[SEMCO] Loon Lecture at Mass Audubon Wellfleet Bay

[Melissa Lowe]

For Immediate Release:
Contacts:	Melissa Lowe (Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary): 508 349-2615 or
mlowe at massaudubon.org

Loons: Wilderness Lost?

South Wellfleet, MA. –If you listen carefully the soulful call of a loon can
often be heard off the shores of Cape Cod in winter. These birds retreat to
the ocean waters around the Cape when the lakes in the north woods freeze
over. The haunting, yodel-like call of the common loon has made this bird a
symbol of wilderness. Yet, despite their symbolism, loons are threatened.

Because loons are fish eaters they accumulate toxins that move up through
the food chain. This places them at great potential risk. Mercury is one
such toxin that is a growing global issue. Cooperative studies conducted by
BioDiversity Research Institute (BRI) have found that New England’s loons
have the highest mercury concentrations in North America. Loons are also at
risk from lead poisoning, loss of habitat, and mortality due to the fishing
industry.

Lee Attix from BRI will highlight the loon’s natural history and elaborate
on these threats in a slide lecture on Saturday, March 27 at 1 p.m. at the
Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary. The lecture is open to the public. The
cost to attend is $3 per lecture for Mass Audubon members and $5 for
non-members. Registration is required. To learn more about the lecture, or
to register, contact the Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary at 508-349-2615.

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The Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary is located on the west side of Route 6,
immediately north of the Eastham/Wellfleet town line.  Trails are open daily
8 am to dusk.  Sanctuary admission is free for members; $5 adults, $3
children for non-members. Call (508) 349-2615 for information.

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Melissa Lowe
Education Coordinator
Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary
PO Box 236, South Wellfleet, MA 02663
508-349-2615 or mlowe at massaudubon.org
www.massaudubon.org/wellfleetbay