Loon Capital
Loon Capital of the World Mercer Wisconsin
Mercer is officially know as the "Loon Capital of the World". As you boat on almost any size lake, you'll see a nesting pair of common loons in the spring and summer.
Facts about Clair d' Loon:
Claire d' Loon was built in Sparta, Wisconsin by the FAST Corporation on May 22, 1981 and has been in Mercer ever since. The Loon is located along side the Mercer Area Chamber of Commerce, on Highway 51. Citizens raised $10,000 to help build her, and a local company donated landscaping where she stands today.
Claire is the 3rd largest loon statue in the world, outdone only by a floating loon in Virgina, Minnesota and the giant concrete loon in Vergas, Minnesota. However, Claire is the most unique with an interactive voice box for all to enjoy listening to the different calls of the loon!
Height: 16' tall
Weight: about 2000 lbs.
Gender: Female
Species: Common Loon
(Gavia Immer)
Flight Capabilities: She's cemented to the ground.
Swimming Abilities: None Whatsoever
Hobbies: Having her picture taken, playing in the snow and singing in the rain.
Facts about Loons:
The Common Loon is protected by State and Federal laws as a migratory, nongame bird. It is also a species of Special Concern in Wisconsin. Current estimates put the Wisconsin loon population at 3,131 nesting adults. This compares to more than 12,000 loons in Minnesota and fewer than 800 in Michigan.
Loons are water birds, only going ashore to mate and incubate eggs. Their legs are placed far back on their bodies, allowing efficient swimming but only awkward movement on land.
Loons are agile swimmers, but they move pretty fast in the air, too. Migrating loons have been clocked flying at speeds more than 70 mph.
Like many young birds, juvenile loons are really on their own after mom and dad leave at about 12 weeks. The parents head off on migration in the fall, leaving juveniles to gather into flocks on northern lakes and make their own journey south a few weeks later. Once the juveniles reach coastal waters on the ocean, they stay there for the next two years. In the third year, young loons return north, although they may not breed for several more years (on average they are six years old when they start breeding).
Mercer has the highest concentration of nesting loon pairs in the continental United States.
Loon populations are on the rebound, but some years, fluctuating water levels or biting insects can negatively impact their nesting success. You can help by staying away from the nests.
Don't throw broken fishing line in the water, and switch to non-lead sinkers. Lead poisoning from fishing tackle accounts for 20% of loon deaths. If a loon swims near your boat, don't cast bait until after it leaves.
FEATURED EVENT
Loon Day
Over 250 Art & Craft Exhibits, Flea Market, Sidewalk & Bake Sales, Live Music, Lakeland Cloggers, Lakeland Barbershop Chorus, World Famous Loon Calling Contest, Raffles, Food & Refreshments, Street Dance The Night Before with Live Music
FAMILY FUN FOR EVERYONE!