| Upcoming Events |
Birding in Hungary
January 17; 7 pm
Butterflies
February 16; 7 pm
|
|
Loon Presentations
|
Did you know that an
LPC Biologist is available to give a presentation anytime throughout the year?
Please call LPC (603-476-5666) for more information or to schedule a talk.
|
| Contact Us |
|
P.O. Box 604
Lee's Mill Road
Moultonborough, NH 03254
|
|
|
It's beginning to look a lot like. . . New Hampshire! After the snowfall last week, and again last night, the ground is finally covered with a nice blanket of snow. We're expecting very cold temperatures this week so I'm sure most of our lakes will freeze over. Please keep us posted if you are still seeing loons on your lake, especially as the ice forms and the amount of open water decreases. The young ones often stay right until the last possible minute.
|
|
|
A young loon enjoys early December days on Pleasant Lake. Photo courtesy of Kittie Wilson.
|
In the last e-newsletter, I told you about a loon that we rescued on Halloween. It is still up at Avian Haven receiving care. The tongue lacerations healed well, but the damaged foot seems to be painful in cold water, causing it to haul out of the water periodically. Unfortunately, release plans are on hold for the forseeable future. Our friends at Avian Haven captured a neat video of the loon swimming around in one of their pools a few weeks ago. Check it out here. The loon gets around pretty well considering it is missing most of the webbing on one foot!
In other rescue news, a loon that was rescued in late September on Duncan Lake in Ossipee has successfully left the small pond where it was relocated. Loon watchers on Duncan Lake had discovered the loon beached, after noticing territorial disputes earlier in the day. LPC Senior Biologist John Cooley captured the loon and after a negative lead test, clean x-ray, and a quick exam showing no apparent injuries, released it on Little Pond (aptly named at only 21 acres) where it could be observed on a regular basis. After more than 2 months on Little Pond, the loon took off on December 3, just in time, as the next morning the pond was partially skimmed over. Thanks to loon watcher and wildlife photographer Mark Wilson for observing the loon in flight as it left the pond!
Thanks to everyone who came to our Holiday Open House on November 26. A great time was had by all! See below for a recap, including the raffle winners, and a thank you to the local businesses who donated food to the event.
In late November, we were fortunate to have Dr. Mark Pokras, veterinary pathologist and loon expert, perform a necropsy at LPC. He was joined by Dr. Brenda Stowe, a former veterinary student of Mark's and a Tufts veterinary graduate, who is interested in assisting with loons now that she has retired from her veterinary practice.
This adult male loon was found by residents along the shore of Long Pond in Eaton in mid-October. The necropsy showed that this loon had a severe fungal infection and a puncture wound in the abdomen, most likely the result of a territorial dispute with another loon. Often times, a loon injured in a territorial dispute is able to make a full recovery, but in this case, the wound did not heal completely before the infection took over. I know this is a little morbid, but the information gained from these necropsies is so important. Don't forget, it's how we learned about the issue with loons and lead poisoning.
On the very same day, The Nature Conservancy's Ted Williams wrote an article called "Recovery: Saving Loons from Lead Poisoning" for their Cool Green Science blog. Click here to read the article.
In case you need any last minute stocking stuffers, we have lots of neat and "loony" items for everyone on your list. Our store is open Thursday-Saturday from 9 am to 5 pm. Just a reminder, too, if you are shopping on AmazonSmile this holiday season, please select the Loon Preservation Committee from the list of non-profits and Amazon will donate a portion of your eligible purchases to us!
Happy holidays to you and your family,
|
|
 Another Successful Holiday Open House
Damp weather did not keep folks from coming to our 24th annual Holiday Open House on Saturday, November 26. Stacey Lucas was there again this year to paint faces and Buddy the Clown wowed the crowd with his amazing balloon creations. Squam Lakes Natural Science Center Docents Carol Foley, Judy Sniffen, Denise Moulis, and Rachel Cirincione had their discovery table with artifacts from local New Hampshire wildlife, Matthew Swain from Heritage Farm treated folks to horse-drawn wagon rides, and Santa made a special appearance for a few hours to visit with the kids!
|
|
|
The great-nephew of Scott Sutcliffe, one of LPC's early Directors, gets his face painted at the Holiday Open House.
|
|
|
|
Two beautiful horses arrive at The Loon Center to take guests on wagon rides.
|
Kids (of all ages) decorated a loon ornament that they could take home and everyone enjoyed delicious food from local businesses. Special thanks to Hannafords (Meredith), The Mug, Canoe, Moulton Farm, Winnipesaukee Bay Gulls, Hart's Turkey Farm, Corner House Inn, C.G. Roxane, Piccolo, Lakehouse Grille and Guiseppe's for donating the food. We would also like to thank Spider Web Gardens for donating a large wreath to The Loon Center and to E.M. Heath's for sponsoring the wagon rides.
|
|
|
Buddy the Clown selects the raffle winners at the Holiday Open House. He is joined by Loon Center volunteer, Denise Ferriman, who helped at the membership & raffle table during the event.
|
At the end of the open house, the 2016 raffle winners were selected. Congratulations to Bill H. of Southborough, Massachusetts, Audrey M. of Houston, Texas, and Chris C. of Tuftonborough, New Hampshire, who won the loon quilt, framed limited edition print, and the kayak, respectively.
A special thanks to everyone who supported our annual benefit raffle. It raised nearly $10,000, all of which goes toward our efforts to protect loons and their habitats in New Hampshire!
Save the date for the 2017 Holiday Open House: Saturday, November 25th!
|
|
| |
|
The Loon Preservation Committee is dedicated to restoring and maintaining a healthy population of loons throughout New Hampshire; monitoring the health and productivity of loon populations as sentinels of environmental quality; and promoting a greater understanding of loons and the natural world.
Sincerely,
Susie Burbidge
Outreach/Volunteer Coordinator
Loon Preservation Committee
|
|
|
