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Minnesota's state bird,
the common loon, is
more at home in the water than
on land. Built like a torpedo,
it swims under water in search
of prey. Minnesota has more
common loons (roughly 12,000)
than any other state except
Alaska. |
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Loons are good indicators of
water quality because they need
clean, clear water to observe
and catch food. They are also
sensitive to disturbance and
lakeshore development, and are
indicators of the effects of
contaminants like lead and
mercury in the water. |
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Volunteer |
The
Minnesota Loon Monitoring
Program (MLMP) is a great
way to get involved with
wildlife, particular loons, on
Lake Miltona. The DRN monitors
loon populations with the help
of volunteers to improve
understanding of what our state
bird needs to maintain a strong,
healthy presence in Lake
Miltona.
Become a volunteer
(pdf) today and help monitor the
state bird. |
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Thanks to the efforts of
hundreds of volunteers, the DNR
has over 20 years of data. This
long-term data set gives the DNR
the ability to detect
significant changes in the adult
population and reproductive
success of the state's common
loons, and to anticipate any
problems that could jeopardize
the future of our state bird.
During a 10-day period in
the summer, volunteers count the
number of adult and juvenile
loons seen, and report these
observations for data management
and analysis. |
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Help Protect Our State
Bird |
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Loon
Nesting Areas |
The sign
pictured to the
left is posted
at all of the
public access
boat launch
locations. |
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- Do not approach loon
nests
- Do not approach loon
families
- Loons are a protected
species
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Pontoon Rentals |
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Loons don't begin
breeding until they are
three or four years old.
The male chooses a
territory and attracts a
mate. Together they
build a nest out of
reeds and grasses on the
edge of the water. They
take turns incubating
the one or two eggs.
After 28-30 days
blackish brown chicks
emerge from the eggs,
soon ready to swim. |
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Dead Loons |
The DNR is asking all lake
residents to report the findings
of any dead loons to your local
DNR office. They will confiscate
the birds for examination of
lead and mercury levels. |
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Local DNR Office |
Glenwood Area Fisheries
Office |
10 First Avenue SW, Glenwood,
MN 56334 |
(320) 634-7320 |
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Fun 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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