Courtesy of Brian Reilly
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Loon Census Form

The 2026 loon census will be held on Saturday, July 18th from 8–9 AM. We hope you will participate!

Loon Census Instructions

  1. Only count the number of individual loons you see simultaneously. For instance, if you see three adult loons together, your count would be three. If you see a single adult loon on three separate occasions during the census, your count would be one unless you are sure they are different individuals. In the ‘Loon Observations’ box, be sure to note the direction in which the loons move or fly.
  2. If possible, please attach a sketch/map of census area and the location of any loons you observe.
  3. Please comment on loon activity observed at other times during the summer using the box towards the bottom of the form.
  4. It is CRITICAL that observations continue for the ENTIRE HOUR.
  5. Remember, a report of zero is just as biologically important as a report of 10 loons.
  6. Please submit your census observations by July 25 in order to have them count towards the final tally.

Loon Census Form

Use this form to document your loon sightings from 8:00-9:00 am on census day (July 18th 2026).

  • Observer Information

  • How many observers were in your party?
    Please enter a number from 0 to 30.
  • Please enter the names of all observers in your party. Please separate names with a comma.
  • Please provide contact information for your party's point person. This will only be used if we have any questions about your sightings.
  • Please provide contact information for your party's point person. This will only be used if we have any questions about your sightings.
  • Please provide contact information for your party's point person. This will only be used if we have any questions about your sightings.

  • Loon Information

  • On what lake or pond did you conduct the loon census?
  • Please enter the total number of adult loons that you saw during the full hour of the census.
    Please enter a number from 0 to 50.
  • For each adult loon seen, please provide information about the time you saw it, its location on the lake, and any behavioral observations. Example: 8:00 AM: 1 adult loon flew in from the east
  • Please enter the number of loon chicks that you saw during the full hour of the census.
    Please enter a number from 0 to 10.
  • Please include any observations about the loon chick(s) that you observed (location on the lake, whether it was with adults, approximate age, etc.).
  • Please enter the number of immature loons (loons 1+ years old, not yet in breeding plumage) that you saw during the full hour of the census.
    Please enter a number from 0 to 10.
  • Please include any observations about the immature loon(s) that you observed (location on the lake, interactions with other loons, etc.)
  • Please note any bald eagle sightings during the census and the loons' response (i.e. vocalizations).
  • Your sightings from throughout the summer are also valuable. Please comment on loon activity observed at other times during the season.
  • Describe the location or ideally, give the GPS coordinates (longitude and latitude).
  • Please attach any photos taken during the census (of loons, members of your party performing the census, etc.) or a map of the lake with the location of your observations included.
    Drop files here or
    Accepted file types: jpg, gif, png, pdf, tiff, tif, Max. file size: 512 MB.
     

    Loon Preservation Committee