By Darcy Thomas
Now is the time to view loons in NW Montana. These beautiful, fish-eating birds are enthralling to see, and Montana Loon Society would love to hear about your sightings. In fact, they are offering cash prizes for observations of banded loons or confirmed unbanded breeding loons. (Breeding loons are those with a mate, nest, or chicks.)
Two $100 awards will be decided by random drawing from all individuals who submit at least one observation. One drawing will be held mid-June and the other mid-July. Winners will be announced at the Montana Common Loon Working Group’s July summer meeting.
In Montana, the Common Loon is listed as a Species of Concern. Reporting your loon sightings can help with their management and support their population health. Loons are very sensitive. Please observe them from a distance. For complete contest rules and observation reporting instructions, visit https://montanaloons.org and select “Report Loon Sightings” from the menu bar.