They're back!!!  Loons have been observed on lakes in every monitoring region around the state.  Ice-out was officially declared on Lake Winnipesaukee on April 23 at 2:10 pm.  This was the 9th time ice-out was declared on that date since 1887.

Loon photos courtesy of Kittie Wilson

It won't be long before they start nesting, so please make sure to give them plenty of space.  The pair on Pleasant Lake in New London was checking out their raft yesterday!  You may recall that they were the first loons to nest in the state last year.

Male Common Merganser photo courtesy of John Rockwood

Common Mergansers have also been spotted on the lakes so if you see a flash of black & white, don't assume it's a loon. These diving ducks have bright red bills and are often seen in groups with multiple males and females.   

We're gearing up for our field season which officially gets underway on May 19. Our spring work day was a big success thanks to Libby Corbin, Lynne Hart, Norm Lesser, and Harold Quinton for their hard work cleaning and building!

Norm Lesser and Harold Quinton help Senior Biologist John Cooley build a new loon raft, targeted to boost nesting success where natural nests have been flooded or predated.  Photo courtesy of Libby Corbin.