or visit often. They record when loons arrive, if they nested, how many chicks were produced, and any potential threats to the nest site. In fall, data is sent to LoonWatch where it is entered into the DNR's SWIMS database and available for management decision-making. Loon Rangers also help protect loons by spreading the word to their neighbors and other lake users to steer clear of loons on nests and on the water.
• Wisconsin Loon Population Survey
  Every five years since 1985, LoonWatch initiated a one-day loon survey on a pre-selected group of lakes in the northern region of the state. This group of lakes represents not only the majority of counties used by breeding loons, but also the proportional number of lakes in each of four size classes ranging from 25 acres to 500+ acres. The information collected is used to estimate the number of loon adults and chicks. A special Population Survey was conducted in the summer of 2011 in response to the Gulf Oil Spill.
• Sigurd T. Olson Loon Research Award
  Established in 1985, the Sigurd T. Olson Award was named in honor of wildlife biologist, Sigurd T. Olson, son of the Institute's namesake, Sigurd F. Olson, in recognition of his early contributions to our understanding of loons. Sigurd T. Olson Loon Research Award funding has provided critical support for small but important projects that have allowed researchers to increase their understanding of loon nocturnal vocal behavior, impacts of human disturbance on loons and causes of loon mortality. Since 1986, more than $35,000 dollars in funding has been awarded.

Educational Programming

• Speakers' Bureau
  To raise awareness about issues threatening loons in the Upper Midwest, LoonWatch staff and volunteers give presentations to a variety of groups including lake associations, schools and any interested organizations. LoonWatch provides training and a toolkit (PowerPoints, loon costume, scripts, etc.) for volunteers to give presentations about loons and related issues. This is an important way to expand the number of people we reach and the geographic range of our education efforts.
• Get the Lead Out!
  Get the Lead Out! is a campaign in several U.S. states and Canada aimed at educating anglers about the impact of lead fishing tackle on loons and other wildlife. Each year loons and other waterbirds die from lead poisoning due to ingestion of lead fishing tackle especially sinkers and jigs. LoonWatch raises citizen awareness about the impacts of lead fishing tackle on loons and other wildlife in the Upper Midwest. Our goal is to reduce the use of lead fishing tackle through voluntary and eventually legislative means.
• Loon Appreciation Week
  In 1999, LoonWatch sponsored the first Loon Appreciation Week to raise the awareness of citizens about how they can help protect loons and their aquatic habitats. This annual celebration of the loon's arrival in the north is held the first full week of May. LoonWatch commemorates each Loon Appreciation Week with an artistic and educational poster that is distributed throughout the United States and Canada by poster sponsors. A photo contest is held in August of the previous year to select an image for the poster. LoonWatch also provides educational presentations throughout the week.