Kelly Thomsen

An article by the Northeastern Naturalist digs into the causes of lead poisoning in loons around New England and paves the way for conservationists and everyday people to make small changes that may help save these beautiful birds.

Across New England, lakes are dotted with these birds. They bob on the surface, slip underwater, pop up across the lake. On land they are clumsy and awkward but under the water they glide deftly and powerfully to hunt or to escape threats. They are intensely territorial of their nests and will fight to the death against an intruder. Their voices ring out, unmistakable, eerie, beautiful in their mystery. Loons are proud dwellers of the lakes, tucked into the New England mountains, among the pine trees and within the chilly, clear waters.

But these pristine lakes hide a killer, and one that does not come in the form of an extremely territorial loon. 

Read more: https://enst250.wordpress.com/2017/10/26/the-poison-thats-silencing-the-call-of-the-loon/.