MAINE PUBLIC • July 16, 2021
On Saturday, volunteers will get up early to carry out an annual count of the state's loon population. The citizen-science event, overseen by Maine Audubon, aims to get a snapshot of how adult loons and chicks are faring year to year. Staff Naturalist, Doug Hitchcox says the count can offer insights into how the birds are being affected by factors such as climate. Last year, the count identified about 3,000 adult loons and more than 400 chicks, and the population appears to be holding steady.