Speakers: Mike Meyer, Walter Piper, and Erica LeMoine

Loon experts Mike Meyer from Nova Ecological Services (and formerly the WI DNR), Walter Piper from the Loon Project, and Erica LeMoine from LoonWatch will discuss their current and past research and project, specifically focusing on Walter’s most recent findings about decline of the loon population and loon ABJ’s (adults banded as juveniles) and chick production, the potential impacts of climate change on Wisconsin’s common loons and the loon habitat model, the results of the Wisconsin Loon Population Survey, and possible intersections between these research subjects and project.  Discussion will cover the importance of volunteer and public participation and support in their research projects and LoonWatch’s citizen science programming.  If time allows, they will also answer questions about popular loon topics such as artificial nesting platforms, black fly outbreaks, banding loons, and any additional topics participating loon enthusiasts would like to explore.