Vermont’s loons have bounced back, but they still face preventable threats

As lead fishing tackle and wake boat activity continue to harm Vermont loons, scientists say simple changes can help protect the birds.

By: Grace Taylor

Outlets: UVM's Community News Service

Published: August 14, 2026

Words: 1,507

Last Updated: 1 month ago

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Via Community News Service, a University of Vermont journalism internship

Nearly 40 years ago, the common loon was not so common. The birds were placed on the Vermont state endangered species list after shoreline development and poisonings from leaded fishing tackle drove their numbers down to just a handful of nesting pairs.

Today, the state’s population has grown to 117 pairs and the birds are no longer endangered, due in part to dedicated …

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