New research shows a worrying decline in Common Loon populations. But there’s more to the story than numbers. Matt Fuirst and Doug Tozer talk us through their findings: what’s changing on our lakes, how loons are impacted, and how a massive volunteer effort has driven the research.

Amidst some heavy news, there’s also plenty of bird joy. Matt and Doug share their favourite moments with loons, and tell us what these iconic birds might be saying when their incredible calls ring out across the lake.

Read the full paper published on FACETS, or get the shorter blog here.

Matthew Fuirst is a Research Ecologist and Observatory Manager at Birds Canada. He has spent the last 14 years studying the demography and movement ecology of birds around the world. He received a Masters in Marine Science from Stony Brook University where he studied the foraging and microbial ecology of America Herring Gulls. For his PhD at the University of Guelph, Matthew studied Canada Jays in Algonquin Provincial Park where he examined the role of dispersal in population dynamics. Currently, he is responsible for overseeing the research at Long Point Bird Observatory, aspects of the Canadian Migration Monitoring Network, and collaborative studies with the Canadian Lakes Loon Survey.

Doug Tozer is Director, Waterbirds and Wetlands at Birds Canada. He grew up in the heart of loon country in and around Algonquin Provincial Park, Ontario, Canada, and has been studying birds and bird conservation for over 35 years. He received a MSc and PhD from Trent University, Peterborough, Ontario, for which he studied marsh birds and Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers, respectively. Currently at Birds Canada he leads the Canadian Lakes Loon Survey, Great Lakes Marsh Monitoring Program, and Long Point Waterfowl and Wetlands Research Program; and he co-chairs the Loon and Diver Research Working Group, an international collaboration of over 30 researchers that investigates the potential reasons for Common Loon population declines.

Andrea Gress (she/her) secretly thinks Piping Plovers are better than all the other birds...studied Renewable Resource Management at the University of Saskatchewan. She pivoted towards birds, after an internship in South Africa. Upon returning, she worked with Piping Plovers in Saskatchewan, and then as the Ontario Piping Plover Coordinator. Years of sharing her love of plovers with beach goers has turned into a full time communications role with Birds Canada.

Support the show

From the coffee in your cup to the seafood on your plate, the products we buy can have a surprising impact on birds and their habitats. First David Pritchard walks us through the impact of coffee and why he started Birds and Beans, Canada's first bird-friendly coffee company. Then Dr. Silke Nebel, Birds Canada's Vice-President of Key Conservation Initiatives, helps us understand the impact of beef, seafood, and lumber. Silke also shares fascinating insights into greenwashing, and why regulations can sometimes make it difficult for companies to talk about their conservation efforts.

Visit Your Guide to Helping Birds at birdscanada.ca

David is giving listeners of The Warblers get 10% off Bird-friendly coffee orders from Birds and Beans with the code 'warblers' at checkout.

Search for the 1800 birds found in Brazil! Join Birding Ecotours for an ethical and thoughtful trip with expert guides. Check out all their options at birdingecotours.com.

David Pritchard is the co-founder, co-owner and roastmaster of Birds & Beans Coffee Roasters, a Toronto-based company dedicated to coffee that supports bird conservation. Together with his wife and business partner, David helped launch Birds & Beans after becoming interested in the connection between coffee production, habitat loss and migratory birds.

Dr. Silke Nebel developed a passion for birds while volunteering at a reserve run by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds in Scotland. She did her MSc research on Red Knots in the Netherlands, and PhD on Western Sandpipers at SFU. She has worked on bird-related research out of research institutes in Canada, Germany, Panama, the Netherlands, and Australia. In 2018, she joined Birds Canada, and is currently focusing on market-based instruments to protect grassland birds.

Support the show