protecting maine loons
Maine is home to the largest population of loons in the Northeast, but Maine loons face threats both on breeding lakes and offshore wintering areas. The Maine Loon Restoration Project began in 2021 as a five-year project that aimed to give Maine loons better chances for breeding success and reduce threats to their survival. Funding was provided by the US Fish and Wildlife Service on behalf of the Bouchard Barge 120 Buzzards Bay Oil Spill Trustees to help recover loon populations following a 2003 oil spill off the New England coastline that killed more than 500 adult loons, many of which were likely from Maine.
Through a collaboration with Maine Audubon, Lakes Environmental Association, and the Penobscot Nation, Maine Lakes worked with hundreds of volunteers throughout Maine for five years to:
- place and manage 106 nesting rafts that hatched 78 chicks in breeding territories where nesting efforts have continuously failed; train 88 Look Out for Loons volunteers who helped spread the word through lakeside conversations and at hundreds of outreach events about ways to reduce disturbance to nesting loons and loon deaths;
- place 75 nest warning signs at nesting sites that experience high levels of human disturbance;
- track nesting outcomes and chick survival of more than 300 breeding pairs; and
- collect more than 600 lbs. of lead tackle and distribute tens of thousands of lead-free samples to reduce loon lead poisoning.
In 2026, the Loon Restoration Project entered a new phase. After five years of being managed by Maine Lakes, the project is now managed by Maine Audubon which endeavors to continue to improve loon nesting success and decrease loon mortality today and into the future.
TAKE ACTION FOR LOONS
You can take many actions, both large and small, to protect common loons on Maine’s lakes.
Educate Yourself About Loons
- Understand Loon Behavior. The Loon Preservation Committee website provides a wealth of information about loons and loon behavior.
- Read ‘Maine’s Common Loon’, a Maine Audubon publication that provides more detail about the natural history of the common loon.
- Visit Lakes Stewards of Maine’s interactive map and explore Maine’s loon lakes and loon monitoring data. You can use this site to learn more about loons on the lakes you visit.
Enjoy Loons from a Distance
- If you see a loon on a nest, keep your distance and watch with binoculars.
- Back away when loons display warning signs.
- When canoeing or kayaking, watch for loons, especially in shallow coves used as nursery areas and where loons have trouble diving to escape. Slow down when close to shore.
- Obey the no-wake law within 200 feet of shore, and 300 feet for wake boats, no less than 15 ft deep water.
- Avoid fishing for prolonged periods in secluded coves where loons may be nesting or feeding, especially in early summer when the eggs and young chicks are most vulnerable.
Fish Lead Free
Lead that enters our lakes as lost or discarded fishing gear is a leading cause of death for adult common loons. To protect loons and other wildlife, Maine state law bans the use and sale of lead sinkers and bare (unpainted) lead head jigs that weigh one ounce or less, or that measure 2 ½ inches or less. Sale of painted lead jigs weighing one ounce or less or less than 2 ½ inches in length will be banned in 2024 and it will be illegal to use them beginning in September 2026.
Maine Audubon provides lead-free fishing tackle and lead tackle recycling assistance for anglers and builds awareness of Maine’s current lead tackle laws. To learn more about this program, visit Maine Audubon.
Be Loon Smart
Our LakeSmart Program recognizes homeowners with a Loon Smart Merit Award if their practices protect loons and their habitat. If you are a lakeshore homeowner, contact Andrea@lakes.me to learn more.
Join the Maine Loon Count
Join a 40+ year effort to monitor common loons in Maine. Visit Maine Audubon for more information about how to take part.
become a look out for loons volunteer
This project aims to improve loon nesting success and decrease loon mortality. Trained volunteers engage in monitoring loon breeding pairs and their families, deploying and maintaining loon rafts and nest warning signs, and engaging in outreach and education activities. Visit Maine Audubon to learn about volunteer and training opportunities.
