MAINE SUNDAY TELEGRAM • June 27, 2021
A big anthropogenic problem for loons on lakes is from boats and other watercraft. It only takes one big wave to flood a nest. Second, the No. 1 cause of mortality in adult loons – 53% of cases during the nesting season – is lead poisoning. The lead that loons are ingesting comes primarily from two sources: jigs and sinkers. Often loons get lead in their system by eating a fish that has swallowed the tackle, but lead tackle that sinks to the bottom of a lake can also be easily picked up. ~ Maine Audubon Staff Naturalist Doug Hitchcox