Please join Eric Hanson, the Vermont Loon Recovery Project Biologist, in exploring the natural history of the Common Loon at the Rutland Free Library at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, February 22.
Loons were in trouble in Vermont 25 years ago with fewer than 10 nesting pairs statewide.
Common Loon at Spring Lake Conservation and volunteer efforts have brought the loon numbers back to over 60 pairs in Vermont today, including 11 nesting pairs in the southern half of Vermont. Eric will discuss the threats facing loons and much about their fascinating behaviors and amazing natural history. The Vermont Loon Recovery Project is a program of the Vermont Center for Ecostudies and the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department.
As the loon population expands, volunteer and lakeshore owner assistance has become even more critical, especially in educating fellow lake users about “their” loons and what they need to be successful. Eric will also discuss the role of loons as an indicator of water quality, especially with reference to mercury contamination.