Town Beach Cleanup: Saturdays, April 22 and April 29

Volunteers needed, starting at 9 AM

By Janet Eklund

Volunteers are being sought for Town Beach cleanup on two Saturdays in April. The first is Earth Day, Saturday, April 22. The second is the following Saturday, April 29.   Volunteers can come anytime during the mornings on these days starting at 9 AM and help for as long as they’d like to. Bring leaf and […]

Fishing Derby Nets Sunshine, Fish, and Many Participants

Thanks to everyone for all the support

By Heather Wood
Fishing Derby Nets Sunshine, Fish, and Many Participants

  Andover Fish and Game Club’s Annual Ice Fishing Derby was held on February 5. The weather turned out to be perfect for fishing. We had a great turn out, with about 120 participants. We would like to thank everyone for all the support! Adult Division Winners 1st: Bill Coulter, 4.10 lb, 19″ Brook 2nd: […]

Population of Canada Geese on Highland Lake Presents Problems

An environmental threat and nuisance

By Janet Eklund

The resident Canada Geese populations have grown into major nuisances that threaten an environment to the detriment of habitats, golf courses, beaches and parks, water quality, public and private property, crops, and the health and safety of people.  They do not migrate. Geese are federally protected under the Migration Treaty Act of 1918. The resident […]

Eagle Attempts to Capture a Loon on Highland Lake

 Donna Baker-Hartwell of East Andover forwarded this video, taken by Earle Davis in early October, of a dramatic attempt on the part of an eagle to snatch one of the newer members of the Highland Lake loon family. It is believed that all members of that family are safe and thriving. If anyone sees […]

Highland Lake Loon Chicks Continue to Grow and Thrive

Flying lessons begin in October for flight to the coast

By Donna Baker-Hartwell
Highland Lake Loon Chicks Continue to Grow and Thrive

As of September 13, our loon chicks are 78 days old. They look almost as big as their parents.  It has been a successful year for our loon family. I have been keeping a record of the nestings on Highland Lake since the year 2000. Over the past 22 years, we have had 15 chicks […]

Highland Lake Loon Chicks Continue to Grow and Thrive

Swooping eagles keep loon parents on alert

By Donna Baker-Hartwell
Highland Lake Loon Chicks Continue to Grow and Thrive

On June 27, after approximately 28 days of nesting, two fuzzy light brown loon chicks arrived on Highland Lake. Because the nest is on the very edge of shore, the chicks tumble into the water and swim shortly after hatching. This year they seemed to hatch just hours apart. It is not uncommon for the […]

Loon Nest Watch Continues on Highland Lake

Chicks should hatch by June 28

By Donna Hartwell-Baker

Happy Summer Solstice! As I sit in my kayak on Highland Lake, on the longest day of the year, I can see that “Mother,” or perhaps “Father,” Loon is diligently sitting on the nest. It is a long 28 days of taking turns incubating the eggs. We do not yet know if there is one […]

Loon Preservation Committee Urges Public to Give Nesting Loons Space

Water's edge nests are vulnerable to threats

Press release
Loon Preservation Committee Urges Public to Give Nesting Loons Space

The Loon Preservation Committee (LPC) is reminding the public that from now through mid-to-late July, loons will be nesting throughout the state. Loons nest on lakes and ponds and often build their nests along the shoreline of islands, in marshes, or along the mainland shoreline in protected coves.  Adapted for life in the water, loons […]

Foxglove is Pretty, but Causes Reactions in Humans and Animals

Tall spikes with flowers are pretty but toxic

By Nicole Hook
Foxglove is Pretty, but Causes Reactions in Humans and Animals

Foxglove is a pretty plant, with tall flowering spikes of colors in purple, pink, yellow, or white. People consider them pretty and like to pick them or have them in their gardens. But their appearance is deceptive in that the plants are actually very toxic, to both people and animals. I learned about the properties […]