By Abby Wilson
Maine Audubon celebrated 40 years of counting common loons in the state earlier this month, but this was only the second year of gathering data on Sebago Lake. |
| Common loons are spotted during Maine Audubon's Annual Loon Count on Sebago Lake on Saturday morning, July 15. PHOTO BY ABBY WILSON |
This is because the loons are born within a few days of one another in the month of July. Maine Audubon has selected the third Saturday of the month as the best day for counting because “loon chicks can’t fly yet and chick predation mostly occurs before this date,” said Brad McCurtain, the volunteer coordinator for the Sebago Lake Annual Loon Count.
Brad says that the 7 a.m. time was chosen for the count because loons are most active and visible during feeding hours. This date and time are selected to achieve the more accurate count.
The information gathered is then used by Maine Audubon to establish data points, which can then be used to monitor loon populations in specific areas by looking at trends over time.
Currently, with only one year’s worth of data, Sebago Lake loon population trends cannot be analyzed. The goal is to keep monitoring this lake each year so that there is enough data.
McCurtain says the reason Sebago Lake counting only just began last year is simply because it is so large.
Most ponds and lakes have three or four counters but Sebago needs many more to survey its 49 zones.
The size of the lake poses another issue which is that these survey zones can be tricky to navigate. This is especially difficult for the zones where boats are in the middle of the lake and have no shoreline to use as a point of reference.
Counters arrive with different modes of transportation as they navigate using GPS points to their selected zone. Many choose to kayak, boat, and paddle board. Some are stationed on the shore to view their zones from land.
Deborah Kennie and Phil Clifford prefer using a small Boston Whaler to count loons in Zone 43 on Sebago Lake.
As second-year counters, they know their way around their zone. They also know their resident loons very well and know where to find these birds.
Part of the loon count includes keeping an eye out for nesting areas and Kennie says little islands with lots of vegetation make good nesting sites.
Clifford said that loons prefer areas with “easy water access, places to hide, and not a lot of traffic.”
Boat traffic is a problem during the Annual Loon Count and both Phil and Deborah see this firsthand.
On the morning of this year’s annual count on Sebago Lake, there were early risers who were wakeboarding and waterskiing on the calm water. But with their presence, the lake is no longer calm.
Kennie says this drives the loons into the Sebago Lake Basin, also known as Zone 44.
The basin serves as refuge for these loons which is why so many can be spotted here even on normal days. During the Annual Count, six loons were seen in the basin.
Loons are not the only birds that seek shelter in the quieter sections of the lake. Also present in the basin are Bald Eagles, Great Blue Herons, Cormorants, ducks, and many songbirds.
On the morning of this year’s count, two bald eagles were seen atop their nest on the shoreline of the Sebago Lake Basin.
Power boats are an obvious threat to the annual count but there might be hope for mitigation as people learn they shouldn’t boat on the third Saturday of July.
“That’s the goal. Eventually word will spread, and people will know not to disturb the loons during the count,” Kennie said.
It’s no simple feat to count these loons on Maine’s second largest lake. Thanks to the dedication of volunteers like Clifford, Kennie, and McCurtain, Sebago Lake has been counted for the second year.
“Rain, shine, wind, or rising interest rates, the loons are 'counting' on us,” McCurtain said.
Volunteers are crucial to this process, and “counting the loons on 30,000-plus acres and 45 square miles of open water with more than 100 miles of shore frontage, all in less than an hour, requires a dedicated team, he said.
The 2023 Annual Loon Count has concluded but there’s more to be done. Spreading the word about the count is perhaps one of the best and easiest ways to help the cause. McCurtain suggests telling your neighbors that the count occurs on the third Saturday of July yearly so that boat traffic can be minimized.
The Maine Audubon welcomes all volunteers to be a part of this project and to count loons next year. Visit https://maineaudubon.org/projects/loons/annual-loon-count/ to get involved. <
Currently, with only one year’s worth of data, Sebago Lake loon population trends cannot be analyzed. The goal is to keep monitoring this lake each year so that there is enough data.
McCurtain says the reason Sebago Lake counting only just began last year is simply because it is so large.
Most ponds and lakes have three or four counters but Sebago needs many more to survey its 49 zones.
The size of the lake poses another issue which is that these survey zones can be tricky to navigate. This is especially difficult for the zones where boats are in the middle of the lake and have no shoreline to use as a point of reference.
Counters arrive with different modes of transportation as they navigate using GPS points to their selected zone. Many choose to kayak, boat, and paddle board. Some are stationed on the shore to view their zones from land.
Deborah Kennie and Phil Clifford prefer using a small Boston Whaler to count loons in Zone 43 on Sebago Lake.
As second-year counters, they know their way around their zone. They also know their resident loons very well and know where to find these birds.
Part of the loon count includes keeping an eye out for nesting areas and Kennie says little islands with lots of vegetation make good nesting sites.
Clifford said that loons prefer areas with “easy water access, places to hide, and not a lot of traffic.”
Boat traffic is a problem during the Annual Loon Count and both Phil and Deborah see this firsthand.
On the morning of this year’s annual count on Sebago Lake, there were early risers who were wakeboarding and waterskiing on the calm water. But with their presence, the lake is no longer calm.
Kennie says this drives the loons into the Sebago Lake Basin, also known as Zone 44.
The basin serves as refuge for these loons which is why so many can be spotted here even on normal days. During the Annual Count, six loons were seen in the basin.
Loons are not the only birds that seek shelter in the quieter sections of the lake. Also present in the basin are Bald Eagles, Great Blue Herons, Cormorants, ducks, and many songbirds.
On the morning of this year’s count, two bald eagles were seen atop their nest on the shoreline of the Sebago Lake Basin.
Power boats are an obvious threat to the annual count but there might be hope for mitigation as people learn they shouldn’t boat on the third Saturday of July.
“That’s the goal. Eventually word will spread, and people will know not to disturb the loons during the count,” Kennie said.
It’s no simple feat to count these loons on Maine’s second largest lake. Thanks to the dedication of volunteers like Clifford, Kennie, and McCurtain, Sebago Lake has been counted for the second year.
“Rain, shine, wind, or rising interest rates, the loons are 'counting' on us,” McCurtain said.
Volunteers are crucial to this process, and “counting the loons on 30,000-plus acres and 45 square miles of open water with more than 100 miles of shore frontage, all in less than an hour, requires a dedicated team, he said.
The 2023 Annual Loon Count has concluded but there’s more to be done. Spreading the word about the count is perhaps one of the best and easiest ways to help the cause. McCurtain suggests telling your neighbors that the count occurs on the third Saturday of July yearly so that boat traffic can be minimized.
The Maine Audubon welcomes all volunteers to be a part of this project and to count loons next year. Visit https://maineaudubon.org/projects/loons/annual-loon-count/ to get involved. <
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