Loon sighting

RLW · 04-17-2014, 08:28 PM

Others may have seen the loons already on the big lake, but we saw our first 3 here at Sunset Lake up on Alton Mountain all day today. Great to walk outside and here the sound of the loons.

upthesaukee · 04-17-2014, 08:50 PM

We were crossing the Mosquito Bridge over Winnisquam, and there was one swimming just north of the bridge. Always a good sign.

I would guess that they have been keeping track of the ice situation over hear on their IPads.

pjard · 04-17-2014, 10:33 PM

I know this isn't the best picture but we saw about 18-20 loons at Mountain View Yacht Club.

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gslpro · 04-18-2014, 12:37 AM

Those are actually Megansers....ducks. Would be nice to know the Loon population had exploded, but not as of yet.

wifi · 04-18-2014, 06:07 AM

I saw a pair of Loons in the Suissevale Marina yesterday. They were practice diving

pjard · 04-18-2014, 07:31 AM

Well thank you...we thought that was amazing! I learned something today.

ApS · 04-18-2014, 08:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gslpro

Those are actually Megansers....ducks. Would be nice to know the Loon population had exploded, but not as of yet.

Among those mergansers, where are the female Mergansers? I see only one—maybe two.

Life is Wild · 04-25-2014, 11:05 AM

That's because of Spring fever. Love is in the air. Males are mobbing around females and competing to pair with them.

tis · 04-25-2014, 11:20 AM

We have had both male and female merganzers in the past few days.. I haven't seen the wood ducks again. The loons were here this morning, the eagle was and the geese were. THe geese were out in the water thankfully.

SteveA · 04-26-2014, 07:11 AM

They are back.. lousy picture because he was way out on the lake, but they have been around for about two weeks. This was taken 4-16

Lots of "calling" wonderful to have them back.

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HayBelly · 05-01-2014, 10:26 AM

This one was hanging around Back Bay in Wolfeboro week before last.

RLW · 05-02-2014, 11:12 PM

HayBelly, I just noticed that you are fairly new to posting on the forum and glad you have joined us. Have fun and enjoy the Winni Forum while making many new friends.

tis · 05-03-2014, 07:38 AM

Our two have been out in front a lot lately. This morning they were right there and I spoke to them and one of them swam right toward me. I swear they get to know your voice as crazy as it may seem.

Dad sold the C * C · 05-03-2014, 09:04 PM

I was on the phone so I stopped moving and sat down on the deck and next thing I know I'm watching a loon dive and come up twice with fish

. The second one was big and took it a while to "line it up". I gotta just leave the SLR up north..

Greene's Basin Girl · 05-04-2014, 02:13 AM

Since this thread is about the loons I want to remind everyone that lead sinkers and jigs with kill loons. We lost our male loon in Green's Basin last summer due to a lead sinker. The loon was autopsied at Tuft's and they found the sinker. Fishermen do not need to use lead sinkers or lead jigs. We get so many fishermen in Green's Basin because many of them put their boats in at Lee's Mills for a day of fishing.

tis · 05-04-2014, 07:44 AM

OH NO! I hate hearing that! I thought the lead sinkers are illegal, now, are they not? In any case, I hope the fishermen will stop using them.

jeffk · 05-04-2014, 09:55 AM

I saw a pair by me this morning, near Suissevale. I had heard the calling since about 2 weeks ago but had not seen them until now.

Grant · 05-14-2014, 10:41 AM

It only takes one little lead sinker (even a splitshot) to kill a loon. They swallow gravel/till from the lake's bottom to help with digestion, so one little lead pellet in that mix will be fatal. Go with steel or titanium & save a loon (or more than one).

secondcurve · 05-14-2014, 08:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tis

OH NO! I hate hearing that! I thought the lead sinkers are illegal, now, are they not? In any case, I hope the fishermen will stop using them.

It's possible the lead sinker was at the bottom of the lake for 25-years before being scooped up by a loon. The sinkers have been banned for a while so over time the incidence of loon deaths caused by lead will decrease. I wouldn't worry too much about a loon here or there dying from lead. Unfortunately it happens, but this factor in itself isn't going to decimate the loon population.

Greene's Basin Girl · 05-15-2014, 03:27 AM

Lead sinkers are not banned- unfortunately!

SteveA · 05-15-2014, 05:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by secondcurve

It's possible the lead sinker was at the bottom of the lake for 25-years before being scooped up by a loon. The sinkers have been banned for a while so over time the incidence of loon deaths caused by lead will decrease. I wouldn't worry too much about a loon here or there dying from lead. Unfortunately it happens, but this factor in itself isn't going to decimate the loon population.

I wish you were correct, but I don't think you are:

"Loons and other waterbirds can die from lead poisoning after swallowing lead fishing sinkers and jigs lost by anglers. According to the Loon Preservation Committee, poisoning from lead fishing tackle accounts for 52 percent of mortalities among adult and immature loons from 1976 through 2000, by far the largest single cause of adult loon mortality in New Hampshire.
State law prohibits the use of lead sinkers and jigs in all fresh water in New Hampshire, including lakes, ponds, rivers and streams. The ban prohibits the use of lead sinkers weighing 1 ounce or less and lead jigs less than 1 inch long along their longest axis.

The law also prohibits the sale in New Hampshire of lead sinkers weighing 1 ounce or less and lead jigs less than 1 inch long along their longest axis.

What you can do:
■Use non-lead sinkers and jigs. It's the law.
■Ask your local sporting goods store to stock non-lead fishing tackle. It's the law.
■Spread the word. Tell other anglers about the problem with lead.
■Dispose of old lead sinkers and jigs properly. Drop-off locations include all N.H. Fish and Game offices and hatcheries (see list below). "

See the whole post from NH Fish and Game here:

http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/Fish...e_lead_out.htm

SteveA · 05-15-2014, 05:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Green's Basin Girl

Lead sinkers are not banned- unfortunately!

from the official NH Fish and Game website:

"State law prohibits the use of lead sinkers and jigs in all fresh water in New Hampshire, including lakes, ponds, rivers and streams. The ban prohibits the use of lead sinkers weighing 1 ounce or less and lead jigs less than 1 inch long along their longest axis.

The law also prohibits the sale in New Hampshire of lead sinkers weighing 1 ounce or less and lead jigs less than 1 inch long along their longest axis."

whole story here:

http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/Fish...e_lead_out.htm

znh · 05-15-2014, 03:23 PM

If anyone has been watching Comos you would know all about lead and how dangerous it is for everyone

I only fish in Winni and would never use lead anything, but I don't see anything for sale around here that is leaded in regards to weights, rigging, etc...

Rusty · 05-15-2014, 05:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by znh

If anyone has been watching Comos you would know all about lead and how dangerous it is for everyone

I only fish in Winni and would never use lead anything, but I don't see anything for sale around here that is leaded in regards to weights, rigging, etc...

"Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey" ...This TV program changed my mind about a lot of things that I have believed most of my life.

I always believed in creation but now...well...I'm not sure.

PaugusBayFireFighter · 05-15-2014, 05:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rusty

"Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey" ...This TV program changed my mind about a lot of thing that I have believed most of my life.

I always believed in creation but now...well...I'm not sure.

You're evolving!

04-17-2014, 08:28 PM	#1
RLW Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Alton Bay on the mountain by a lake Posts: 2,023 Thanks: 563 Thanked 444 Times in 311 Posts	Loon sighting Others may have seen the loons already on the big lake, but we saw our first 3 here at Sunset Lake up on Alton Mountain all day today. Great to walk outside and here the sound of the loons. __________________ There is nothing better than living on Alton Mountain & our grand kids visits.

04-17-2014, 08:50 PM	#2
upthesaukee Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Alton Bay Posts: 5,614 Blog Entries: 2 Thanks: 2,483 Thanked 1,987 Times in 1,087 Posts	We saw one on Tuesday... We were crossing the Mosquito Bridge over Winnisquam, and there was one swimming just north of the bridge. Always a good sign. I would guess that they have been keeping track of the ice situation over hear on their IPads. __________________ I Live Here... I am always UPTHESAUKEE !!!!

04-18-2014, 12:37 AM	#4
gslpro Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Holden, MA Posts: 80 Thanks: 14 Thanked 26 Times in 18 Posts	Loons Those are actually Megansers....ducks. Would be nice to know the Loon population had exploded, but not as of yet. __________________ Gary and Diane 290 Fiesta Vee "Nauti Bonnie"

04-26-2014, 07:11 AM	#10
SteveA Deceased Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Gilford, NH Posts: 2,311 Thanks: 1,070 Thanked 2,054 Times in 497 Posts	See them every day.. They are back.. lousy picture because he was way out on the lake, but they have been around for about two weeks. This was taken 4-16 Lots of "calling" wonderful to have them back. __________________ "Before you criticize someone, walk a mile in his shoes. That way, if he gets angry he'll be a mile away and barefoot!" unknown

05-02-2014, 11:12 PM	#12
RLW Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Alton Bay on the mountain by a lake Posts: 2,023 Thanks: 563 Thanked 444 Times in 311 Posts	*HayBelly,* I just noticed that you are fairly new to posting on the forum and glad you have joined us. Have fun and enjoy the Winni Forum while making many new friends. __________________ There is nothing better than living on Alton Mountain & our grand kids visits.

04-17-2014, 10:33 PM	#3
pjard Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Gilford, NH Posts: 645 Thanks: 514 Thanked 195 Times in 102 Posts	I know this isn't the best picture but we saw about 18-20 loons at Mountain View Yacht Club.

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04-18-2014, 06:07 AM	#5
wifi Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Lakes Region Posts: 1,321 Thanks: 282 Thanked 287 Times in 169 Posts	I saw a pair of Loons in the Suissevale Marina yesterday. They were practice diving

04-18-2014, 07:31 AM	#6
pjard Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Gilford, NH Posts: 645 Thanks: 514 Thanked 195 Times in 102 Posts	Well thank you...we thought that was amazing! I learned something today.

04-25-2014, 11:05 AM	#8
Life is Wild Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Posts: 28 Thanks: 22 Thanked 16 Times in 9 Posts	That's because of Spring fever. Love is in the air. Males are mobbing around females and competing to pair with them.

04-25-2014, 11:20 AM	#9
tis Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 6,838 Thanks: 764 Thanked 1,474 Times in 1,029 Posts	We have had both male and female merganzers in the past few days.. I haven't seen the wood ducks again. The loons were here this morning, the eagle was and the geese were. THe geese were out in the water thankfully.

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05-01-2014, 10:26 AM	#11
HayBelly Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Effingham, NH Posts: 3 Thanks: 0 Thanked 8 Times in 2 Posts	This one was hanging around Back Bay in Wolfeboro week before last.

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05-03-2014, 07:38 AM	#13
tis Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 6,838 Thanks: 764 Thanked 1,474 Times in 1,029 Posts	Our two have been out in front a lot lately. This morning they were right there and I spoke to them and one of them swam right toward me. I swear they get to know your voice as crazy as it may seem.

05-03-2014, 09:04 PM	#14
Dad sold the C * C Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Posts: 273 Thanks: 119 Thanked 62 Times in 40 Posts	I was on the phone so I stopped moving and sat down on the deck and next thing I know I'm watching a loon dive and come up twice with fish. The second one was big and took it a while to "line it up". I gotta just leave the SLR up north..

05-04-2014, 02:13 AM	#15
Greene's Basin Girl Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Moultonborough, NH Posts: 1,515 Thanks: 394 Thanked 527 Times in 269 Posts	Since this thread is about the loons I want to remind everyone that lead sinkers and jigs with kill loons. We lost our male loon in Green's Basin last summer due to a lead sinker. The loon was autopsied at Tuft's and they found the sinker. Fishermen do not need to use lead sinkers or lead jigs. We get so many fishermen in Green's Basin because many of them put their boats in at Lee's Mills for a day of fishing.

05-04-2014, 07:44 AM	#16
tis Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 6,838 Thanks: 764 Thanked 1,474 Times in 1,029 Posts	OH NO! I hate hearing that! I thought the lead sinkers are illegal, now, are they not? In any case, I hope the fishermen will stop using them.

05-04-2014, 09:55 AM	#17
jeffk Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Center Harbor Posts: 1,191 Thanks: 210 Thanked 460 Times in 263 Posts	I saw a pair by me this morning, near Suissevale. I had heard the calling since about 2 weeks ago but had not seen them until now.

05-14-2014, 10:41 AM	#18
Grant Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Pennsyltuckey, Tuftonboro, Moultonborough Posts: 1,505 Thanks: 385 Thanked 232 Times in 126 Posts	Get the Lead Out It only takes one little lead sinker (even a splitshot) to kill a loon. They swallow gravel/till from the lake's bottom to help with digestion, so one little lead pellet in that mix will be fatal. Go with steel or titanium & save a loon (or more than one). __________________ "When I die, please don't let my wife sell my dive gear for what I told her I paid for it."

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05-15-2014, 03:27 AM	#20
Greene's Basin Girl Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Moultonborough, NH Posts: 1,515 Thanks: 394 Thanked 527 Times in 269 Posts	Lead sinkers are not banned- unfortunately!

05-15-2014, 03:23 PM	#23
znh Senior Member Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 156 Thanks: 30 Thanked 40 Times in 25 Posts	If anyone has been watching Comos you would know all about lead and how dangerous it is for everyone I only fish in Winni and would never use lead anything, but I don't see anything for sale around here that is leaded in regards to weights, rigging, etc...

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