Common Loon With Chick
When I first came to Alaska, back in 1976, nearly every lake in and around Anchorage had loons on them. Many had nests and raised young every year. As the years have gone by, I am seeing a lot fewer loons and very few that are nesting. Those that do hatch out chicks often loose them to eagles that patrol the lakes and snatch up baby waterfowl on a regular basis. Also, there are a lot more people that fish the lakes and have very little regard for the loons or where they nest. Over the years, I have stopped fisherman that were actually trying to snag the loons, believing that they were eating all the trout. Trout can always be restocked, loons can't! It is sad, but, I see our wildlife fighting a loosing battle. Just this week we lost a mother black bear with two cubs. She was never aggressive towards people, but, since she was visiting one of our cities public beaches and raiding the "open" garbage cans, they put her down. The city was at fault for leaving open garbage cans that thoughtless people filled to overflowing. Not to mention those that just left their trash on the tables or the ground, just leaving the beaches a total mess. So, the bear had to pay the price. 30 years ago this wouldn't have been a problem. Now, with the huge influx of people used to living in big cities it is. They see a wild animal in their yard and freak out.
One call to ADF&G and BOOM! the scary animal is no more! This happens way to often!
Being able to see wildlife in my yard and around Anchorage was what brought me to Alaska. It is a very sad day to see it all disappearing!
Common Loon With Chick
When I first came to Alaska, back in 1976, nearly every lake in and around Anchorage had loons on them. Many had nests and raised young every year. As the years have gone by, I am seeing a lot fewer loons and very few that are nesting. Those that do hatch out chicks often loose them to eagles that patrol the lakes and snatch up baby waterfowl on a regular basis. Also, there are a lot more people that fish the lakes and have very little regard for the loons or where they nest. Over the years, I have stopped fisherman that were actually trying to snag the loons, believing that they were eating all the trout. Trout can always be restocked, loons can't! It is sad, but, I see our wildlife fighting a loosing battle. Just this week we lost a mother black bear with two cubs. She was never aggressive towards people, but, since she was visiting one of our cities public beaches and raiding the "open" garbage cans, they put her down. The city was at fault for leaving open garbage cans that thoughtless people filled to overflowing. Not to mention those that just left their trash on the tables or the ground, just leaving the beaches a total mess. So, the bear had to pay the price. 30 years ago this wouldn't have been a problem. Now, with the huge influx of people used to living in big cities it is. They see a wild animal in their yard and freak out.
One call to ADF&G and BOOM! the scary animal is no more! This happens way to often!
Being able to see wildlife in my yard and around Anchorage was what brought me to Alaska. It is a very sad day to see it all disappearing!