Save Our Loons
On Saturday, August 1, 2025, some of our Big Spider property owners were boating on North Bay of Big Spider Lake on their pontoon. They spotted a mother loon with 2 chicks. One of the chicks had been injured, most likely by a boat strike. Their grandson was able to recover the injured chick by jumping off the boat with a fishing net. They contacted the DNR and were able to have a rescue team come to their home and pick up the chick. The chick was taken to the raptor sanctuary, where they confirmed that it had most likely suffered a boat strike. There is a good chance of its survival, but it remains uncertain whether they will succeed.
There have been reports of jet skis chasing the loons and ducks. Be a responsible boater. Never chase loons or run motorboats or personal watercraft over areas where loons have been seen. Loon chicks are so small that they may drown from the wake of watercraft or be injured.
Our loon population continues to decrease every year. Here are several sites where you can help the loons and learn more about them.
Northland College Loonwatch
The Sierra Club
https://www.sierraclub.org/wisconsin/blog/2024/07/common-loon-symbol-northwoods
