Every year the Maine Audubon Society partners with volunteers around the state to promote healthy lakes, clean water and quality habitat for loons. On the third Saturday each July over 1,000 volunteers head to the lakes and ponds here in Maine to observe and count the number of adult loons, chicks and nests. The Loon Count can be found by visiting the Lake Stewards of Maine website and in the link above . The loon count on the Belgrade Lakes has been recorded since 1983 and in 2020 volunteers had counted 135 adult loons on the 7 lakes, with 53 on Great Pond alone! That’s a great number of these beautiful birds that call the Belgrade Lakes home. There is more work to be done to protect them and their habitats so we can enjoy their evening songs for generations to come. If you are interested in volunteering please reach out to the Maine Audubon Society. Lets keep our lakes clean and healthy by working together!
Tips to be loon friendly
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Obey the no-wake law within 200 feet of shore.
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Use lead-free tackle.
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Dispose of fishing line so it doesn’t get tangled up into the loon’s feet or bill.
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If you live on a lake, use phosphorus-free fertilizer and plant shrubs as a buffer along the shoreline to reduce run-off.
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Give loons space.
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Join your local conservation group.
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