Another spring season is upon us and the loons are coming back to their summer homes. One loon has been spotted on the lake already this year. Bear Lake is not a nesting lake but a feeding lake. Loons are territorial and come back every year to the same lake. Unfortunately, we did lose one last year to a boat and another appeared to be caught in a fishing line. We hope to see a few more and, if we’re lucky, a new pair will make our lake their feeding lake.
Let’s help protect these beautiful birds by using lead free jigs. Birds commonly eat small pebbles to grind food for digestion. Small lead sinkers and jigs may be mistaken for these pebbles. In Michigan, lead poisoning accounts for about 25% of autopsied loon deaths. Also, pick up discarded monofilament line as they may become entrapped.
If you see a loon flapping its wings wildly and dancing across the water, you are too close. Please stay at “binocular range” for viewing and never harass them.
Please protect and enjoy the Bear Lake loons.
For more information about loons visit www.michiganloons.org. If you have any interesting stories or facts about our loons, please click on “Leave a Comment” at the top of this post.
Your Loon Ranger,
Mary Vervisch
