Highland Lake’s baby loon will be celebrating its two-month (62 days) birthday on September 10. Kittie Wilson, the “Loon Lady” of Pleasant Lake and my volunteer mentor, writes, “An eight-week-old loon only has small tufts of down left. Gray contour feathers have grown in, and flight feathers are growing. Eight-week-olds are excellent divers and capable of feeding themselves now, although the parents still happily feed them. Your eight-week-old is almost as large as the adults now! Flying lessons will begin during Week 11.”
The partial results of the statewide loon census done on July 19 documented 203 nesting pairs. One hundred ninety-one chicks hatched, and at this time, 157 chicks are surviving. If we consider that most nesting pairs lay two eggs, under perfect conditions we could have had 406 eggs. Half of all eggs laid hatch.
The New Hampshire Loon Preservation Committee (NHLPC) reports, “Two-thirds of all nesting pairs are aided by a nesting raft, loon protection signs, and other NHLPC initiatives.” It would be wonderful if one of these years, our Highland Lake nesting pair would climb aboard the floating raft we have provided them with. This would ensure that fluctuations in water levels and waves would not wash their eggs away, as probably happened this year to one of the eggs.
A Close Call
The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department got a call from a fisherman on Highland Lake on August 4 reporting that he had a loon tangle with his fishing line. He had cut the line, but the loon was struggling to rid itself of the hook, line, and red and white fishing bobber.
Several residents on the lake saw the distressed loon and called me. The fisherman did the right thing to call Fish and Game immediately and report the situation. The other residents also helped with their reporting.
I encourage readers to report any concerns regarding the loons as soon as possible. It takes us all to watch out for them. Fortunately, I can report that the loon was able to rid itself of the fishing line by day’s end.
The telephone number for the New Hampshire Loon Preservation Committee is 476-LOON (5666). New Hampshire Fish and Game Department is 271-3421. Folks who are on the lakes should put these numbers into their contact files. Don’t hesitate to call in with reports.
Get the Lead Out
Another issue which threatens loons is lead poisoning from outdated fishing tackle. Loons are still dying on our lakes when they accidentally swallow lead sinkers and other lead-containing tackle. Lead poisoning is still the leading cause of adult loon mortality.
Please spread the word to anglers who you know, and be sure to buy only lead-free tackle.