Alaska Loon & Grebe Watch
Monitoring
Program
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HOW TO
PARTICIPATE IN THE ALASKA LOON AND GREBE WATCH MONITORING PROGRAM: Surveying Loons & Grebes: Data Forms: Educate Yourself about Loons &
Grebes:
Click on a
thumbnail below to see a larger image. Click on the word “Listen !” below
each of the pictures to hear common calls.
Results & Reports:
The Alaska Loon & Grebe Watch is project of the Alaska Citizen
Science Program, a partnership including the Alaska
Department of Fish and Game, U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service, Chugach
National Forest, The Alaska Zoo, and The Alaska
Natural Heritage Program.
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How You Can Help! The Alaska Loon Watch Program is proud to announce its 20th
season, made possible
through the tremendous effort put forth by volunteers! This season, the Alaska Loon Watch is
spreading its wings and adding another high-profile waterbird, the
Grebe. The Loon and Grebe Watch Program is a volunteer-based effort
designed to collect valuable information about nesting Loons and Grebes in
Southcentral and Interior Alaska. This program helps biologists monitor
population trends and identify hazards facing these unique waterbirds in your
community. It’s also a terrific
opportunity to learn about Loons and Grebes, their ecology, and their wetland
habitats. Alaska’s Loons & Grebes: Alaska is home to all five species of
Loons, however, only 3 species are commonly found in Southcentral and
Interior Alaska: The Common Loon
(large body, black head with white “necklace”); the Pacific Loon (gray head with white bars
on back); and the Red-Throated
Loon (smaller, gray head, red throat patch). Of these three, you are most likely to see Common and Pacific
Loons. The remaining two loon
species, Yellow-billed and Arctic Loons, breed primarily in arctic coastal
areas. There are two Grebe species that typically reside in Southcentral and Interior Alaska: the Red-Necked Grebe (chestnut neck, white cheek patches), and the
Horned
Grebe (much smaller, yellow
eye patches). The Western Grebe and
the Pied-Billed Grebe are rarely found in Alaska. Both
Loons and Grebes are migratory bird species, spending their summers in clear, freshwater lakes and their winters in coastal marine waters. Loons & Grebes In Trouble: A decrease in Loon and Grebe
occupancy and productivity on lakes in the Mat-Su area has been documented
with data provided by Loon and Grebe Watch volunteers, raising concerns about
the stability of these populations and the various pressures facing
them. Loons and Grebes are an
integral part of wetlands ecosystems, and are excellent indicators of
environmental quality (clean air, clean water, and adequate open space). Habitat loss, due to the expansion of the
human presence in lake areas, and the contamination and pollution of once
pristine lakes, are two threats facing Loons and Grebes in Alaska today. Specific factors involved in
declines of Loons and Grebes in Alaska include: Litter - fishing line & plastics can entangle Loons
and Grebes as well as other wildlife. Use of Lead Sinkers - Loons may ingest these while
looking for small pebbles which aid in their digestion. Wakes by motorized watercraft - these
can destroy Loon & Grebe habitat. Getting too Close - If you see a Loon or Grebe
rising out of the water and running and splashing, you are too close. This may result in abandonment of the nest
by the adult, which may lead to the eggs becoming too cold and die or
introduce the risk of predation. Getting
Involved: You can become a
Citizen Scientist and help in the conservation of Loon and Grebe species in
Alaska. You can help gather
information for scientists on local Loon and Grebe species in your area by
following these three easy steps: 1. Monitor Loons and Grebes – simply write down your
observations along with the location of “your” lake. See Survey Instructions for Volunteers
2. Complete a Loon and Grebe Watch
Survey Form – See Alaska Loon and
Grebe Watch Survey Form
3. Return Survey via address or email
listed below – Contact us for a pre-addressed stamped
envelope to return your survey forms. If you are interested
in participating in the Citizen Science Program and aid in the conservation
of Loon and Grebe populations in your area, Please Contact: Tamara
Mills Alaska Loon
and Grebe Watch U.S. Fish
and Wildlife Service 1011 E.
Tudor Rd., stop 201 Anchorage,
AK 99503 Phone:
(907) 786-3517 Email: Tamara_Mills@fws.gov Or Dave Tessler Alaska Department of Fish and Game 333 Raspberry Road, Anchorage, AK 99518 Phone: (907) 267-2332 Email: david_tessler@fishgame.state.ak.us |
