The Maine Audubon Loon Count took place on Watchic Lake Saturday morning, July 20. The loon count is part of a coordinated effort by the Audubon Society to count loons on lakes both across the state of Maine and across the country. Nine volunteers from around the lake spent a half hour of their morning counting loons. We found 3 pairs of adults, each pair with 1 chick. That’s a total of 6 adults and 3 chicks residing on the lake. Data from Watchic will be contributed to the larger database to help scientists know more about loon populations and provide documentation for legislation.

Boat strikes are still the number 1 cause of loon deaths in Maine. Please be alert and aware when boating, the 3 chicks are not able to dive well or get out of the way, and they are small and brown and difficult to see. Be sure to give all loons at least 150 feet of space.