Last week I was walking with my sleeping baby around Wolfe's Neck Woods State Park in Freeport.
I stopped for a moment at one of the overlooks onto the broad Harraseeket River. Immediately I saw terns diving for fish, and in the distance an osprey winging its way toward the wooded hills. And then I heard the utterly distinctive and beautiful cry of a Common Loon.

 

Loons ( Gavia immer) became one of my favorite birds after spending a season living next to a remote lake in New Hampshire and being woken (grudgingly) every morning at 6 a.m. by the resident nesting loons. Who wouldn't admire their striking black-and-white plumage and deep red eyes? Loons are carnivorous, diving and swimming to catch fish with their long, sharp bill. At the back of their mouths, they have rearward-facing projections to help keep a hold of their slippery prey. They also have solid bones, unlike most birds, to help keep them less buoyant when underwater. During this time of year, you will find them on quiet, healthy bodies of freshwater. Loons are very vulnerable to human disturbance, particularly pollution from chemicals that end up in the water or in their prey.

 

One of the most deadly forms of pollution to our common loons are lead fishing weights. Loons ingest small pebbles from the lake floor to aid their digestion; discarded or lost lead split-shot sinkers easily end up inside their stomachs. Fish that have sinkers in them can also poison a loon if eaten. Lead sinkers are so toxic and yet so common that over the last 25 years, the leading cause of death among adult loons has been lead poisoning. Many organizations in Maine have teamed up to help Mainers fish lead-free. If you are lucky enough to fish and spend time near loons, please visit this website to learn how you can help protect this beautiful species.