The 4th annual "Yakking for Loons" event was a big success again this year, raising over $4,000 to preserve loons and their habitats in New Hampshire.  More than 50 participants paddled around the Green's Basin area of Lake Winnipesaukee alongside LPC Executive Director Harry Vogel, Senior Biologist John Cooley and Winnipesaukee field biologist Liza Wright-Fairbanks. Many thanks to Irving Oil & Curt's Caterers for sponsoring the event; to Wild Meadow Canoes & Kayaks in Center Harbor for donating a kayak rental for 2 and for offering discounted rates for other rentals, and to Curt Caterer's who fed the paddlers a delicious lunch upon their return.

A group of loons is counted through the fog during the loon census on Long Pond in Lempster, NH.  Photo courtesy of Ciay Misa.

The morning of the loon census was a little damp and foggy in many parts of the state--thanks to everyone who braved the elements to go out and count loons!  I am working on compiling the results so hopefully they will be available by mid-August.  

Later that day, Mother Nature worked in our favor and the predicted rain held off during our Loon Festival.  July 18, 2015, was also declared Loon Appreciation Day by the NH State Senate in recognition of these iconic birds.

Senator Jeanie Forrester presents a Loon Appreciation Day certificate to LPC Executive Director Harry Vogel at our 38th annual Loon Festival.

I had the misfortune of capturing a sick loon yesterday on Little Lake Sunapee in New London, NH.  X-rays taken at Weare Animal Hospital revealed a metal object in the gizzard and its behavior leading up to the capture were indicative of lead poisoning.  Once it is necropsied, we will be able to confirm the type of fishing tackle found inside the loon.  I have assisted with other loon rescues in the past, but this was the first suspected lead loon that I have personally handled.  I can't describe how sad I felt for this loon.  It did not really resist capture or put up a fight as I placed it into the carrier. And on the way to rehabiliator Maria Colby, it did not make a sound. 

 LPC, along with NH Fish & Game, and several other partnering agencies and organizations, have joined a region-wide initiative called Fish Lead Free to help anglers switch to non-lead fishing tackle. We are continuing to educate anglers before the new law goes into effect on June 1, 2016, banning the sale and freshwater use of all lead fishing sinkers and jigs weighing one ounce or less.  In addition to the suspected lead-poisoned loon above, LPC biologists have assisted with other loon rescues over the course of the summer.  Click here or scroll down to learn more.

 The 2015 "Swim" is less than a week away!  Come show the swimmers your support at the Sandwich Town Beach around 11:30 am on Thursday, August 13, as they complete their 7-mile journey across Squam Lake.  Proceeds from this much anticipated event go towards the Squam Lake Loon Initiative, to help understand and reverse the declines of nesting loons on Squam Lake.

2015 is shaping up to be another decent season for NH's loons. Come hear end of season results following one of our volunteer appreciation potlucks on August 18-20!  If you cannot make it to one of those events, full details on the 2015 breeding season will be available in LPC's Fall Newsletter.

 Have a great weekend, 

Susie Burbidge

Outreach/Volunteer Coordinator