Management

Landowner Contact
Stabilization of Water Levels
Nest Warning Signs
Nesting Rafts

Landowner Contact

The VLRP can make the difference between nest failure and nest success by working closely with landowners.  Most loon pairs in Vermont nest on private lands.  Early detection of new or potential nesting pairs is critical to allow the VLRP biologist to contact landowners before a disturbance event occurs.

If the nest is located sufficiently out of the way, just letting the landowner and neighbors know where to reduce their activity may suffice.  If the nest is located in a human “traffic” zone, other management and outreach efforts might be necessary.

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Stabilization of Water Levels

The VLRP and VFWD work closely with hydroelectric operators and towns that control dams for drinking water to reduce flooding and stranding of loon nests.  Most groups voluntarily control water levels during the nesting period.

 

 

 

 

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Nest Warning Signs

Floating nest warning signs have proven effective at giving loons a chance to nest successfully on our busy lakes.  The signs might initially draw attention to the nest site, but they reduce the number of accidental disturbances causing loons to leave the nest. 

(optional) Informed lake-users and loon volunteers help protect loon nests by educating their neighbors and visitors to the lake to respect loon nest sites.  Signs are usually removed within a week of the eggs hatching or after a failed nest.  Volunteers have become important managers of this important tool for loon recovery.

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Nesting Rafts

Nesting rafts provide artificial islands on lakes and reservoirs that have fluctuating water levels.  Rafts are also used when natural shoreline nests continually fail due to shoreline predators (e.g., raccoons, mink) or natural habitat on a lake is too developed or used by people. 

(optional) Nesting rafts are anchored by two cables and cement blocks and float in 2 to 5 feet of water usually 10 to 30 feet from shore.  We place rafts in wind-protected areas away from boat traffic if possible.  Many volunteers adopt a raft to maintain and place, and youth groups often assist with the building of them.

(optional) Since 2005, the VLRP has removed many rafts where natural habitat is present (islands and marshes) and has adopted the policy to primarily only use nesting rafts in territories that have repeatedly failed over several years. There are many lakes in Vermont that provide good resting and feeding habitat for non-breeding loons (and visiting breeders), and it may be that we should not promote nesting on these lakes and ponds that have no islands or marshes where loons tend to nest.

 

 

 

 

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