It’s a bird often associated with the state of Minnesota. But, experts say more loons may be moving into our neck of the woods.

This month, biologists started searching for common loons – and their nests – in central Wisconsin. It’s a survey they say could help illustrate the effects of climate change.

"We're surveying about a 13 county area,” said Research Wildlife Biologist Kevin Kenow.

He says three biologists are covering 80 lakes and cranberry marshes across central Wisconsin.

"Its part of a larger study funded by the Focus on Energy group of Wisconsin to look at impacts of climate change on lake-dependent wildlife,” Kenow said. “[Loons] are an indicator of eco-system health."

Kenow says similar loon surveys have been done in northern Wisconsin. But, this is the first time such an intensive study has taken place in central Wisconsin."

"Loons at one time nested as far south as northern Illinois and over time their range has been pushed north,” Kenow said.

Cranberry farmer Craige Scott opened his marsh to the study.

"I'm interested in loons,” Scott said. “I'm interested in all the wildlife."

He says he first started seeing more loons on his land a few years back.

"When the loons migrated into this area it was quite interesting because you're watching something and still don't quite know why it's going on,” he said.

That’s a question Kenow and his team hope to answer.

"I think a lot of it has to do with the changes of the lakes in southern Wisconsin,” Kenow said. “Changes in water quality, lake shore development, changes in fisheries."

Keeping a watchful eye on a beloved bird.

So far, Kenow says biologists have found loon activity on 20 of the 80 lakes and marshes they’re studying.

He says they’ll check on the birds once a week to keep track of their activity.