Photo source: DNR Nongame Program

By Jayden Jech, Department of Natural Resources, Loon Specialist - December 28, 2023

As the snow begins to fly, and the ice begins to cover lakes across the state, you may be wondering, “where have the loons in Minnesota gone?” Loons that spend their summers in Minnesota typically begin their migration in the fall to the Gulf of Mexico and the southern Atlantic coast of the United States. At times, they may be flying at speeds greater than 75 miles per hour.

While loons are wintering in the ocean, they face both natural and human-induced threats. One of those threats is disasters such as oil spills. In 2010, the Deepwater Horizon oil spill caused loss of life and extensive natural resource injuries to loons and their winter habitat. In 2019, the Open Ocean Trustee Implementation Group began providing support and funding for a project focused on the restoration of loons in Minnesota following the event. Since then, the DNR Nongame Wildlife Program has been working to implement the Minnesota Loon Restoration Project with a goal to reduce mortality and increase loon productivity across Minnesota. To achieve this goal, project staff have been working with many partners on four primary objectives.

Objectives of the Minnesota Loon Restoration Project

1. Acquisition of loon habitat
2. Augmenting natural nesting with artificial nesting platforms (ANPs) in targeted locations.
3. Promoting stewardship of lakes and loons with the Loon Friendly Lake Registry Program.
4. Monitoring loons, project implementation, and project outcomes.

For more information

• See more about the Minnesota Loon Restoration Project.
• The Nongame Wildlife Program helps preserve and protect thousands of Minnesota wildlife species. See more about the Nongame Wildlife Program.

Restoration of Common Loons in Minnesota is funded by the Open Ocean Trustee Implementation Group through the Natural Resource Damage Assessment Deepwater Horizon settlement.

DNR note: With recent efforts in Minnesota to update the state flag and seal, many Minnesotans have commented on whether our state bird, the loon, should be on our flag and seal. Potential design submissions included a wide variety of loon graphics - including those with laser eyes - and have been a favorite topic in the flag and seal discussions in local media. While the loon is getting so much attention, we wanted to share some articles on our state bird's actual habitat and habits. Watch for another article in time for the spring with hints on what to do and not do on your shoreline to support the loons in your area.