Statewide surveys show Maine’s common loon population has generally recovered and is holding steady, even as individual lakes such as Pushaw Lake experienced low counts last year, according to Maine Audubon figures and longtime local observers.
Pushaw Lake’s low but familiar chorus
On Pushaw Lake, observers counted 22 adult loons and 6 chicks during last year’s Loon Count — the lowest total there in 20 years, a local resident and participant confirmed. Yet the lake remains a vivid part of summer life for nearby residents: loons call late into the night, sometimes loud enough to be heard through bedroom windows.
Statewide trend: gradual growth and stability
Beyond the local dip, the broader picture is more encouraging. Last year, volunteers reported a total of 3,174 loons statewide across southern Maine lakes, including 568 chicks. That overall total is more than double the number recorded when Maine’s first official Loon Count began in 1983, demonstrating long-term improvement in the species’ numbers despite annual fluctuations.
| Measure | Figure |
|---|---|
| Adults on Pushaw Lake (last count) | 22 |
| Chicks on Pushaw Lake (last count) | 6 |
| Loons reported statewide | 3,174 |
| Chicks statewide | 568 |
| Volunteer counters | ~1,800 |
| Lakes and ponds covered | ~400 |
How the count works — and how to help
The Loon Count relies on community volunteers who fan out across assigned waters and tally loons simultaneously at 7 a.m. on the third Saturday in July. Each volunteer counts for just 30 minutes, a protocol designed to reduce double-counting when birds move between neighboring survey areas.
- Next count date: Saturday, July 18
- Start time: 7 a.m.
- Survey length: 30 minutes
- Where volunteers work: Assigned sections of lakes and ponds across southern Maine
Traditionally, the survey concentrated on southern lakes because volunteer availability in the north has been limited; it can be difficult to recruit people willing to travel long distances to run a boat for a half-hour survey. Still, the participation of roughly 1,800 volunteers on about 400 lakes and ponds each year underscores strong community interest in tracking and protecting loons.
For coastal and inland residents who value loons for their sounds and as indicators of healthy aquatic ecosystems, the Loon Count is both a simple way to contribute to science and a practical tool for managers. Volunteers provide the ears, eyes and time that make the multi-decade dataset possible — and that data helps inform conservation work across the state.
Local residents who want to take part in the July 18 count should contact Maine Audubon or local volunteer coordinators to learn about assignments, training and safety protocols before heading out on the water.
— Fiona Merrill, News Block
