Glacier National Park Citizen Science "Loons on the Edge" Story Map

StoryMap documenting Common Loon conservation in Glacier National Park.

The haunting calls and stark beauty of the Common Loon are like no other. And, just as this iconic bird conjures up images of wilderness, its survival depends on the persistence of wild places. Due to their sensitivity to disturbance and their need for pristine habitat, Common Loons also serve as indicators of lake ecosystem health. Concerted management efforts, including habitat conservation and minimizing loon disturbance, are critical for the continued success of these remarkable birds.

Concern in the 1980s about Common Loons, a Montana Species of Special Concern, prompted management agencies throughout Montana (including Glacier National Park) to conduct annual counts during a single day event called Montana Loon Day.

Over the course of the next decade, data began to indicate lower reproductive rates in Glacier compared to the rest of Montana, which raised concerns about the sustainability of the park's loon population. Park managers needed a way to collect more thorough and reliable information.