Protecting Our Loons and Their Chicks on Tripp Lake

On April 28, 2025, a loon nest raft was prepared, deployed and anchored at a location of about 20' from the shore of the southeast side of the island. Tracy Hart, a Maine Audubon Wildlife Ecologist, led the deployment and was assisted by Ava Hart, Lori Moreau, and Frank Federico.

There have been no loons nesting on the raft to date and Tracy explained that it could be several years before a loon will nest on it. Loons have been observed in the area near the nest raft.

It is best to stay at least 200 feet from the raft and minimize boat wakes in the area. We all look forward to seeing loons nesting on the raft in the future.

In a related story, did you know that a small group of volunteers have been counting the Loons on Tripp Lake every summer as part of the Maine Audubon’s Annual Loon Count? From 7:00 am to 7:30 am on the third Saturday of July each year, hundreds of volunteers venture onto lakes and ponds across the state to count loons. On Tripp Lake those early morning risers last year were Judy King, Judy Stone, Jill Mangini and Peggy Harris. The 41st Annual Loon Count in Maine found that the southern half of the state had a population of 3,146 adult Common Loons and 420 chicks123. Maine has the largest loon population in the Northeast. Below is a chart showing Tripp Lake’s Loon Count.

Tripp Lake Loon Count

Keeping Them Safe

• Obey the no-wake law within 200 feet of shore, and 300 feet for wake boats, no less than 15 ft deep water.

• Use lead-free tackle (good alternatives are made of steel, tin, and bismuth).

• Dispose of fishing line so it does not get tangled up in a loon’s feet or bill.

• If you live on the lake, use phosphorus-free fertilizer and plant shrubs as a buffer along the shoreline to reduce run-off.

• If you see a loon on a nest, keep your distance and watch with binoculars.

• Keep garbage out of reach of loon egg predators, like skunks and raccoons.