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Restoration of Gavia immer (Common Loon) in Minnesota—2024 Annual Report

Open-File Report 2025-1029
Prepared in cooperation with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
By: , , , , , , , , , and 
https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr20251029

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Abstract

In cooperation with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, the U.S. Geological Survey monitored 98 common loon (Gavia immer) focal territories and an additional 37 nonfocal territories in 2024 across 53 study lakes in Minnesota. Focal territories were those territories from which study inferences will be made, whereas nonfocal territories were observed to monitor common loon dynamics in territories adjacent to focal territories. In collaboration with lake associations and private citizens, we deployed 44 artificial nesting platforms within 44 treatment territories, and the remaining 54 focal territories were controls. We completed territorial surveys from April 29 to August 9, 2024, to evaluate occupancy, nest success, and chick survival. We attempted to visit each territory once a week. At least one nest attempt was observed in 41 of 54 control territories. Precisely one nest attempt was observed in 30 control territories, two nest attempts (first attempts failed) were observed in 9 control territories, and three nest attempts (first and second attempts failed) were observed in 2 control territories. At least one nest attempt was observed in 33 of 44 treatment territories. Precisely one nest attempt was observed in 25 treatment territories, two nest attempts (first attempts failed) were observed in 7 treatment territories, and three nest attempts (first and second attempts failed) were observed in 1 treatment territory. In treatment territories, 8 nests were on an artificial nesting platform; the remaining nest locations were natural. Chicks or other evidence of hatching were observed in 26 of 54 (48.1 percent) control territories and 21 of 44 (47.7 percent) treatment territories, with 7 of those successful treatment nests on an artificial nesting platform. This report includes no formal analysis, but we plan to analyze data after collection of all field data in subsequent years.

Suggested Citation

Beatty, W.S., Amoth, K., Fara, L.J., Gray, B.R., Hall, K., Houdek, S.C., Jech, J., Kenow, K.P., Wellik, M., and Yang, S., 2025, Restoration of Gavia immer (common loon) in Minnesota—2024 annual report: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2025–1029, 7 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr20251029.

ISSN: 2331-1258 (online)

Study Area

Table of Contents

  • Acknowledgments
  • Abstract
  • Introduction
  • Methods
  • Results
  • Benchmarks to Evaluate Project Progress
  • References Cited
Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Restoration of Gavia immer (common loon) in Minnesota—2024 annual report
Series title Open-File Report
Series number 2025-1029
DOI 10.3133/ofr20251029
Publication Date May 29, 2025
Year Published 2025
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Publisher location Reston, VA
Contributing office(s) Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center
Description Report: v, 7 p.; Data Release
Country United States
State Minnesota
Online Only (Y/N) Y
Additional Online Files (Y/N) N
Additional publication details