Vermont App Turns Birdwatchers Into Loon Scientists

Imagine tracking one of North America's most beloved waterbirds with nothing but your phone and a love of nature.

That's exactly what's happening in Vermont, where a new app called LoonWeb is transforming how scientists monitor the state's loon populations. For decades, loon biologist Eric Hanson relied on volunteers to count birds across hundreds of lakes, then spent hours deciphering soggy handwritten notes, voicemails, and scattered emails.

Now those passionate birdwatchers can log sightings in about 45 seconds. The app uses GPS tracking to record locations and lets users quickly add observations as they paddle across lakes.

Vermont's loons have quite a comeback story. In 1983, biologists found only a dozen breeding pairs in the entire state amid rapid lakeshore development. Today, they're thriving again, with last year marking a banner season for chicks.

But new challenges loom. Climate change is bringing more intense rainstorms that make lakes murky, making it harder for loons to hunt fish. Back in 2023, catastrophic flooding hit Vermont hard. The turbid water left chicks so malnourished that one went over a dam, too weak to survive.

That's why tracking population health matters more than ever. Hanson, who works for a local environmental nonprofit, simply can't visit every lake himself. He needs those citizen scientists, and now they have a tool that makes their observations count.

The Ripple Effect

The app emerged from an unexpected source: settlement money from an old oil spill. Rather than letting those funds sit idle, Hanson's team invested in technology that could multiply their research capacity.

Maine Audubon is already testing LoonWeb for their own bird surveys this summer. Hanson envisions something even bigger: a national database where citizen scientists across the country contribute loon data, creating a comprehensive picture of how these ancient diving birds are adapting to modern threats.

The time savings means researchers can focus on emerging questions. Hanson wants to investigate whether PFAS (forever chemicals found in waterproof clothing) are disrupting these sensitive birds. Understanding what loons need also reveals what entire lake ecosystems need: healthy shorelines, clean water, and thriving habitats.

There's something irresistible about loons that turns casual observers into devoted volunteers. Maybe it's their haunting calls echoing across quiet lakes, or the way adults tenderly care for fuzzy chicks riding on their backs. Whatever the magic, it's now easier than ever to channel that passion into meaningful conservation work.