Birds Canada continuing to monitor loon population
It doesn't get any more Canadian than the loon, a bird that is an iconic part of the northern Ontario landscape. But some people on Manitoulin Island say they aren't seeing them as much.
Ray Bernstein, who lives on the North Channel, said their absence has been a source of disappointment.
Loon family. (Steve Bencze/CTV Viewer)
"Typically, we see loons here all year, like during the summer. And this year, we haven't seen any," said Bernstein.
A photographer by trade, he built his Little Current house 13 years ago. Bernstein said seeing the loons on his property is part of the charm.
"I don't think they're necessarily gone from the region, but they're gone from right here," he told CTV News in an interview.
Kathy Jones, the volunteer manager for Birds Canada, said she's not surprised loons aren’t around.
"From my perspective, I'm hoping people aren't seeing very many right now because they should still be on the lakes," said Jones.
"There's only going to be one or two here or there."
Jones, who predominantly works on the Canadian Lakes Loons Survey, said loons are a long-lived bird and it's incredibly difficult to track the adult population.
Birds Canada knows there are fewer chicks and that has some people concerned.
"I think there's a lot of potential here for trouble (because) they are sensitive," said Jones.
"We know that they're very sensitive to climate change, we know that they're sensitive to warmer waters. They're a great species to see what's wrong with our lakes because if there's something wrong with the lake they raise chicks on, the chicks won't survive."
Because they live so long, she said adults can keep producing chicks for many years.
"Then suddenly you may not have many adults left because the adults are not replaced because the chicks are not surviving," said Jones.
"We don't know the population level well – it's not something we can track. We just know there's fewer chicks."
Right now, the loons are producing enough chicks to keep the population stable.
"We need 0.48 chicks per pair per year to keep the population going and right now, we're still above that, just slightly," Jones said.
"But what's going to happen, right? So we still may have enough loons coming back, we just won't have a lot of extras."
Birds Canada said there are a number of things people can do to protect the birds. Ensuring you don't leave lead in the bush is a big one.
"Lead kills," she said.
"If you can not only stop using lead tackle but engage your local stores to make sure alternatives are on the shelf. (Also) slow down on the water, so you're not interfering with loons and other birds on the lake."
Taking steps to ensure there's no soil erosion along your shoreline helps protect fish, the main source of food for loons.
"The loons won't be there if there are no fish," she said.
For those who don't live on the water, Jones said it's important to watch what you put into the watershed, including what you decide to wash your car with and any pesticides you use on your property.
It's advice Bernstein has already taken to heart.
"Especially the jigs. Forty per cent of loons die from jigs that they've swallowed, so I've actually taken them out of my tackle box and won't be using those anymore," he said.
Birds Canada said it's also looking for volunteers who are willing to help report and count the birds once spotted.
More information can be found on their website.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.