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2021
Loon Nesting Platform |
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2021 Submitted
by Scott Rykken |
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MORE
ON Loon Nesting Platforms 2018 |
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Six loon nesting
platforms were deployed
on the lake on 2018, an
increase of four from
the previous year. Two
platforms had nesting
loons, and each pair
successfully hated two
young. |
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We want to add
several more loon nesting platforms in
2019. Depending on ice out, we hope to
deploy platforms by the end of April
2019.
Interested persons
should contact Tom Struthers
(952-451-3383) or Randy Hansen
(218-943-1204). |
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THANK YOU to
all the volunteers that not only helped
build the platforms, but also placed and
removed them. A special thanks to
Marlene Schoeneck and her Environment
Science class at Parker's Prairie High
School for constructing two of the
platforms. |
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PLEASE STAY BACK
As a reminder, during
nesting season, please
stay about 100 yards
away from a loon nesting
platform. |
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Lake Miltona Loon
Project 2017 |
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A platform as it is being built. |
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Tom Struthers and Randy Hansen
started a new project to build
and place loon-nesting platforms
in Lake Miltona. They started
this project in the Spring of
2017 by building two platforms
and placing them in the lake at
two different locations. |
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The loon nesting platforms are
built using 4-inch PVC pipe as
the flotation of the platform.
The platform is 5' x 5' and
painted green and dressed with
cattails around it to make it
look natural. The cattails also
act as an eagle-deterrent cover.
The cost is approximately $130
per platform. |
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One of the platforms was placed
in Tamarac Bay on May 7th.
According to the DNR
information, the small bay in
the NW corner of Lake Miltona is
the most desirable location. On
May 8th this platform has a
nesting loon, which subsequently
hatched two young loons. |
A second platform was placed on
the opposite end of Tamarac Bay,
but did not encourage a nesting
pair, presumably because it was
placed out too late. |
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Future activities include
removing and storing platforms
for the winter, monitoring loon
activity, and building more
platforms. The LMA Board plans
to explore how we might expand
this project.
Interested persons
should contact Tom Struthers
(952-451-3383) or Randy Hansen
(218-943-1204). |
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Completed Loon Platform |
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Protected from Predators |
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Fun Loon Facts |
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- The bones of most birds
are hollow and light, but
loons have solid bones.
- The extra weight helps
them dive as deep as 250
feet to search for food.
They can stay underwater for
up to five minutes.
- Because their bodies are
heavy relative to their
wing size, loons need a
100-600 foot "runway" in
order to take off from a
lake.
- Loons can fly more than
75 miles per hour.
- The red in the loon's
eye helps it to see under
water.
- Scientists think loons
can live for 30 years or
more.
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