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Loons Give 'em Space

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@ Water's Edge - Loons
 
2021 Loon Nesting Platform
2021 Submitted by Scott Rykken
 
MORE ON Loon Nesting Platforms 2018
 
Loon Nest 1 
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.  
 
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).
 
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.
 
Loon Nest 2
PLEASE STAY BACK
As a reminder, during nesting season, please stay about 100 yards away from a loon nesting platform.
 
 
 
 
 
Lake Miltona Loon Project 2017
 
Lake Miltona Loon Platform
A platform as it is being built.
 
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.
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.
 
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.
 
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).
 
Lake Miltona Loon Platform 2
Completed Loon Platform
 
Lake Miltona Loon Platform 3
 
Lake Miltona Loon Platform 4
Protected from Predators
 
Fun Loon Facts
  • 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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