MOULTONBOROUGH —  This year due to an early ice-out and record warm temperatures, many loons began nesting earlier than in previous years.  As a result more chicks will be on the lakes during the busy Fourth of July week, making them more vulnerable to disturbance as human activity increases on the lakes. People are asked to stay at least 150 feet from any adult loon with chicks they see so the parents can concentrate on feeding and caring for their chicks. If the adult shows any signs of distress such as craning its neck low over the water, thrashing about in the water, or vocalizing, people should leave the area as soon as possible.  Newly hatched chicks are small, dark and cannot dive so use caution if you are traveling by boat. Boat collisions are the highest human-related cause of chick mortality.

Studies indicate that a minimum breeding success rate of 0.48 surviving chicks per loon pair is needed to maintain the loon population over the long term. Despite record levels of management and outreach, New Hampshire’s loons achieved the minimum reproductive success required to sustain their population for the first time in six years during the 2011 season. Loon Preservation Committee (LPC) biologists are hoping for another productive breeding season this year for the state-threatened loon population.

The annual Loon Census will take place on Saturday, July 21, from 8-9 a.m. This mid-season count gives LPC a “snapshot” on loon productivity throughout the state and also helps us discover new territories.  If you would like to participate contact the Loon Preservation Committee at (603) 476-5666 or send an email tovolunteers@loon.org.
Loons are a threatened species in New Hampshire and are protected by state and federal laws from hunting or harassment, including following adults with chicks. If you observe harassment of loons, you can contact the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department at (603) 271-3361 or Marine Patrol at (603) 293-2037 for assistance. The Loon Preservation Committee also reminds everyone to leave lead tackle at home when fishing on the lakes this summer, as lead poisoning is the largest known cause of adult loon mortality in New Hampshire.

The Loon Preservation Committee monitors loons throughout the state as part of its mission to restore and maintain a healthy population of loons in New Hampshire; to monitor the health and productivity of loon populations as sentinels of environmental quality; and to promote a greater understanding of loons and the natural world.

This article was written by Terry Leavitt and appeared in the Laconia Daily Sun.