A Loons nest (Submitted Photograph/Prince Albert National Park)

By Michael Joel-Hansen

Wildlife Survey

P.A. National Park calls for volunteers to help with survey

May 30, 2019 | 10:00 AM

Prince Albert National Park is looking for volunteers to help with a summer project.

During the summer months the park is looking for volunteers interested in visiting lakes and counting the number of loons they see. Shannon Poppy, a resource management officer with Prince Albert National Park, said getting more people involved is good for everybody.

“It’s really just a great way for citizens to get involved in conservation and we get a better idea of the ecosystem health of our lakes here in the park,” she said.

The loon survey is a national effort across all national parks and started in 1996. Poppy explained loons are a good species to focus on given they tend to be sensitive when it comes to their environment.

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“Loons are actually an apex predator and also very sensitive to things like lakeshore disturbances and pollutants in the environment,” she said.

As part of the survey, volunteers will visit lakes where the birds are known to be. In total 11 different lakes within the park are part of the survey. The count is spread out over the summer so information can be gathered from breeding time to hatching.

Poppy said in the case of P.A. National Park the population numbers for the birds have been stable over the last number of years. However, this hasn’t been the case nationally as population numbers dwindle in areas where the bird’s habitat is disturbed.

“Breeding pair percentages in all of Canada has gone down over 30 per cent, that’s a big problem,” she said.

People looking to get involved with the survey are encouraged to contact the visitors’ centre located in the park. All that is required of a volunteer is the ability to properly identify the bird.

Poppy said people don’t need to have a watercraft to take part in the survey as some of the lakes can be reached on foot. Those who do have their own boats are encouraged to use them to help with the survey.

“You’re contributing to conservation efforts as well as getting out there and getting some exercise,” she said.

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MichaelJoel.Hansen@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @mjhskcdn