This is Bird Note.

The call of the common loon is a symbol of the far north.

Hear a loon in a movie, and there's a good chance the scene isn't far from the Arctic Circle.

But common loons once nested as far south as southern New England, Ohio, Iowa, and California,

human activity and changes to the landscape in these more populated areas has made it harder for loons to persist.

There have been encouraging signs in recent years that common loons could make a comeback in the southern

parts of their range. Biologists have reintroduced loons to carefully chosen lakes in New

England, and in the Pacific Northwest, scattered breeding populations remain. They seem to like

decent-sized lakes with deep coves, good water quality, and plenty of fish.

You can help welcome loons back to the places they once lived by enjoying them from a respectful distance,

limiting the amount of boating on lakes where they're found,

avoiding lead fishing gear, collecting garbage that loons could get tangled in, and preserving vegetation

along the shoreline. Learn more about common loon conservation at our website, birdnote.org. I'm

Ariana Rimmel.

This episode is in memory of Miriam Williams of Seattle,

whose sense of humor,

love of birds,

and support of Birdnote

made the world brighter.