Hello and happy spring!
Since my last email, temperatures in New Hampshire have warmed up, snow has melted, and the ice on our lakes has begun to disappear. Loons have already returned to at least two lakes in southern NH! It won't be long until the loon nesting season begins again!
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The first loon to return to a New Hampshire lake in 2019 was spotted on March 27th. Photo courtesy of Maria Moralez.
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We've been very busy at LPC, and there are several important updates that I'm excited to share with you!
First, LPC staff and volunteer Bill Gassman (our looncam operator)
have worked hard over the winter to ensure that LPC's looncam viewing experience is even better this year. Viewers can expect a smoother video stream, as we’ve been able to increase the frame rate at which we broadcast. It should feel like you're right there at the nest with the loons! We have also been experimenting with improving the sound quality.
Over the last several years, we've been working towards making our looncam entirely solar powered. Having the option to use solar power broadens the number of nest sites that we may be able to share with you, as we do not have to rely upon a close source of electricity. We purchased new equipment over the winter that should help us meet this goal, and we can't wait to test it out and see how it works! We hope to have our first looncam streaming by early May! Stay tuned and check our
looncam web page
for updates over the upcoming weeks!
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Our webcams have provided incredible insights into loon nesting behavior in the past, and we're excited to make the experience even better for viewers this year!
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In other news, LPC hosted the annual gathering of the Northeast Loon Study Working Group (NELSWG) on March 20th-21st. The NELSWG meeting is a wonderful opportunity for us to share share ideas with other loon biologists working throughout North America. Highlights from this year included new methods of banding loons, the potential impacts of climate change on loons, the effects of contaminants on loon survival and reproduction, winter habitat use, and updates about the Fish Lead Free Initiative and LPC's lead tackle buyback program.
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LPC Executive Director/Senior Biologist Harry Vogel kicked off the meeting with a state-by-state comparison of loon populations and productivity in New England States.
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LPC's Lead Tackle Buyback coordinator Sheridan Brown presented on our Lead Tackle Buyback program. We hope that this program can be replicated to help protect loons in other states!
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The official start of the loon season is drawing near. To kick it off, we have some events coming up! Join us from 9am-2pm on Thursday, April 18th at LPC Headquarters (183 Lees Mill Road in Moultonborough) for our
Annual Volunteer Workday
! Come and help us build the rafts and signs that will help our nesting loons this summer! LPC will provide snacks and beverages, but please bring a bagged lunch. Work gloves and safety equipment (ear plugs, safety glasses) are encouraged, though LPC will have a few pairs on hand for use. Please click
here
for more details, and be sure to RSVP if you plan to attend! For those who are interested but cannot attend on April 18th, an alternate work day will be held on Friday, May 3rd.
LPC will be participating in
Discover Wild New Hampshire Day
on Saturday, April 20th. The event is hosted by New Hampshire Fish and Game and will feature several environmental and wildlife organizations from all over New Hampshire! Highlights include live animals, archery, fly tying, and kids crafts! Join us from 10 am-3 pm at 11 Hazen Drive in Concord, NH. For more information, check the
Fish and Game website
or follow the event on
Facebook
.
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LPC volunteers built several nest rafts and nesting signs during our 2018 workday. Join us April 20th to help make this year's new rafts and signs!
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We hope to see you at one of these events!
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Wishing you all the best,
Caroline
Caroline Hughes
Volunteer/Outreach Coordinator
Loon Preservation Committee
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Upcoming Events
Join us at NH Fish and Game Headquarters (
11 Hazen Drive, Concord NH
) on
Saturday, April 20th from 10 am- 3 pm
for
Discover Wild New Hampshire Day
! This is a wonderful family event to kick off your spring!
Join us at LPC Headquarters (
183 Lees Mill Road, Moultonborough NH
) on
Thursday, April 18th from 9 am-2 pm
for our
Annual Spring Workday
! Come and help make the rafts and signs that will be used to protect loons this summer!
On
Thursday, April 18th from 7 pm-8:30 pm
, LPC is hosting another wonderful nature talk as part of the
NH Audubon Lakes Region Chapter Nature Talk Series
. Join Andy and Beth Greenwood as they present on their travels and the animals they've encountered, in a talk titled "
Both Birds and Beasts, From Yellowstone to the East."
For more information, click
HERE
.
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Loon Preservation Committee | 603-476-LOON (5666) | www.loon.org
Loon Center Hours: Open Thursday through Saturday, 9 am to 5 pm
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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.
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