2024 Loon Update
We had 3 nesting loons on our lakes this year! One is on the Lower, one is on the Upper, and one is on the bridge channel.
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The nest on the Upper Lake failed, and no additional attempt was made.
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The nest in the channel also failed. The loon was sitting on the nest for an additional 11 days past when the egg was due to hatch before the Loon Preservation intervened and came to collect the egg. After testing, the egg was not viable and would have never hatched.
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The nest on the Lower Lake had 2 baby chicks hatch! Unfortunately, after 1 week, there was sibling rivalry and one of the baby chicks was pecked to death by its sibling. The baby chick was found and brought to the Loon preservation for testing and was confirmed that it died from sibling rivalry.
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Additionally, 1 week after the 2 baby chicks hatched, an adult loon was found floating along the shoreline, dead, with no visible signs of cause of death. This loon was also brought to the Loon preservation, and it was determined that it died from Avian Influenza bird flu, an infection that some loons can fight off, but can cause death. The Loon preservation confirmed it was the mother loon of the 2 baby chicks. Since the death, the father loon has been extremely protective of the 1 baby loon chick that remains and they are flourishing, and seem to be adapting well.
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As of the end of August, the chick on Lower Lake stopped being seen. Unfortunately, we believe that the chick didn't make it due to being poorly nourished.
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AS A REMINDER: Please keep your distance from the loons.
2023 Loon Update
Lower Lake Loons
The Lower Lake loons had 2 baby chicks at the end of June. Unfortunately, 3 weeks later, the parents were seen abandoning one of the baby loon chicks on multiple occasions. Because of this, with the help of an SLA member and the Loon Preservation, the abandoned baby loon chick was rescued and rehomed to another nesting loon pair on Mink Island on Lake Winnipesaukee. Unfortunately, after 1 week of being there, the baby loon chick was found dead by a kayaker in the area. The baby was extremely malnurioused and did not survive.
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Even though we had a less-than-positive outcome with rescuing the baby chick from our lake, we did the right steps in the effort to give the baby chick a future.
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Upper Lake Loons
The loons on the Upper Lake did not nest this year.
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AS A REMINDER: Please be sure to keep your distance from the loons.
2022 Loon Update
Lower Lake Loons
The Lower Lake loons nested this year and had a baby chick. Unfortunately, a predator was on the lake, and to show their dominance, they killed the baby chick.
The loon pairs didn't re-nest.
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Upper Lake Loons
The loons on the Upper Lake did not nest this year.
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You may see a surplus of loons on the lake this year, at times a group of 6-8 loons. Since none of the loons have a baby chick or are nesting, they are not as territorial and can be seen together.
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AS A REMINDER: Please be sure to keep your distance from the loons.
2021Â Loon Update
Upper Lake Loons
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There is officially a baby loon on Upper Lake! We have seen the baby hanging around mom & dad.
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Lower Lake Loons
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There have been 2 failed nesting attempts for the loons on Lower Suncook Lake.
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The last failed nest attempt was over the 4th of July weekend with all of the rain we received. The nest flooded out 1 week prior to when chicks were scheduled to hatch. No eggs were found in the area of the nest to collect to send to the Loon Preservation. As we know there were 2 loon eggs on the nest, our best guess is a snapping turtle got the eggs or they drifted away from the nest location and were not able to be found.
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AS A REMINDER: Please be sure to not invade the loons while nesting.
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Loon Volunteers
We have 2 volunteers, 1 on Lower & the other on Upper Lake, that are in contact with the loon biologist throughout the year to ensure we are providing them with updates on changes in the loons' behavior & more.
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Loon Protection
Nesting Loons
For nesting loons, our rule of thumb is stay at least 150' away. However, loons are individuals and they all have their own idea of what is too close. If you come upon a loon on the nest, the first indication that the loon is concerned is that it will raise its neck up straight to get a better look at what is going on around it. The loon may also raise the feathers on its forehead (we call it a squared-off forehead). Either of these two signs are indicators of mild stress and should be taken as a warning to back away. If the loon crouches down real low and extends it's neck parallel to and over the water, it is extremely stressed and is ready to flush off the nest. If a nesting loon is in this posture, you are way too close and should leave the area immediately. A number of things can happen if a loon is repeatedly flushed off the nest.
1. The eggs may become inviable.
2. The eggs may be predated while the parent is off the nest.
3. The loon pair may eventually abandon the nest.
Swimming Loons
For loons swimming freely in the water, it is best to let them approach you. Here's how a loon will let you know you are too close to it, in ascending degree of stress:
1. It will swim away from you. If it does, don't chase it.
2. It will get a squared-off forehead (see above).
3. It will vocalize, using any of its calls that are more than a soft coo or hoot.
4. It will "penguin dance." It will raise out of the water, facing you, and spread its wings. There are subtle differences between a penguin dance and a normal wing-stretch. The best way to tell the difference is to look at the position of the loon's bill. If it is pointed up, the loon is just stretching and you will probably percieve a casual attitude. If the bill is pointed straight at you, more or less horizontal or down a little, and there is a lot of splashing of feet involved, the loon is doing a penguin dance and you are much too close.
Loons with Chicks
Loons with chicks need a little extra distance. Both parents have to put in long days to feed and defend their chicks. Any human interference will distract the loons from their chores and jeapardize the survival of the chicks. The same rules of thumb apply for determining when you are too close for comfort.
