How Many Common Loons?
The Common Loon is the species for which we have the most reliable information on population numbers, because of its southern distribution and its overlap with human populations. Common Loon populations in Canada have been estimated at between 250,000 and 500,000 individuals. This number is based in part on figures derived for various provinces. Provincial populations have been estimated at 1,000 breeding pairs in New Brunswick, 1,200 breeding pairs in Nova Scotia, 35,000 breeding pairs in Quebec, and 97,000 breeding pairs in Ontario. These figures range from shot-in-the-dark guesses to more accurate estimates based on Breeding Bird Surveys or aerial surveys. Population trends of Common Loons are hard to determine due to lack of historical data. However, there are numerous anecdotal accounts of declines in the southern parts of the loon’s breeding range in Canada over the past 100 years. These are supported by reports of reduced breeding success due to human development and recreationa
