In the last E-Newsletter, I provided links to LPC's Annual Meeting and State of the Loon report. If you were unable to watch the event live, I'm happy to let you know that the presentations by wildlife photographer John Rockwood and LPC's Executive Director, Harry Vogel, were recorded and have been posted to our youtube page. Click here to watch!
The past few weeks have been busy for us at LPC—since mid-August, LPC staff have responded to several reports of loons in distress and have rescued four common loons. Two of these loons were tangled in fishing line. The other two seemed to be suffering from complications after getting into fights with other loons.
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The first of these loons, rescued on August 18th, was badly tangled in fishing line on Nubanusit Lake. The loon was reported to us by concerned lake residents, who noticed it acting lethargic and beaching itself. The loon was captured by LPC Field Biologist Elaina Badders and taken for veterinary care. Unfortunately, despite the best efforts of a team of veterinarians and wildlife rehabilitators, the loon's health was too compromised, and it did not survive.
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This female loon was originally banded on Willard Pond in 2016 and was rescued by LPC staff on Nubanusit Lake after becoming tangled in fishing line. Photo courtesy of Elaina Badders. |
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On August 23rd, LPC biologists responded to a report of another tangled loon, this one on Lake Sunapee. Thanks to a dedicated team of lake residents and volunteers who stayed with the loon until we could arrive, LPC staff were able to quickly locate, capture, and untangle the loon. The loon was given a health exam, including a test of its blood for lead. Since its lead levels were low and it was incredibly energetic in hand, the loon was determined to be fit for release. We banded it so that we can track its progress, and Lake Sunapee residents have continued to keep an eye out for it in the weeks since its rescue. So far, all appears to be well! |
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Here I am holding the Sunapee loon while LPC Senior Biologist, John Cooley, draws blood to test for lead. Looking on are Jay and Vivi Manning, who, along with their grandmother, assisted with the rescue. |
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On September 3rd, LPC received a report of a loon beaching itself. When he arrived at the lake, LPC's Senior Biologist, John Cooley, was surprised to learn that the loon in question was the banded male from the pair featured on our Loon Cam 1! The loon had been visiting a nearby pond (not the pond he nests and raises chicks on), and seems to have been involved in a territorial fight. The loon was transported to Avian Haven Wild Bird Rehabilitation Center for treatment and rehabilitation. After his rescue, our friends at Avian Haven reported that the loon recovered rapidly. Since he was eating voraciously, swimming and diving well, and blood tests and other diagnostic tests indicated that he was healthy, the loon was released onto the ocean in order to give him a head start on migration. In the time since his rescue, the loon's chicks have continued to thrive on their lake. At 12 weeks of age, they are capable of providing their own food, though they continue to be cared for by their mom!
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The male loon from LPC's Loon Cam 1 was rescued in early September after he got into a territorial altercation on a nearby lake and began beaching himself. After a brief stint in rehab, the loon was released onto the ocean. The looncam 1 chicks have not been affected by their father's absence. They are continuing to thrive on their lake, where they are still being cared for by their mother. |
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On September 5th, LPC was alerted that another loon was beaching itself, this time on Shaw Pond. After an hour-long search through the dense vegetation surrounding the pond, LPC Senior Biologist, John Cooley, located the loon on the roadside, where it had attracted quite a bit of attention from passers by! This loon was originally banded as an adult in 1998, making him at least 25 years old, but more likely 28 or older. He is currently being cared for at Wings of the Dawn Wildlife Rehabilitation, and we hope that he will be well enough to be released soon. |
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The Shaw Pond loon rests in a box after being caught by LPC Senior Biologist, John Cooley. The loon is currently undergoing rehabilitation. |
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We hope that these will be the last loons needing rescue this year, but if you see a loon in distress, please report it to us!
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On September 8th, LPC hosted a socially distant necropsy session. We were joined by colleagues from Vermont and Maine, including Eric Hanson of the Vermont Center for Ecostudies, Bren Lundborg of the Vermont Institute of Natural Science, and Dr. Sarah Spindell of Bridgeton Veterinary Hospital. In total, we were able to necropsy 7 loons in a single day! |
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Finally, I was a guest on The Exchange on New Hampshire Public Radio recently, discussing how our loons fared this summer as part of a broader discussion about New Hampshire's most beloved animal species. If you missed the program when it aired live, you can hear the recording here.
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Wishing you all the best,
Caroline
Caroline Hughes
Volunteer/Outreach Coordinator
Loon Preservation Committee
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Loon Preservation Committee | 603-476-LOON (5666) | www.loon.org |
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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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