After the storm - Photo courtesy of Don Yurewicz
Tallying the results of the annual loon count.
Protecting their chick: Photo courtesy of Don Yurewicz
Momma loon feeding baby: Photo courtesy of Tom Gross
Loons nest close to the edge of the lake at water level - wakes from boats can easily dislodge the loon and eggs causing the nest to be abandoned. When you see a caution sign designating a nesting area please reduce speed and keep a safe distance.
Loon Conservation
Volunteers with the Conway Lake Conservation Association (CLCA) work in conjunction with the Loon Preservation Committee (LPC) to protect and monitor loons on Conway Lake. When nests are threatened because of water traffic our volunteers place signs to let boaters know they should slow down and avoid creating wakes that could disturb nests at the water line. Once chicks have hatched, we place “Caution: Loon Chicks” signs in chick nursery areas. Young loon chicks can be difficult to see on the water and cannot dive as quickly or deeply to avoid being hit by a boat. Close approach by people in motorboats or canoes/kayaks can severely stress the loons, reduce the ability of loons to care for their chicks, and may result in reduced fitness and/or the death of the chick(s). Boaters should stay at least 150 feet away from loons and loon families to allow them to go about their normal behaviors to care for themselves and their chicks. In addition to signage we continue to monitor the lake for loons in distress and participate in the annual statewide loon count.
To report a loon emergency please contact Rick Blank:
603-447-8826 (home), 617-877-8062 (mobile) or Rick@rickrobin.com
2022Update
Ice out this year was April 5th and the loons returned the next day on April 6th. Nesting activity began around May 28th and continued to June 5th. There were only two active nests this year. The town beach nest produced one chick that hatched over the July 4th weekend. The chick was healthy and within two days had moved out to the north shoreline. As of late October, the juvenile loon was healthy and ready to fly.
Two artificial nests were placed in South Cove – one off the north end of Boynton Island and one on the southwest corner off Near Isle. The loon pair chose instead to nest on the shore of Boynton Island and produced one egg which was lost to a predator around July 15th.
A big thank you to Brian Jarvis and Bill Petry for their assistance in managing the signs and floating nests.
Elsewhere on the lake: Loons were active and visible all season in the Gull rock/Marble Island area and the Thorn Island area but there was no nest activity.
The annual loon count was held on July 16th. It was a calm day with great visibility that made the count go smoothly. In all, seventeen adult loons and one chick were observed. Thank you to our observers Brian and Bobbi Jarvis, Craig Fillmann, Mark Guerringue, Don Yurewicz and Theresa Einhorn, Rose Hache and Dean Malouta, and Tom Gross for their help with the count.
Finally, the loons have been active and vocal all season. While we are disappointed that only 1 chick was produced, having 17 active loons is a good sign for next year and years to come.
To learn more about loons in New Hampshire please visit the Loon Preservation Committee at www.loon.org.
Please observe these caution signs - they signify loons with a chick are in the area. Please slow down and keep your distance!
Interpreting Loon Behavior
(courtesy the Loon Preservation Committee)
