Preparing for the New Season: 2013

Michigan Loonwatch Materials

March 31, 2013: We are awaiting word of sightings of our Michigan loons returning home to their territorial lakes.  At this early time, they may still be spending time in the southern part of the Lower Peninsula, as there is ice remaining on many of our northernmost lakes.  Last year, 2012, the earliest loon sightings were recorded in mid-March; but this year seems more like a normal spring without the eighty-degree temperatures we experienced last year.

Spring also signals the time when those of our Loon Rangers who are Snowbirds return to their summer lakes and begin to provide for another year the monitoring and protection efforts so vital to the preservation of Michigan's threatened Common Loon population.  And for us here at "Loon Central" it means beginning to gather together the materials for the 2013 MLW Spring Packets to be sent to the Loon Rangers.  These are sent out each year with updated Manual materials, and Lake Report Forms as well as copies of maps provided by MI Natural Features Inventory.  The data and map copies, showing loon nesting and feeding locations, are then sent to MNFI for their important work in cataloging and helping provide protection for wildlife habitat.

Throughout the summer our Loon Rangers work tirelessly statewide in their efforts to protect the loons and their habitat. Pictured above are some materials that are part of the MLW Program's Loon Protection repertoire.  These materials are an essential link to educational and informational outreach to riparian owners and lake users, and are provided to the Loon Rangers to help in their efforts. (The large metal Loon Alert signs, however, are by order.)

We are pleased to welcome several new Loon Rangers this season, and look forward to working with them to protect and preserve Michigan's beautiful Common Loons!

           Remember, you can repetitiously study loons forever, but what they truly need is protection.

MLPA Newsletter: "Loon Echoes" Opportunity

          MLPA has a quarterly newsletter, "Loon Echoes", which goes out via U.S. mail and e-mail to our members and others interested in loon protection, the main goal of MLPA and Michigan Loonwatch. This newsletter is also made available at many yearly festivals and events, as well as at educational programs, throughout Michigan, thus enjoying distribution statewide, and to other states as well.  We would like to welcome donors to help support Loon Echoes, and in return we would allot a space in the newsletter to display the donor's business card or logo.  If you are a business that may specialize in lake-use products, water-protection landscaping, offer lead-free fishing tackle, loon-themed items, have "Loon" in your business name or just are interested in helping to protect this beautiful natural resource, the Common Loon, we would be happy to hear from you!  Please contact us: info@michiganloons.com.  Thank you!