Loons

[SteveA]

From today's Citizen

This is a very sad story... I don't recall hearing that this has been a problem in the past?

http://www.citizen.com/apps/pbcs.dll...014/-1/CITIZEN

[secondcurve]

Steve:

Thanks for the post, it is interesting. While the story is sad, I wouldn't worry too much about it. This is nature's way of weeding out the weak. Fortunately, there are pleny of loons in our region.

[SteveA]

SC

I suppose your right.. but I do hope some of our Skimobile folks will keep an eye out for them.

According to this interesting website, it's not unusual for loons to strand. Sometimes on wet roads that looks from above like water.

http://members.aol.com/GaviaRCool/loonpage.html

[Lin]

Steve A thanks for passing along this article. What a tragic loss. I read the entire article and it sounds as if the Loon Center is worried that if these were a flock of New Hampshire loons that the impact of the loss of so many adult birds will have a major impact on the production of chicks in the next few years. I also don't think the figure 500 loons in NH makes them plentiful, Id say rather near endangered with all the habitat loss going on. The article didn't mention if they were banded to know where they came from. It's been some really topsy turvy weather patterns these last few years. We've got dozens of robins in our yard and woods in MA. Yesterday when I was out checking the river there was only one open spring just off to the side and the place was loaded with Turkey, robins and other birds.

[fatlazyless]

Today's www.cmonitor.com has a slightly different report on the same loon story and suggests the deceased birds could be migrating from the Great Lakes to the Atlantic. So, the loons were from Michigan, anyway. The front page photograph clearly shows them all wearing navy blue sweaters with a geat big, bright yellow 'M' on the front, for Michigan! Supposedly, the lead loon mistook the clean, snow free, black ice of Winnipesaukee for the Atlantic Ocean and led it's following column in for a very hard landing. This is terrible!

New Hampshire loons, after years of having to dodge all the nitwit high speed boaters are much too smart to make that mistake!

[WINDinmySOCKIES]

Despite what many think, loons are not all that plentiful in NH , and as the article states, they are threatened in the lakes region. They are easily disturbed while nesting and should never be approached with chicks. I consider them a gift to the region to be enjoyed and they should be protected. They were here first. We should all be become more educated about this beautiful bird.

[MomCat]

Loons are the unique treasures of our northern lakes--and they are not "plentiful." Those of us who belong to the Loon Preservation Committee are well aware of the many threats to the fragile loon population and their habitats. I strongly encourage anyone who enjoys watching and listening to the loons on our lakes to join the LPC and support its important work . An unusual incident like this is disturbing, but it's important to note that Harry Vogel and the LPC staff are actively involved in researching the problem. If you love loons, please be part of the solution by joining the LPC.

[secondcurve]

I spoke with an expert and he told me that a key reason we don't have more loons in our lake is simply that they need a tremendous amount of habitat per bird. In other words, we are never going to have 200 loons in Winnipesaukee simply because these birds need room to spread out. Again, it is truly sad when beautiful animals die, but that is how nature works. In the 160 acre pond I spend my time at, we always have 2-4 birds. The mating pair and 1-2 offspring. The loons will be back in force this spring.

[Lin]

Originally Posted by secondcurve

I spoke with an expert and he told me that a key reason we don't have more loons in our lake is simply that they need a tremendous amount of habitat per bird. In other words, we are never going to have 200 loons in Winnipesaukee simply because these birds need room to spread out. Again, it is truly sad when beautiful animals die, but that is how nature works. In the 160 acre pond I spend my time at, we always have 2-4 birds. The mating pair and 1-2 offspring. The loons will be back in force this spring.

Wow I'm now thinking about all the habitat loss we are seeing on our lakes nationwide as developers rush to fill all the available shorline with people vs wildlife. Some areas are meant to stay wild, not filled in wetlands to propagate housing.

[GWC...]

Originally Posted by Lin

Wow I'm now thinking about all the habitat loss we are seeing on our lakes nationwide as developers rush to fill all the available shorline with people vs wildlife. Some areas are meant to stay wild, not filled in wetlands to propagate housing.

Sadly, the LPC failed to share your wisdom, regarding the development of the Lees Mill area.

[SIKSUKR]

I saw the story on WMUR last night and they showed the dead loons.A fish and game officer had them in their office.A couple were frozen in a curled up state with their bills under their wings trying to stay warm.Sad to see but it is nature.What I never knew though was that loons could only take off on water.

[Finder]

I don't want to alarm Secondcurve, and I admire your nonalarmist attitude, but referring to this event as nature "weeding out the weak" seems like an unthoughtout statement. Here's a statement from an authority "This is the first time I ever have seen this," said senior biologist and executive director of the Loon Preservation Committee, Harry Vogel. "It's unprecedented......

I'm looking forward to the 2036 asteriod for some real weeding.

[Mee-n-Mac]

Originally Posted by Finder

{snip} I'm looking forward to the 2036 asteriod for some real weeding.

With only a 1/45,000 chance of hitting the Earth, I wouldn't be placing any bets on it.

Does anyone know if the necropsy report will be released to the public ?

[upthesaukee]

We had to go to Rochester this morning, and where the river crosses under So. Main St just as you start into the downtown area, my wife spotted what appeared to be a dead duck on the ice just before the dam.
Just another reminder of the dangers our feathered friends face with severe winter weather.

[secondcurve]

Finder:

I am sorry if my perspective on nature offended you. I simply meant to say that I'm not concerned when I see animals die due to weather related events; nature can be cruel. My view would change if the cause of death were man made, lead sinkers for instance. I hope this clears up my position.

[SteveA]

From todays Citizen

http://www.citizen.com/apps/pbcs.dll...120/-1/CITIZEN

SC... no need to explain.... You are correct... Mother Nature can be cruel. But, we can all be more aware of what we can do to help keep the things we all love about the lake for future generations. My wife and I sat on the pontoon one evening and watched .. ( from more than 150' ) a loon "fish". They are wonderful creatures.. and we share their space. They add a certain sense of peace to our lives... a great example of why so many of us "transplants" have decided to move to this area.

IMHO... Judy Ellis of Gilford (from the article) is a wonderful example of what we all can do... I don't know her... but she and her husband did good! I admire what they did.

[WINDinmySOCKIES]

SteveA
Thanks for the LPC website info. I was able to sign up for membership online
and find info on how to help in other ways.

[MomCat]

SteveA, thanks for posting the link to the LPC site for WINDinmySOCKIES and others. I intended to include it but forgot. Kudos to both of you for "joining up." As others who are interested will see, an LPC membership costs as little as $30—an inexpensive investment in the important effort to protect our loons (although a larger contribution can help even more ). A visit to the Loon Center in Moultonborough is educational and entertaining, especially during the Loon Festival and other special events, and the wonderful gift shop really does offer “all things loon.”

Thanks, too, for the link to the latest Citzen article. Judy Ellis and her husband, Dave Eastman, Daniel Paquette, Harry Vogel, Martel's Sporting Goods, Maria Colby, and everyone else involved in the rescue and release of the surviving loons and the recovery of carcasses for study deserve our appreciation and respect. I was deeply moved by the account of their extraordinary efforts. Sometimes you DO hear news that makes you proud to be a human being.

[SteveA]

Originally Posted by MomCat

Loons are the unique treasures of our northern lakes--and they are not "plentiful." Those of us who belong to the Loon Preservation Committee are well aware of the many threats to the fragile loon population and their habitats. I strongly encourage anyone who enjoys watching and listening to the loons on our lakes to join the LPC and support its important work . An unusual incident like this is disturbing, but it's important to note that Harry Vogel and the LPC staff are actively involved in researching the problem. If you love loons, please be part of the solution by joining the LPC.

MomCat is right on the money! I wanted to bring this thread back to the top.

The Mrs and I spent a wonderful day at the loon center yesterday. The 30 min. film they show is amazing and very educational. We are proud to be members and the 1.7 mile trail they have is a great way to 'get back to nature". The walk takes you back to a time before the lake was "developed", and is a very relaxing way to spend and afternoon.

[ApS]

The lake's Loons have started "rafting up" for the early Fall season.

Five cruised by yesterday evening, making soft "hooh" sounds between one another. One had nearly made a full change into his full winter (duller) plumage.





Their summer faces in particular show signs of turning from full-black to white-speckled. By November, these rafts will gradually collect Loon individuals whose numbers will reach into the upper teens.

Their behavior changes, too. Even now, you'll see some flapping one wing on the surface—traveling in circles. Some will "fly" along the surface upside-down! If their maniacal summer vocalizations didn't rate these birds the "Loon" name, their Fall behavior certainly would!

[Grant]

Here's one I spotted on the Lake during November...

http://k41.pbase.com/g4/49/16149/2/5...6.IMG_0186.jpg

[SteveA]

Mrs. SteveA was on the beach at LSP yesterday. She saw a "raft" of 7 Loons...

She also noted that they are starting to change color.. to brown.

When we visited the Loon Center a month ago.. we were told that this is normal Loon behaviour. They explained that this was a way for the Loons to establish a group that all got along and would stay together for the trip to the Atlantic.

Wonderful stuff.. I was amazed, when watching the film at the Loon Center, that they have been around for over 60 million years!

This link says 65 million!

"The earliest fossil records of loon go back to the Paleocene age, over 65 million years ago! "

http://birding.about.com/od/birdsloons/a/loons.htm

[Lakegeezer]

I caught eight loons (only 5 in the picture) in late August. Is early marauding a sign of an early winter?

[tis]

We saw those 5 today, APS.

[mwl]

I guess I'm out of the loop regarding the loon population. What are the numbers today as compared to the past?

I have lived close to a small lake near Sunapee for 50 years and have spent the last 15 summers on Winnipeesaukee. I see more loons now than I have ever seen in my life. We went for a boat ride from Paugus Bay to Green's Basin yesterday. Must have seen 25-30.

Maybe I'm just lucky and see every one there is.

[idigtractors]

Originally Posted by mwl

I guess I'm out of the loop regarding the loon population. What are the numbers today as compared to the past?
I have lived close to a small lake near Sunapee for 50 years and have spent the last 15 summers on Winnipeesaukee. I see more loons now than I have ever seen in my life. We went for a boat ride from Paugus Bay to Green's Basin yesterday. Must have seen 25-30.
Maybe I'm just lucky and see every one there is.

It's what they call visiting time from the different areas and last hooray before heading back to the ocean. They gather in larger numbers during their visits. This happens every year.

[SteveA]

Originally Posted by idigtractors

It's what they call visiting time from the different areas and last hooray before heading back to the ocean. They gather in larger numbers during their visits. This happens every year.

From "About.com"

Social or Solitary?
Loons are generally seen alone during the summer months. However, late in the season, adult and young Loons tend to gather together in large groups which biologists call "social gatherings." Some think the Loons group-up in order to help teach the young how to prepare for migration.

Social gatherings of over 650 Loons were seen last week on Lake Winibigoshish in Minnesota. A single group of 235 birds was there on September 14th, according to the Minnesota Rare Bird Hotline. (Lake Winibigoshish is near the headwaters of the Mississippi River.)

MWL This what you witnessed if you saw a large group of Loons.

[Grant]

Originally Posted by Lin

...It's been some really topsy turvy weather patterns these last few years. We've got dozens of robins in our yard and woods in MA. Yesterday when I was out checking the river there was only one open spring just off to the side and the place was loaded with Turkey, robins and other birds.

I've noticed large groups of robins in the dead of winter over a number of years. They are conspicuous because we typically associate them with spring. Just this past weekend, I saw two large groups (one 20-30 birds, another probably 50-100) here in PA during the coldest stretch of the winter. I got some photos of them scooting around in the snow -- looking for bare patches where they could (or couldn't) find something to eat. They are migratory, so my theory is that some of them just need to head north a bit earlier because of timeshare obligations.

[WINDinmySOCKIES]

Momcat, Can you tell me more info about the LPC? Or direct me where I can find it?
Thanks

[SteveA]

For those that have asked.

I'm not a member... but will be after tonight! Thanks for the suggestion MomCat.

http://www.loon.org/

Very nice website

[Gavia immer]

Originally Posted by secondcurve

Steve:

Thanks for the post, it is interesting. While the story is sad, I wouldn't worry too much about it. This is nature's way of weeding out the weak. Fortunately, there are pleny of loons in our region.

Steve A's article says that loons are in decline and need to be put on the "threatened-species" list.

The lake's local expert said "The death of 17 adults is ''a huge loss'' to the population". Since loons return to the same breeding sites each year, Vogel is undoubtedly right about "a huge loss".

The lake froze over very late this year, and loons lingered. When the long open water runways froze up one after the other, they were doomed.

[Finder]

An update of last month's loon die back can be found in this issue of The Weirs Times. It's on page 40 and can be downloaded here. http://www.weirs.com/currentedition.htm.
Here's an interesting observation. Loon thread, 21 replies. Snowmobile trails trashed, 21 replies. Babes on Sleds, 20 replies. Smoking Ban, 40 replies

[LIforrelaxin]

First Finder thanks for pointing the article out. It was a good read and it is nice to know that there are peope out there paying attention to their enviornment......

Originally Posted by Finder

Here's an interesting observation. Loon thread, 21 replies. Snowmobile trails trashed, 21 replies. Babes on Sleds, 20 replies. Smoking Ban, 40 replies

Second what are you trying to point out here? Unfortunatly it doesn't appear that the loons didn't get as much attention as some would like on the forum. But what does it mean that more people where interested in the smoking ban or that the snowmobile trails. I don't think it means much at all. This is a horrible for sure, I love the loons and the lake wouldn't be the same with out them. But sometimes you just have to let nature happen. Who knows why this happened, but I am not going to get consumed or concerned buy it. You see people get alarmed anytime something like this happens (e.g. whales beaching themselves), mother nature does some interesting things at times, and we can get all concerned over them and wonder if some horrible disease is presenting itself, or we can take note of the situation in case it happens again and move on. I vote for the later, the weather patterns have been unusual for a couple of years and it is creating an issue for wildlife.....the ones that have been able to make adjustments are doing fine, while the ones that can not have passed on.... it is survival of the fittest.... it is a principal of nature and happens, doesn't mean we have to like it, but we have to accept it.....

[webmaster]

Originally Posted by Finder

Here's an interesting observation. Loon thread, 21 replies. Snowmobile trails trashed, 21 replies. Babes on Sleds, 20 replies. Smoking Ban, 40 replies

A better gauge of interest are the thread "Views".

Based on views here is how these topics rank:

1. Babes Thread - 1441 views since 2/20/07
2. Snowmobile Trails Thread - 1361 views since 2/21/07
3. Loon Thread - 1243 views since 2/20/07
4. Smoking Thread - 1994 views since 4/6/06

Replies lead you to believe that the smoking thread is the most popular when actually it is last among the four. In fact it is way behind the other threads since the 1994 views occurred over a 11 month period instead of a week or so!

[Island Girl]

I am glad to see there is such interest in the Babes..... (by the way we could use some more Babes, come on Mee... get a sled.. for those who do not meet the age criteria... you can be a Babe in Training... you can bring your boy toys along too.)

The real interest is other topics... such as Ice-in with 23,508 views and 270 replies!!!!

The goes to show how many of us there are out there looking at the forum on a regular basis!!!

Thanks, Don, for all that you do!!!!!!

IG

[KBoater]

What is the age criteria to join the Babes? If I was there in the winter, I would join (Been there done that). Do you have senior citizen discounts? I guess I will just have to remain a “FL Boater”.

[Island Girl]

You can be to young to join the Babes... but never too old... I suspect you meet the criteria!!

IG