May 5, 2025 Monthly Meeting: Chris Anderson on Common Loon Management in Washington State.
Factoid: Washington may be the only state in which Common Loons are known to overwinter on both salt and fresh water. The Common Loon (Gavia immer) was known to be a fairly common breeding species both east and west of the Cascades, but currently is listed in Washington as a “State Sensitive” species. Records indicate that Washington’s Common Loons were nearly eliminated due to sport shooting, loss of habitat and other factors including lead poisoning. A WDFW survey in the early 1980s found only two nesting pairs. In this presentation, Chris will describe the framework of cooperative conservation efforts dedicated to management of this species in Washington, with notes on territorial birds local to King County.
Chris D. Anderson is the District Wildlife Biologist with Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) for the King Co. area. The district is unique in being the most urban in the state – populated by many species of wildlife and one-third of the humans in Washington.