e-Newsletter Vol. 49
In This Issue
"Save the Loons" Fishing Derby
Yakking for Loons

Upcoming Events

Little Loons in
Feather Beds
July 7; 7:30 pm
The Loon Center

July 8; 8 am - 12 pm
Lee's Mill Landing, Moultonborough

Dinner Cruise on
Lake Sunapee
July 12; 6 pm
Sunapee Harbor

July 14; 7:30 pm
The Loon Center

Loon Census
July 16; 8 - 9 am
statewide

Loon Festival
July 16; 10 am - 2 pm
The Loon Center




Photos by Kittie Wilson
LPC's Raffle is Underway!
Take a chance to win one of three great prizes.

 Click here for more information.

Drawing will be held at our Holiday Open House on November 26, 2016.
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P.O. Box 604
Lee's Mill Road
Moultonborough, NH 03254

 
Whoa!  Where did the month of June go?  It's hard to believe that July 4th is right around the corner.  Our field crew has been busy surveying their lakes.  They have confirmed more than 160 nesting pairs and so far 53 chicks have hatched around the state, with more expected to hatch very soon!
One of the first chicks to make an appearance during the 2016 season. Photo courtesy of John Rockwood. 

As we head into the busy holiday weekend please remember to give loons plenty of space.  If the adults are vocalizing or if one starts "dancing" on the water as a result of your presence, please back away so they can resume their normal activities.  We don't want them to waste their energy distracting us--that energy should be going towards incubating their eggs and taking care of their chicks.

Speaking of incubating eggs, the Loon Cam pair continues to sit on their inviable egg.  I've received some emails over the last week asking why we haven't gone in to the take the egg.  It is our policy not to intervene.  I know it's hard to watch but it's best to let nature takes its course.  As I mentioned in the last e-news, a pair on Squam Lake incubated their eggs for 84 days (average incubation for loons is 28 days)!

Sadly, we collected our first lead-poisoned loon of the 2016 summer season from Long Pond in Lempster.  Our Tufts veterinary intern, Travis, conducted a necropsy at LPC and found several pieces of fishing line and two small metal objects in the gizzard.  Both of these objects tested positive for lead and the loon's body fluid tested high for lead as well.  Two other adults and one immature loon were also collected over the last two weeks.  Necropsy findings show that the immature loon died from blunt trauma, one adult died most likely from an infection in its abdomen, and the third adult's cause of death is unknown because it was highly decomposed when it was collected.
Two lead objects collected from the gizzard of a deceased loon collected on Long Pond in Lempster, NH. Photo: Travis Grodkiewicz 
 
The new law regarding lead fishing tackle went into effect on June 1, 2016.  We are really hoping that we see a decrease in the number of loon mortalities as a result of this legislation, but unfortunately we probably will not see immediate results until people clean old their old tackle boxes.  If you fish or know someone who likes to fish, please encourage them visit the Fish Lead Free website to learn more and to find out where to dispose of their old lead fishing tackle.

We have a lot of exciting and fun events coming up next month, a few of which I am going to highlight below.  Join LPC volunteer Kittie Wilson on July 7 for a presentation on "Little Loons in Feather Beds," a great way to kick off our Summer Nature Talk Series.  We are also offering a Loon Dinner Cruise on Lake Sunapee on July 12 with our friends at Lake Sunapee Protective Association (LSPA).  If you have been wanting to go on a tour of Lake Sunapee, now is the perfect time!  You just might get a glimpse of Steven Tyler's (Aerosmith) house, and as an added bonus LPC Senior Biologist & Executive Director Harry Vogel will be on board to talk to you about NH's loons!  Just a reminder that the annual Loon Census is on Saturday, July 16 from 8-9 am.  Keep your fingers crossed for good weather (last year was a washout in some parts of the state).  I hope we can break the record again for number of participants this year.  If you need a lake to survey please send me an email (volunteers@loon.org).  

Wishing you a safe and fun holiday weekend,

 
An attempt to Save the Loons One Fishing Derby at a Time.

On July 2, 2016, Ryan Buchanan, a high school freshman is hosting the 3rd annual "Save the Loons" fishing derby on Chocorua Lake. He became interested in loons at a young age after spending weekends and school vacations on the lake and in nearby Tamworth. Once he learned of the many loon deaths due to lead poisoning in New Hampshire, he decided to organize a lead-free fishing derby to help educate people about this issue. Ryan raised funds himself and contacted local businesses for prizes.
15-year old Ryan Buchanan, mastermind of the "Save the Loons" fishing derby, enjoys a peaceful moment fishing on Chocorua Lake.  Photo: Jen Buchanan

In addition to his interest in the environment and protecting an iconic species, Ryan has many other aspirations. After a brain tumor left his mother legally blind five years ago, he started volunteering with Team with a Vision (TWAV), a program that partners sighted athletes with athletes who are blind or visually impaired to train and participate in running events. His ultimate goal is to be a guide for someone in the Boston Marathon, but there is an age restriction so he has to wait for a few more years. In the meantime, he will continue to volunteer as a guide for shorter running races during the warmer months and as a snowboard guide during the winter months. Last winter, he was a sighted guide for his mom at a ski event at King Pine, helping her to qualify to go to Jay Peak, where she went on to win gold in her division. Ryan's mom and the other athletes that he assists would not be able to participate in these sporting events without him.  

The 2016 "Save the Loons" fishing derby will start at the Narrows Bridge on Chocorua Lake. Registration begins at 8:30 am and the derby runs from 11 am to 2 pm. There are four different age categories and prizes will be awarded in each group. All proceeds from the fishing derby go to the Loon Preservation Committee and the Chocorua Lake Conservancy.

If you cannot participate but would like to donate to his cause please click here.

Yakking for Loons

A Kayak-a-thon to support New Hampshire's Loons!

WHEN: July 8, 2016 (rain date July 11); 8:00 a.m. -12:00 p.m.

WHERE: Lee's Mill Landing, Moultonborough NH

REGISTRATION FEE: $12 per person*(includes a light lunch)

REGISTRATION DEADLINE: July 5, 2016

*Get pledges and raise money for the Loon Preservation Committee!

Raise $50 in pledges over your registration fee and get "Yakking for Loons" t-shirt!
  • Discount rentals available from Wild Meadow
  • Lunch donated by Curt's Caterers
  • PRIZES for the most money raised
Minors must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
2015 "Yakking" participants head out on one of two courses on Lake Winnipesaukee.

 Thank you to Irving and Curt's Caterers for sponsoring this event!
 
For more information or to register by phone, please call 603-476-5666 (LOON).  Or to download a registration form, click here.  To download a pledge form, click here.
The Loon Preservation Committee is dedicated to restoring and maintaining a healthy population of loons throughout New Hampshire; monitoring the health and productivity of loon populations as sentinels of environmental quality; and promoting a greater understanding of loons and the natural world.
 
Sincerely,
 
Susie Burbidge
Outreach/Volunteer Coordinator
Loon Preservation Committee