The Loon Influence
When I joined the Loon Project as a summer intern, I was extremely excited about the chance to spend the most beautiful time of the year in Maine. Nothing sounded better than getting to be on the lakes every day and escaping my Pennsylvania hometown’s humidity. After a month of being here, I can confirm it is exactly what I hoped for. There’s something special about watching a loon up close when the lake water is perfectly still and mirrorlike. As the weeks go on, I feel like I’m starting to understand the loons more, learning what different behaviors mean and anticipating their actions.
During my off hours, I’ve been getting to know the local area, but loons have still been in the picture. I quickly noticed the culture surrounding loons here. Loons are the poster child of Maine lakes, popping up at every local shop. I was at an antique mall the other day and lost track of how many loon trinkets I saw. I’ve also spotted multiple businesses with the bird as their logo. I find it heartwarming how much the region seems to cherish loons.
I can’t say I was surprised to learn that loons are the face of a Maine summer. They are incredibly unique and beautiful birds with their piercing red eyes against striking black and white plumage. While working, I’ve noticed lake goers find them hard to ignore. Many people stop to listen to their haunting call or watch the adults feed their chicks.
The best part about loon culture in the Belgrade Lakes region is the community that comes together to support our conservation efforts. I have already met so many kind people, excited to hear about our loon findings each day. It’s always fun to receive a detailed message about a loon sighting from a community member who took time out of their day to care about the birds. To me, loons represent a reason for people to come together, resulting in the continued health and happiness of the lake ecosystem. Whether it’s lending us interns kayaks, keeping a watchful eye on a section of the lake, or stopping the use of lead sinkers, little actions make a big difference in our progress.
As summer continues, I look forward to meeting more friendly faces and sharing my love for loons and nature with others. The encouragement from the Belgrade Lakes community has made coming to work each day easy, reinforcing the fact that people do care about the environment, and inspiring me to continue having a passion for protecting wildlife.
Alie Forker, Colby College Class of 2029, is one of two Loon Project interns this summer. Next week, we’ll hear from fellow intern, Katie Lutz.
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