by Kim Moe, Member, Loon Committee
END OF SUMMER NOTE: THE LOON COMMITTEE is pleased to report that all four loon chicks hatched this spring appear to have made it through the season! In the interest of maintaining this good record, we are suggesting you read the following material prepared by the Minnesota Loon Preservation Project.
DEALING WITH HARASSMENT OF LOONS
INTENTIONAL AND UNINTENTIONAL HARASSMENT of loons by humans is one of the most serious problems loons encounter each summer in Minnesota. Throughout the summer, pairs attempting to nest, raise chicks, and feed are bothered by the recreational activities of humans, but certain activities during critical periods can spell disaster for a summer's reproductive effort. In particular, any repeated disturbance of a loon incubating its eggs or tending newly hatched young can result in abandonment of the nest or the young, and means certain death of the young.
MANY OF US HAVE WITNESSED loons being harassed. Maybe a big powerboat towing water skiers comes roaring by a pair of loons with chicks; or perhaps we see canoeists quietly approach a loon nest, cameras poised; or, even worse, we see young people throwing rocks or shooting at a loon. For many of us, these actions make our blood boil, and we resolve to do something. But what should we do? What is the best way to deal with these problems? You may be considering one of two options:
FIRST, YOU CAN CONSIDER the "soft sell" approach, in which you try to make friends with the guilty party and explain the importance of loons and the problems loons have when disturbed by human activities. When approached in a friendly manner, most people will listen to you, and you may be surprised to find that the persons like loons as much as you do. They just didn't realize that they were disturbing the birds.
SECOND, YOU MAY CONSIDER the "hard sell" approach, in which you treat the offenders as criminals. The advantage to this is that you will definitely get your message across. The disadvantage is that the people will likely be embarrassed and perhaps a bit angry at you for chewing them out. In many cases, where the soft sell approach might have worked, the hard sell approach alienates people.
CLEARLY, THE SOFT SELL APPROACH is the best method most of the time. People interested in preserving loons should not be on a personal crusade to put everyone who disturbs loons behind bars. Rather, they should be attempting to win people over to their way of thinking.
THERE ARE TIMES when an obvious harassment situation should result in legal action, particularly when the same persons or groups are seen harassing the birds purposely and repeatedly. In these cases is it best to call a Minnesota DNR warden. You will be able to get a lot further in these cases if you follow this procedure:
- Carefully document the actions involved (date, time, location, boat registration number, actions, etc.)
- If possible, get witnesses to support your testimony.
- Call a conservation warden.
- Be willing to follow through to a court case.
SUCH CASES OF OBVIOUS HARASSMENT tend to be rare. Most often, the harassing persons are simply not knowledgeable enough or aware enough to understand the seriousness of their behavior. Experience tells us that when they are given a friendly message about loons, they can become the loon's best friends.
