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LoonWatch accepting proposals for 2013 Sigurd T. Olson Research Award

November 21, 2012

LoonWatch, a program of the Sigurd Olson Environmental Institute at Northland College, is accepting proposals for the 2013 Sigurd T. Olson Loon Research Award. The award is named for biologist Sigurd T. Olson, whose research on loons provided a better understanding of the species.

The Sigurd T. Olson Loon Research Award has provided grant support to researchers that advances knowledge of loon behavior, mortality and management. Each year, LoonWatch awards a maximum of $3,000 to fund research that provides insights into loon migration, breeding, behavior and more.

"Loons are an important indicator of healthy lake ecosystems," says Erica LeMoine, LoonWatch Program Coordinator. "They need clear water to be able to see and pursue their prey. They also eat at the top of the food chain, and are therefore susceptible to toxins in their lake environment."

Jeff Wilson of Northwoods Wildlife and Wetlands received the award last year for a research project that captured a time-lapse view of common predators to nesting loons on the Turtle Flambeau Flowage in Iron County. Wilson used 10motion detecting time-lapse digital cameras that rotated around 20 loon nests. When activated by the motion detection, the cameras took photos every 30 seconds. All told, Wilson's research gathered more than 26,000 photos of loon nests from early May to mid-June.

"Every day we monitored the loon nests with the cameras, and if the eggs were gone, we'd pick up the camera and download the images to see what happened," said Wilson. "Instead of capturing a predation, one of the first images we captured was of a loon flushing off the nest, and knocking the egg off as well. Several subsequent photos showed the egg floating away, and the loon seemed to follow it."

LeMoine says that's just one example of how the award has promoted a better understanding of loons and factors that play a role in their overall success.

Loons are a long-lived species - living 25 to 30 years old. They only produce one to two chicks each year," says LeMoine. "Not to mention, lake residents and visitors tend to be passionate enthusiasts and advocates for loons. They watch the loon families grow up during the nesting season, and they want to do everything they can to help nurture andprotect loons and their habitat."

Research on North American loons or any Gavia species will be considered for the award. Funding is reserved for research carried out during the 2013 calendar year. The North American Loon Research Endowment funds part of the award. The proposal deadline is Dec. 10, 2012. The award winner will be notified by Jan. 31, 2013. LoonWatch has awarded more than $35,000 for loon research since 1986.

Those seeking more information about the award may visit the Northland College website www.northland.edu/loonwatch, request proposal guidelines by contacting LoonWatch via phone at (715) 682-1220 or e-mail at loonwatch@northland.edu. LoonWatch has coordinated volunteers to monitor loon activity and reproductive success for more than 30 years. The program is one of many housed at the Sigurd Olson Environmental Institute on the Northland College campus.