Page 5 - VLA Newsletter Fall 2022

Lake Vermilion
Loon Count 2022
TBy Joanne Bergman, VLA Volunteer
he count this year took place on
the rain date, Wednesday July 13. Counters enjoyed a cool morning made delightful with
sunny skies and light winds. We reported 94 loons on the east end of the lake, and 99 on the west end, for a total of 193. That is 48 fewer than last year’s total.
Participants on the Pike Bay segment reported seeing no loons at all. Most of us have never experienced such a disappointing count; instead, we look forward to the certain thrill each time we spot a singleton or a pair. The thrill is heightened when we see chicks rid- ing on a parent’s back or following on the water. This year, volunteers reported 47 pairs, 67 singles, and 32 chicks in total. Compared with last year’s counts, we observed 10 fewer pairs and 27 fewer singles. But the number of chicks sighted dropped by just one.
photo by Susan Moore, photo contest entrant
John and Claire Zwieg had the unusual experience of observing a family of geese, the fluffy goslings just learning to swim. Observers also sighted a distressed loon near Ely Island. The adult loon was unable to fly, apparently tangled in a fish line. Barb Boutto re- ported seeing especially tiny loon hatchlings aboard parents, seemingly too small for swim lessons.
Volunteer participants took in stride the alterna- tive rain date, although the total number of partic- ipants was also lower than it would have been on
a good-weather Monday. With 29 counters on the east end of the lake and 24 on the west, a total of 53 participated.
VLA Caps
Wear your new caps proudly to show your support for your lake association. The price is right.
$15, plus $3 shipping for any number of caps to one address. Free local pickup. Check out the three style choices at our website www.vermilionlakeassociation.org/caps For more info, contact Sheri Sawatzky at 218-780-8178, or sherisawatzky@gmail.com Thanks for helping us protect and improve our great lake.
www.VermilionLakeAssociation.org 5