How to protect nesting loons and their chicks
MONTPELIER, Vt. (ABC22/FOX44) – Vermonters hiking and boating on lakes may be familiar with the haunting call of the loon, an aquatic bird that has been the focus of protection efforts. This summer, Vermont Fish & Wildlife (VT F&W) asks people to be aware of their habitats.
'Loons were removed from Vermont's endangered species list in 2005, but they continue to face threats from human disturbance during the breeding season and mortality from the ingestion of fishing gear,' said VT F&W wildlife biologist Jillian Kilborn.
Loons can become stressed when chased, even to the point of abandoning their young, so keeping a distance is important. Eric Hanson with the Vermont Center for Ecostudies (VCE) says a top danger to loons in the state are fishing lines left behind by anglers, which can entangle the birds. 'Loons will take live bait and lures, killing a few each year,' says Hanson. 'A few loons have even learned that anglers are a source of easy food, and just like bears, it is very important that loons do not learn this problem habit.'
Police: Black bears are prowling Colchester neighborhoods
Hanson also says that the 'no wake' laws requiring boaters to slow down to 5 miles per hour within 200 feet of shorelines help protect loons, because the strong waves caused by fast-moving boats can destroy loon nests along the shoreline.
Anyone interested in monitoring loons for the Loon Conservation Project can contact Hanson at loon@vtecostudies.org. Volunteers can also help out on LoonWatch Day, held annually on a Saturday in July to provide a loon population count. This year's count will be on July 19 between 8:00 and 9:00 a.m.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
Sprinkles of History: The Sweet Story Behind National Donut Day
Waco, TX (FOX 44) — It's more than free treats! We celebrate with sprinkles, history, and sweet deals across the country. National Donut Day was started in 1938 by Chicago's Salvation Army in order to honor the Donut Lassies that began serving during World War One. 'They served the men on the front line that were nervous, are scared about their days, and they brought them rations and spiritual advice,' Salvation Army Volunteer Special Events and PR Coordinator Sarah Femister said. 'Then by the end of it, there was nothing left but to make donuts. And they even fried them in the helmets, or anything they could find.' The reason behind using donuts was because they were cheap and a common comfort food. 'It was something sweet that could remind the men of home and hope and everything was going to be all right,' Femister said This year, donut shops are making sweet deals for National Donut Day. 'We released two new seasonal flavors – is going to be our Fruity Pebbles and our Lemonade,' Nightlight Donuts and Coffee General Manager Patricia Sidbury said. 'It's been pretty popular today, and we're offering 20 percent off of all donuts today, as well.' 'Everybody gets a free donut today, and with a free beverage,' Dunkin employees Amya Harper and Kimberly Starts said. The Salvation Army partnered up with local donut stores for National Donut Day to make everyone's day a little sweeter. 'This year we were lucky enough to partner with H-E-B here in town….and a few of our Shipley's to help us get donuts and donut holes to all of our first responders and community partners around Waco,' Feimster said. If you're taking advantage of the donut deals today, make sure to thank the Donut Lassies that inspired the holiday. The donut remains a lasting symbol of the Salvation Army's comforting support of our soldiers during both World Wars. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
12 hours ago
- Yahoo
Feeding Champlain Valley locations closed for the day
BURLINGTON, Vt. (ABC22/FOX44) – Feeding Champlain Valley will be closed fir an all-day meeting June 6, the organization announced. Locations including the Addison Food Hub, Northwest Family Foods and the Burlington Food Shelf will be closed. Regular hours will resume on Monday, June 9. Feeding Champlain Valley aims to increase and improve food access while providing a variety of resources. The group offers 'critical nutrition assistance to Vermonters who struggle with food insecurity through programs and services that include three Food Shelves, a Good Food Truck, Grocery Delivery, Meal Production, Food Rescue, Culinary Job Training, and an Online Market – all of which provide easy access to locally sourced foods that are culturally relevant and dietary specific,' according to their website. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
‘Fish with a Warden' lets aspiring anglers ask questions
VERMONT (ABC22/FOX44) – Vermonters who want a bit more confidence in their fishing skills might just need to ask an expert. Vermont Fish and Wildlife is offering four evening sessions where new anglers, or experienced anglers who need a refresher, can go out fishing with one of their game wardens and ask for tips, learn about different types of fish, or figure out fishing regulations. Fish & Wildlife announces statewide Summer Free Fishing Day this June Education specialist Corey Hart says the purpose of the sessions is to give the public a chance to have their fishing questions answered. 'We know many anglers have questions they would like to ask a warden, and we know many of our wardens also like to go fishing, so our Vermont State Game Wardens have teamed up with Forests, Parks and Recreation staff to offer Fish with a Warden sessions this summer.' Interested people will need to bring a fishing license and their own fishing equipment, and pre-register online at VT F&W's website. People who have registered for the program at a state park get to enter that park free while attending the session. How to protect nesting loons and their chicks The four sessions are scheduled to start at 6:00 p.m. and will each last an hour or possibly longer. The dates are: June 26 – Kill Kare State Park in St. Albans July 24 – Shaftsbury State Park in Shaftsbury August 7 – Ricker Mills State Forest in Groton August 21 – Little River Dam in Waterbury Each session is limited to 30 people. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
