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Loons are the spiritual bird of the northern lakes. To many the Loon is the bird that was revered in the now classic film On Golden Pond. If you have ever spent any time on the northern lakes of New England you have experienced that unmistakable and friendly reminder that these beautiful birds are still with us. There is no sound quite like the wail and song that comes from the Loon – it is both haunting and spiritual. These spiritual birds will not be here forever though unless we continue and expand the vigilance that so many are taking to preserve the Loon. This blog to provide an update on the progress of Loon Preservation as we conclude the 2008 season. The findings are both good and bad.

The Loons are still with us and this is due to dedicated work of many that have worked to preserve and offer safety to the Loons. In the New Hampshire Lakes Region we are blessed to have a dedicated group that run and operate the Loon Preservation Committee (LPC). For over 25 years the LPC has worked to preserve loons and their habitats in New Hampshire through research, management and education activities.

Now that we have entered the Fall months the data is in for the 2008 season from the LPC and it delivers a mxed message that is both good and bad.

First the good news. In total, the number of territorial pairs of loons increased from last year’s count of 224 pairs to approximately 240 pairs and the number of nesting loon pairs also increased slightly from 141 pairs in 2007 to approximately 160 pairs. According to the LPC, both these figures are record numbers. In our own Langdon Cove we witnessed a baby loon for the first time in the last ten years which was just marvelous. We also witnessed another marvelous development with the two baby Bald Eagles (Eaglets) arriving in our larger Moultonborough Bay. Nature does have its way and of course we learned that Eagles prey upon Loons so we hope for the best that both species will be able to cohabit through the remainder of this season.

Now the bad news. Numbers related to loon reproduction dropped. According to the LPC 125 chicks hatched and 95 survived, a number down from 2007. Overall reproductive success of loons in New Hampshire in 2008 was less than .4 chicks per territorial pair, less than the number identified by loon population models as necessary to maintain a stable population and representing the fifth consecutive year of declines in reproductive success of loons. The LPC staff also collected 54 inviable loon eggs this year and testing will continue as long as funding allows for the $2,000-per-egg-test.

According to the LPC, the number of chicks hatched statewide was influenced by poor breeding success on Lake Winnipesaukee, Squam and Umbagog. On Winnipesaukee, four chicks survived with two chicks on Squam Lake and one on Umbagog. As I reported earlier in the blog we were very fortunate in Langdon Cove to witness the survival of a chick this season. In total, seven chicks survived on these lakes, which ties the numbers from 1975 and 1980, the lowest figures ever recorded. The LPC said all three of these lakes have also seen dramatic losses of adult loons over the past eight years.

The LPC also collected 12 dead adult loons so far this year, which are being necropsied by veterinary pathologist Mark Pokras and other staff at the Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine to determine causes of their deaths. Initial results indicate that lead poisoning from the ingestion of lead fishing tackle caused the death of at least four of these loons — 33 percent of total adult mortality. The LPC said this mortality indicates state laws prohibiting the use of lead sinkers and jigs are not being followed. Additionally, preliminary results of tests done on a small sample of eggs collected from Squam Lake and three other lakes in New Hampshire in 2007 revealed levels of contaminants that have been shown to affect the health and reproductive success of other birds.

There LPC and concerned citizens have done much to address the preservation of our Loons. As evidenced by the 2008 statistics this good work is helping, though we need more effort if we are to succeed at preserving this sacred bird. Here is a call to arms to all who fish, boat, own property, swim and frequent the Lakes Region – we need you to live your lives in a way that will allow us to cohabitate successfully and we need you to spread the word to others the way to live. Together we can make an enormous impact to preserve the Loon.

Other Links of Interest about New Hampshire Loons and the State of Loons in 2008:

WCAX Loon Storyfewer_nh_loons_survive_chemicals_eyed_as_cause

NH Loons In Boston Globe

NH Loon Preservation Committee Web Site

Squam Lakes Science Center

On Golden Pond Movie