Loon Update: How the Majestic Aquatic Birds Are Faring This Year

By Mark Okrant

Many U.S. states are home to special species of wildlife. The Dakotas have bison herds and Florida offers aggregations of manatees. Here in New Hampshire’s Lakes Region, the Common Loon is what residents and visitors want to see and hear. Much like their human counterparts, 2020 has been a challenging year for the loon population.

Common loons are one of five loon species; others are the red-throated, Pacific, Arctic, and yellow-billed types. A common loon has a rounded black head, black bill, thick black neck with white-striped collar, long and flat body, and black-and-white plumage in a checkerboard pattern. Male loons are 25 percent larger than females, although their coloring is identical.

Central New Hampshire is situated at the southern end of the common loon’s geographic range. For this reason, climate change has a very real impact on their well-being. Loons are migratory. They winter on the ocean, then arrive at the area’s inland lakes during the spring when ice-out has occurred, in time for breeding season to begin. Once here, they dive in search of an abundance of fish. Depending upon a season’s weather, loons will remain until late fall or early winter before returning to the ocean. Loon pairs have exhibited a tendency to return to the same breeding lake each year. They will mate with the same partner unless one of them dies or is otherwise displaced.  

In 1975, the Moultonborough-based Loon Preservation Committee (LPC) was created to address a growing concern about a declining loon population and the impact of human activities upon them. It became the central mission of the LPC to preserve loons and their habitat by monitoring, conducting field research, designing and implementing a management protocol, and educating the public. 

During a typical season, the LPC uses an extensive network of dedicated members and volunteers to monitor 330-350 lakes; however, this season, they monitored an amazing 375 lakes. Why go through all this effort? Loons serve much the same purpose as a canary in a coal mine—if their population is suffering, it is an early indication that the welfare of the environment is under threat.

Each year, the LPC team undertakes a census of the loon population. While a count of all adult loons is attempted, the best indicators are numbers of loon pairs and chicks. Overseeing this ambitious initiative is Harry Vogel, senior biologist and director of the LPC. For the past 22 years, Vogel, his staff, and volunteers have spent many waking hours attempting to ensure the health and productivity of the adult and chick loon population is restored and maintained.

Asked to appraise the present season, Vogel described it as a “mixed year” and one of the most challenging ones in recent memory. This season, people in the field counted 320 loon pairs (and perhaps a few more). If this number holds after the census is finalized, it will represent a two percent increase in the number of pairs compared to 2019. Vogel indicated it is easiest to count loon pairs as they are territorial, as opposed to single loons that are scattered throughout the waterways within the region.  

Vogel cited one of the key parameters of reproductive success: “We need 0.48 chicks per adult pair per year to maintain the loon population.” That is a figure the LPC has achieved during six of the last 10 years. This year’s figure—0.47 chicks—fell just short of the LPC’s goal. While Vogel did not mask his disappointment, he remains proud of the fact that their 10-year average remains over 0.48. 

So, what were some of the causes and effects of this “mixed year”? There certainly have been many positives. Approximately 33 percent of chicks hatched in the region this year came from the multitude of loon hatching nests, or floating platforms, built and distributed by the LPC. Nesting loons face a number of challenges during their 28-day incubation period. Among these, the most serious is human-induced water level changes. Fluctuations in the lakes can cause eggs to be washed away or become unreachable by parent loons. On the other hand, the nests built by the LPC continue to float regardless of changes in water conditions. Therefore, the loon hatching nests are an excellent alternative to traditional nesting sites that are under continuous threat from recreational water use, shoreline development, or scavenging wildlife. 

Another success story was protection provided in the form of ropes and signage. It is estimated that more than 100 nesting loon pairs were protected from approaching humans, thereby remaining with their eggs, and later, with their hatchlings. 

Other achievements include informing dam owners and operators about the loon nesting season. In each case, those people complied with the LPC’s request to maintain water level stability. Additionally, the LPC had a successful season of banding loons, and took blood samples in an effort to identify genetics and disease. Finally, hidden cameras were placed in strategic locations where potential threats exist.

Among challenges faced by the LPC, several were a consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic. It has been a very difficult year to find enough private boaters to transport field biologists to sites. Paradoxically, another factor has been the presence of a surprising number of recreation boaters on the lakes. With other forms of recreation temporarily absent, boating activity appears to be at an all-time high this summer. As a consequence, uninformed boaters present a constant threat to nesting and swimming loons. Vogel discussed a phenomenon called wakeboard boating. Wakeboard boats are designed to create a large, specially shaped wake that cause water skis or tubes to jump from side to side so aerial tricks can be performed. Unfortunately, when the wake hits the shoreline, it can cause erosion and wash away natural loon nests.  

The LPC is fighting an ongoing battle against lead sinkers and lead-headed jigs. These antiquated forms of fishing tackle have a deadly effect upon loons and other forms of wildlife. Already this year, the state has lost three loons to this toxin. Owing to the LPC and other environmental organizations, lead sinkers and lead-headed jigs have been banned for sale and use within the state. Moreover, its lead tackle buy-back program in cooperation with fishing tackle retailers is being effective. Fishermen who are interested in exchanging their lead equipment should go to www.loonsafe.org; a $10.00 voucher will be provided to participants.

If you’re fortunate enough to hear the haunting wail of a loon, the memory of that sound will never leave you. Owing to enormous effort by the Loon Preservation Committee, the struggle to maintain and expand common loon populations continues. To meet its future challenges, the LPC is raising funds to build a new conference, library and office space, to expand lab space, to create a collaborative living/work area, and to provide more room for storage. A capital drive entitled the Campaign for the Future has raised $1.75 million toward its target of $2 million.

For more information or to contribute to the Campaign for the Future, contact Harry Vogel at hvogel@loon.org, or call 603-476-5666.