Platform project for waterfowl
Wildlife association members hoping next year will show success
Loon nesting platform project enters second year.
The Port Morien Wildlife Association’s loon nesting platform project continues but next year will tell the tale of its success.
“We hope to see results by next year,” said Stan Peach, treasurer.
“We know it takes time when you’re introducing a wild animal into a new climate created by human activity. If it’s too new looking they won’t go near it. It has to get weathered and then look like a natural part of the environment.”
Association members believe the nesting process of loons all across the country is being affected by a variety of factors including shoreline development that reduces resting places, predators and acid rain. At one time a loon would have three to five chicks but now if one chick survives it is lucky.
Sparked by those concerns, a year and a half ago association members began to build nesting platforms — floating islands with safe nesting areas.
The platforms have been distributed on lakes in the Cape Breton Regional Municipality as well as in Mira, Framboise, Margaree and Cheticamp in hopes of giving loons a safe place to nest.
The association received an initial grant of $10,000 and a second grant of $7,000 from the Nova Scotia Wildlife Habitat Conservation Fund. The money was used for supplies and related costs.
The platforms are made by first building a raft of PVC pipe. Old potato bags are used to build a platform and sods and straw are placed on top, providing materials the loon can use to build a nest. The first year, eight platforms were put out and last spring another 10 were distributed.
Peach said although they haven’t seen activity around the platforms it doesn’t mean there hasn’t been any.
It’s not so much seeing loons on the islands — as the association tries not to disturb them — but rather evidence of use when the islands are brought back in for the winter, he said.
“When we bring them in we’ll see if there’s any signs of activity on them like feathers. An egg shell would be a great find but we’d have to get it tested as we wouldn’t know if it was a loon, a goose or a duck.”
Peach said they plan to bring the platforms to shore in the fall.
“We are looking to run this project three to five years to see if the loons show any interest,” he said. “This is not a bird that uses the same nest every year like an eagle does.”