AUBURN – Maine Audubon is marking its 25th annual loon count on Saturday, July 19, as up to 800 volunteers survey lakes and ponds across the state.

“We’re very excited to reach this milestone,” said Susan Gallo, director of the Maine Loon Project. “Thanks to the dedication of our citizen-scientist volunteers, we have been able to get information about the loon population that has gone a long way for wildlife conservation over the last 25 years. It has helped build support for laws that keep our waters clean by reducing mercury and lead sinkers, and for outreach on how people can share the lakes with the loons who nest on them.”

“What’s really impressive is the dedication of our volunteers,” Gallo continued. Nearly 30 of them have participated in all 25 years of the count.

Volunteers are needed for this year’s count, which takes place between 7 and 7:30 a.m. on Saturday, July 19. Counters are given areas to count on the shore or by boat; regional coordinators compile the results and send them to Maine Audubon for analysis.

The 2007 loon count estimated 2,432 adults loons and 422 chicks in the southern half of Maine. While the number of chicks was the second highest on record, adults were down for the second year in a row.

“The conditions this season have been a bit more favorable for loons than in the last couple of years,” Gallo said. “There have been periods of rain but no dramatic storms to flood nests. We’re coming into the busiest time of year on lakes, though, so it’s important for people to give loons room and keep boat wakes to a minimum when they are around.”

For more information about the Maine Loon Project or volunteering, contact Gallo at 781-2330, ext. 216, or [email protected].