See a Loon on Your Lake? New York Wants You to Report It

That eerie call echoing across a quiet lake is one of the sounds that makes summer in New York feel complete.

Now, if you spot one of those iconic birds while you're out boating, kayaking, fishing, or relaxing at the lake, you can actually help scientists protect them... and it takes less than a minute.

Researchers with the Adirondack Center for Loon Conservation (ACLC) have launched a new online Loon Observation Reporting Tool, giving everyday New Yorkers a simple way to report loon sightings anywhere in the state.

Your Vacation Could Help Protect Wildlife

You don't have to be a scientist or bird expert to participate.

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If you see a loon on any New York lake or pond, you simply drop a pin on an online map, answer a few quick questions, and upload a photo if you have one.

Once you're familiar with the tool, the entire process takes about 30 seconds.

Researchers say every observation helps them build a better picture of where loons live, where they stop during migration, and how their population is changing over time.

Even "No Loons" Is Helpful

Here's something you might not expect: Not seeing a loon can be just as valuable as spotting one.

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If you spend time on a lake and don't see any loons, researchers encourage you to report that, too. Knowing where loons aren't showing up helps scientists understand changes in habitat and nesting patterns across New York.

Why Scientists Need Your Help

Each summer, researchers visit lakes throughout the Adirondacks to monitor nesting pairs, eggs, and chicks. Some loons even wear colorful leg bands so scientists can identify individual birds and follow them throughout their lives.

Those observations help answer important questions like how long loons live, where they nest, how successful they are at raising chicks and how pollution and changing lake conditions are affecting them.

But New York has thousands of lakes and ponds, far more than researchers can visit on their own! And that's where you come in.

Loons Are Showing Up in Surprising Places

The new reporting tool is already helping researchers discover things they didn't know before.

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One recent surprise? Scientists learned that loons are breeding in New York's Taconic Mountains, something they weren't previously aware of.

The hope is that, as more people submit sightings, researchers will uncover even more unexpected nesting and migration patterns throughout the state.

Loons Face New Challenges

While loon populations have rebounded in many parts of the Northeast over the past several decades, they're facing new threats.

Scientists are studying how stronger storms linked to climate change can make lakes muddy, making it harder for loons to catch fish and feed their chicks. They're also researching how pollutants, including mercury and emerging contaminants like PFAS, may affect these sensitive birds.

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The more information researchers collect, the better they can understand what's happening, and protect these iconic birds for future generations.

Here's How to Report a Loon Sighting

The new reporting tool is currently available through the Adirondack Center for Loon Conservation's website. Right now, it works on computers, with mobile and tablet versions expected in the future.

The organization says the tool has only been online for a couple of months and has already received more than 100 loon reports from across New York.

One important note: This tool is only for recording sightings. If you find a loon that's injured or appears to be in distress, contact the Adirondack Center for Loon Conservation directly instead of submitting it through the reporting system.

So the next time you're enjoying a peaceful day on the water and hear that unmistakable loon call, keep your eyes open. Your sighting could become part of the research helping protect one of New York's most recognizable, and beloved, wild birds.