Racoons impacting loon population
According to Harry Vogel at the Loon Center, it is believed that the low number of loon chicks this year is directly related to the upswing in the racoon population. The racoons are robbing the nests of the eggs or chicks. The adults will fight as well as they can, but loons are clumsy and awkward on land, and not suited to duke it out with a four legged bandit like a racoon. Don't encourage the racoons.... try spreading powdered cayenne pepper over the garbage. Won't kill them, but they won't like it. Same trick for bears.
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