LOON PRESERVATION COMMITTEE NEWSLETTER FALL 2019

Photo Courtesy of Kittie Wilson DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE

Milestones

irst, the bad news: 2019 was a notable year for loons in a Ffew unfortunate ways. We recorded a record number of The Loon Preservation Committee failed loon nests and collected a record number of unhatched 183 Lee’s Mill Road, P.O. Box 604 loon eggs from those nests. We collected a record number Moultonborough, NH 03254 of adult loon mortalities for a loon breeding season. Those 603-476-LOON (5666); www.loon.org unfortunate loons included a record three birds that died of The Loon Preservation Committee (LPC) is a non- avian malaria, brought to you courtesy of a warming climate. profit, self-directed and self-funded organization affili- These are not milestones to celebrate, but they are worth ated with Audubon. Autonomous in pointing out as they illustrate the challenges – new, old, and membership and fundraising, LPC works to preserve increasing – that loons face in New Hampshire. loons and their habitats in New Hampshire through monitoring, research, management, and education. I am aware that the above is not a particularly upbeat opening to my director’s message, and you might be conclud- LPC Staff: ing that loons had a catastrophic year in New Hampshire. Harry S. Vogel But I’m glad you are still reading because there is other news Senior Biologist/Executive Director John H. Cooley, Jr. to share. This summer LPC floated its 2,000th loon nesting Senior Biologist raft to help loons displaced from traditional nesting sites Kellee A. Duckworth due to shoreline development, recreational use of lakes, or Center Manager changing water levels – and a record number of loon pairs Tiffany J. Grade (50) nested on those rafts. We protected our 1,800th nesting Squam Lakes Biologist Holly M. Heath pair of loons with signs and/or ropelines, and pairs protected Membership/Center Assistant by those measures hatched more than one of every two loon Caroline M. Hughes chicks on our lakes this year. We banded our 400th loon to Staff Biologist learn about loon life history and stressors affecting loons – the Linda Egli Johnson Special Assistant/Newsletter Coordinator better to understand, protect, and help New Hampshire’s Kirsten L. Knell loon population thrive. Shop Assistant And all of that hard work in this and prior years has paid Lin L. O’Bara off: LPC counted 313 pairs of loons on New Hampshire’s Development Coordinator Joan M. Plevich lakes this summer. A record number. Database Technician That last and most important record included many lakes Bette J. Ruyffelaert that held loon pairs or loon chicks for the first time since Assistant Center Manager we started our work to reverse the decline of loons in New LPC Board of Trustees: Hampshire 44 years ago. So some of the dire numbers above Kristen F. Begor, Chair simply reflect an increasing loon population. For example, Thomas S. Deans, Vice Chair a record number of failed nests does not mean that we expe- Glyn P. Green, Treasurer rienced record low nesting success: the number of nests that Elizabeth P. Gabel, Secretary failed as a proportion of the total number of loon nests was Susan R. Goodwin David P. Govatski thankfully nowhere near a record. Others reflect a growing Sandra L. Helve network of engaged and motivated volunteers that find and Beverly L. LaFoley report loon nests, both successful and failed, and loons in Arthur (Sandy) P. McGinnes distress – the very people that will assure the loon’s survival Annie Montgomery Alex W. Moot in New Hampshire. Jeffrey H. Patterson A lot of hard work happened to make our record number Jordan S. Prouty (Honorary) of loon pairs so. Thank you to all who helped float a loon Brian J. Reilly nesting raft, or helped protect a nest with ropes or signs, or Robert I. Rotberg Brenda Stowe handed in your old lead tackle, or reported or helped rescue Robert W. Varney a loon in distress, or talked with your friends and neighbors about loons and how we can help them. You are the differ- Ex-officio Trustees: ence between a declining and a recovering loon population in Douglas A. Bechtel, NH Audubon President Harry S. Vogel, New Hampshire. And always have been. LPC Senior Biologist/Executive Director

- 2 - LPC AFIELD

2019 Field Survey Summary

Monitoring basic mea- Unknown Failure, 47 or New Hampshire’s loon sure of (19%) population, the 2019 breed- breeding F Rival Loons, 16 (7%) ing season was, indeed, the success. In best of times and the worst of the end, times. Some long-established the breed- loon lakes were suddenly ing popu- Predation, 35 (14%) empty or, like Winnipesaukee, lation held 2 Chicks, 65 (27%) almost completely unproduc- its own, Flooding/Stranding, 7 tive, while other lakes saw coming (3%) newly successful loon pairs or close to the Human disturbance, 8 (3%) a return to form. Overall, the long-term Black Flies, 1 (<1%) breeding population inched breeding upward by a single percent, success 1 Chick, 63 (26%) from 309 to 313 territorial loon (0.51 chicks pairs (i.e., two loons occupying surviving and defending a territory for at per terri- Figure 1: Loon Nest Outcomes in 2019 least four weeks). LPC staff and torial pair volunteers documented a total per year) needed to continue the back in the headlines this year. of 240 nest attempts by 221 of gradual recovery that has been In addition to the many reports these pairs (70%). Nesting was underway since LPC’s monitor- of eagles harassing adult loons successful at 129 sites (54% of ing began in the 1970s. For more on the nest or with chicks and the all nest attempts), producing statistics and some of the trend- mortality of a juvenile loon on 193 chicks, with 148 of those setting territories, see Figure 1 Kanasatka after an eagle attack, chicks surviving to mid-August. and Tables 1 and 2. LPC’s loon cam captured the The resulting cohort of juvenile very moment an adult bald eagle loons represents 0.47 chicks sur- Eagle Update seized an hours-old chick on the viving per territorial pair, our Eagle predations of loons were continued on page 4

Table 1: Results of the 2019 Common Loon Breeding Season in New Hampshire

Pre-Loon Recovery Plan 2019 vs. Population and Productivity 2019 (2005-2009 avg.) Pre-Loon Recovery Plan Territorial Loon Pairs 313 231 35% Nesting Pairs 221 155 43% Chicks Hatched 193 138 40% Chicks Survived to mid-August 148 105 41% Nest Failures 114 78 46% Chicks Surviving/Territorial Pair 0.47 0.46 3%

Management Activity Rafts (including five on Lake Umbagog) 89 56 59% Signs/Ropes 119 61 95% Loons Rescued 18 6.4 181%

Survey Effort Lakes & Territories Surveyed 334 lakes, 485 occupied or potential territories

- 3 - examination, to look more like an injury from the dagger-sharp bill of a defending adult loon. Stay tuned for necropsy results from Division of Inland Fisher- ies and Wildlife to confirm this initial diagnosis.

Rafts and Signs In 2019, a record 50 rafts were used by loons for nesting, hatch- ing 24% of all chicks (46)! This was also the highest rate of raft use (56% of rafts floated were used by loons) since 2003, re- LPC’s webcam captured the moment an adult eagle swooped down and flecting a more efficient raft fleet grabbed the just-hatched loon chick, despite a spirited defense by the parent. having removed some rafts that had been unused for years. Over continued from page 3 220 floating warning signs were nest. This came after an initial the loon cam made clear. Hard as placed at 119 territories around brush with disaster a few days it is to watch, this epic battle must the state, with floating ropelines before hatching, when an eagle have been common enough before at 65 of these sites. Over half of flushed the incubating loon and the current era of DDT and lead all chicks hatched throughout landed on the nest but left the egg fishing tackle. As LPC works to the state came from a nesting or intact. The exponential growth of address human-caused threats chick-rearing area protected in the breeding Bald Eagle popula- to loons like lead fishing tackle this way. tion in New Hampshire shows no and contaminants, this incident signs of slowing down (see Figure hopefully points to a future when Banded Loons 2). This summer saw the pub- those human-caused threats are Through patient observation lication of LPC and NH Audu- usurped by more natural stressors and careful photography, LPC bon’s joint analysis of eagle and for nesting loons to contend with. field staff and volunteers re-sight- loon data for the initial 16 years There was also news through ed over 150 banded loons this of rapid expansion in the eagle the grapevine this summer that year. These included the oldest population, which found that a the battle is not always one-sided. known loon in the Northeast—the relatively modest 3% of loon nest From over the border in western Sweats Meadow female banded as failures may have been associated Maine, we confirmed that a game an adult in 1993 and likely at least with the presence of eagle nests warden had collected a dead Bald 30 years old. She was displaced nearby during that period (1998- Eagle and a dead loon chick near from her usual territory this year 2013). But, with a booming eagle each other. What first appeared by an unbanded loon but is still population, that number is sure to to be a gunshot wound on the ea- present on the lake. LPC cap- rise, as the dramatic scene from gle’s breast turned out, on closer tured 29 healthy adult loons this

Table 2: Highlights for the 2019 Common Loon Breeding Season in New Hampshire

1st Time Nesting Pairs Arlington Mill Pond, Burns Pond, Hanover , Hildreth Pond, Sunapee-North, Winnipesaukee-Back Bay & Smith Cove

1st Time Successful Nests Burns Pond, Hanover Reservoir, Hildreth Pond, Sunapee-North

1st Raft Nest Use Balch-Middle, Chalk Pond, Sunapee-North, Lake Francis-South Cove

- 4 - 75 s r i 50 a P

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Monadnock Field Biologist, Elaina

0 Badders, tends to a loon chick during 1998 2001 2004 2007 2010 2013 2016 2019 a banding outing in her region.

summer for banding. Six of these were previously banded, but we 300 collected fresh samples and data to measure any changes to their s r i

a health and body condition. In ad- P

l a i

r dition, LPC banded three adults

o 200 t

rr i and two juvenile loons that we e T rescued and were able to release. oo n L

n This was a year when we lost mm o

o more banded loons as mortalities C 100 than usual, including some old- timers. For example, the 1999 Purity Lake female (probably at

0 least 25 years old) succumbed to 1998 2001 2004 2007 2010 2013 2016 2019 lead poisoning on Shaw Pond in Freedom and the 2001 Great Island female was Figure 2: Rapid increase in New Hampshire’s Bald Eagle breed- reported dead on the coast of ing abundance and slower Common Loon recovery, 1998 - Rhode Island in June. We also 2019. (Note: the two graphs have different vertical scales.) documented notable dispersals, including the appearance within New Hampshire of loons banded in and Maine.

Rescues and Mortalities To date in 2019, working with a network of veterinarians and wildlife rehabilitators, LPC staff and volunteers have rescued 19 loons, nine of which survived to be released. In addition to the 10 rescued loons that did not survive, another 28 loons were recovered as mortalities. Unfortu- nately, necropsies have confirmed Winnipesaukee Field Biologist, Bridget Re, floats ropelines and signs in the lead poisoning as the cause of pouring rain at the Markus Wildlife Sanctuary nest site. continued on page 6

- 5 - Photo Courtesy of Cheryl Patterson Photo Courtesy of Steve Ford

Line and sinker are visible on one of the Manning Lake chicks. Fortunately, a team of volunteers and LPC staff rescued and untangled this loon in early October, and it was released on the pond after a short stay with Maria Colby at Wings of Dawn.

nfortunately, necropsies have confirmed lead “Upoisoning as the cause of almost a third of these deaths (and close to half of the adult cases), further motivation to continue the essential work of encourag- ing anglers to make the switch to safe tackle materials. Field Biologist, Lynda Moore, and Tufts veterinary stu- Fishing line entanglement was also a frequent problem dent, Olivia Pea, transfer a rescued loon at Waukeena Lake. this year, accounting for five rescues and two deaths.” Unfortunately, this loon had lead poisoning and could not be saved.

continued from page 5 almost a third of these deaths immune response to some blood- thanks for help with injured and (and close to half of the adult cas- borne parasites, but a changing rescued loons to: Meadow Pond es), further motivation to continue climate or other stressors may Animal Hospital; Avian Haven the essential work of encourag- make them newly vulnerable. Wild Bird Rehabilitation Center; ing anglers to make the switch to LPC is working closely with Maria Colby at Wings of Dawn; safe tackle materials. Fishing line partners at Tufts, University of Dr. Mark Pokras, DVM; Kappy entanglement was also a frequent Vermont, and the NH Veterinary Sprenger in Bridgton, ME; Capi- problem this year, accounting for Diagnostic Laboratory to track tal Area Veterinary Emergency five rescues and two deaths. We and understand this new threat. Services; Elaine Conners Center saw a late season spike in these for Wildlife; and Dr. Dutton at rescues, with four occurring in Acknowledgments Weare Animal Hospital. We the four weeks beginning in mid- LPC’s field season depends received donations and discounts September. each year on a generous network for boat repair and field supplies Alarmingly, the summer also of volunteers, partner conserva- from Squam Boat Livery, Middle- brought a wave of avian ma- tion organizations, businesses, ton/Lavallee Lumber, EM Heath laria cases, with three confirmed lake associations, veterinarians, Hardware, and Sterling Rope, deaths from around the state and rehabilitators. This year we Inc. We relied on lake access and (Kezar Lake, Squam Lake, and are extremely grateful to LPC’s moral support from Robert’s Cove South Pond in Stark) and another Ralph Kirshner for his donation Basin and Balch Lake Marinas. case confirmed in Maine. Nesting of a bigger and better Winnipe- Field crew housing was provided loons, swarmed by mosquitos and saukee work boat, complete with in part by the Glover and Risley black flies, have evolved a healthy potato cannon. We extend special families and the Friends of Mead

- 6 - Conservation Center. And we are grateful for extensive help with many different aspects of our field program from cooperating agen- cies and non-governmental orga- nizations: BioDiversity Research Institute; Dept. of Environmental Services/Dam Bureau; Harris Center for Conservation Educa- tion; NH Audubon; NH Fish and Game; NH Lakes Association; NH Marine Patrol; NH Veterinary Diagnostics Laboratory; Society for Protection of New Hampshire Forests; Squam Lakes Association; Tin Mountain Conservation Cen- ter; Tufts University Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine; US Fish and Wildlife Service includ- ing Umbagog National Wildlife Refuge; and many individual lake A concerned group of Moultonborough volunteers and bystanders teamed up and watershed associations. for an initial rescue and release of a loon chick entangled in fishing line and tackle—one of three surviving on . Unfortunately, the ~John H. Cooley, Jr. chick later died from a secondary but fatal infection caused by being tangled.

An initial attempt by LPC Senior Biologist, John Cooley, Sunapee Field Biologist, Brian Long, and volunteer, Dave Merker, to free a loon from fishing line and tackle on Reservoir Pond was unsuccess- ful, as the loon was too strong and eluded capture. The following day, Peter and Doreen Guillette encountered the loon while paddling and were able to capture the bird and untangle the line. More challenging was extracting a large hook stuck in the loon’s back, but Peter prevailed. Once released, the loon immediately dove under the and took off like a torpedo, popping up some 50 yards away, where it was eventually joined by two other loons. Many thanks to Peter and Doreen for their patience and persistence in rescuing this loon from a life-threatening situation and to their daughter, Donna, who was paddling alongside and captured the rescue on her phone. And thanks to Dave Merker for his help and concern for the well-being of this loon.

- 7 - LPC Expands its Lead Tackle Buyback Program in 2019

he Loon Preservation Com- ceived press coverage of the Tmittee (LPC), in collaboration buyback in newspapers across the with the New Hampshire Fish country; segments on WMUR-TV and Game Department and two and the Wicked Yankee televi- local tackle shops, conducted a sion program; and an interview lead tackle buyback pilot program on Here and Now, a nationally- in 2018 to help remove lead fish- broadcast NPR show. ing tackle from use and reduce These efforts resulted in the loon deaths resulting from in- return of substantial amounts of gested lead tackle. Anglers were lead fishing tackle over the sum- invited to exchange lead tackle mer (inventory yet to be tallied, weighing one ounce or less—the stay tuned!). Plans are already range known to be the greatest underway for a further expan- cause of loon mortality and there- sion of the Lead Tackle Buyback fore restricted for use and sale by Program in 2020 given the con- ing tackle buyback initiatives of New Hampshire state law—for tinued loss of loons to lead tackle their own. We will continue to a $10 store voucher to purchase this year and the success to date work with these and other orga- non-toxic, loon-safe fishing tackle of LPC’s response to this continu- nizations to extend the benefits or other fishing supplies. ing challenge. And LPC’s proof of LPC’s work to loons and loon The pilot program was suc- of concept for this initiative has conservation programs beyond cessful by any measure, resulting piqued the interest of the Ad- New Hampshire. in the collection of 4,786 pieces of irondack Loon Center and Maine lead tackle. Had they remained Audubon, which are consider- ~Harry Vogel in use, any of these pieces of lead tackle had the potential to kill a loon or other wildlife. The ob- jectives of the 2019 Lead Tackle Buyback Program (LTBB) were to increase public awareness of the dangers of lead tackle and of the tackle buyback program; to expand the number of participat- ing locations throughout the state; and to place collection bins at transfer stations to provide other venues to dispose of lead tackle. Nine retailers participated in the 2019 Lead Tackle Buyback Program. LTBB was a presence at the New Hampshire Outdoor Expo in Milford and at Discover Wild New Hampshire Day in Concord, with exhibits and LPC staff that collected lead tackle at both events, and at other locations LPC Senior Biologist, John Cooley, being interviewed about the Lead Tackle that accepted lead tackle and/or Buyback Program for WMUR-TV. AJ, of AJ’s Tackle Shop in Meredith, NH, helped publicize this issue (see provided a boat tour of Meredith Bay after we visited his shop with WMUR pages 9 - 10). LPC created a new Reporter, Tim Callery. website (www.loonsafe.org) and social media accounts for the Lead Tackle Buyback Program and re-

- 8 - Squam Community Unites to Protect Loons from Lead

could not have been happier be a threat—al- Iwhen I received an email from though they Kathy Wheeler, manager of were watching it, Rockywold-Deephaven Camps they left it alone. (RDC) on Squam Lake, early this However, as I summer. She had seen one of approached in my LPC’s announcements about the boat to see if it Lead Tackle Buyback Program, could be captured, a partnership between LPC and it dove away, stay- New Hampshire Department ing underwater of Fish and Game to encourage for an extended anglers to switch to non-lead period of time and tackle, and wanted to know how re-surfacing some RDC could help. This was a great distance away. example of concerned people and Capture was not organizations stepping up to help an option at this end the scourge of lead poisoning point, I would for New Hampshire’s loon popu- just have to keep lation, not to mention another an eye on it. But example of RDC’s ongoing efforts the loon soon to help Squam’s loon population. disappeared; my So RDC became a lead tackle col- increasingly wor- An x-ray of a loon found dead on Squam Lake con- lection point and began asking ried searches firmed lead poisoning from ingesting illegal lead fish- their guests to turn in their lead along the shore- ing tackle. tackle. With Squam Boat Livery lines in neigh- (Holderness) as the participating boring coves and into the back- zations working with their lo- lead tackle buyback location on waters turned up nothing, and I cal transfer station to set up lead the Squam Lakes, RDC and the was left fretting and wondering. tackle collection sites, lake associ- Squam Lakes Association serving But a phone call in mid-October ations setting up tackle exchanges as lead tackle collection points, put an end to my puzzling, when at association meetings, and or- and Squam Lakes Natural Science residents on an island across an ganizations like RDC asking their Center helping to educate their extent of open water from where guests to turn in lead tackle. But, visitors about the dangers of lead I had last seen the loon reported against this backdrop of encour- tackle to loons and other wildlife, a dead loon on their shoreline. I aging action on behalf of loons the organizations and businesses had not thought that a loon as sick and other wildlife, LPC continues on the Squam Lakes are coming as this one appeared to be would to collect loons that have died together to bring an end to lead cross that much open water, but from lead tackle poisoning and to deaths on Squam. We are very the molt pattern on the dead loon have to ask vets to euthanize sick grateful for everyone’s efforts! matched the loon I had seen and loons whose x-rays show tackle Fast forward to the end of sum- the mystery was at an end. The and whose blood tests confirm le- mer: On a beautiful Labor Day x-ray and subsequent necropsy thal levels of lead in their systems. weekend, I was out making the confirmed what I had feared from Sadly, Squam Lake has had rounds on Squam when I spotted the time I first saw the loon: here more than its share of loons dying a lethargic, sick-looking loon. It was another loon poisoned by from ingested lead fishing tackle. was hugging the shoreline, peer- lead fishing tackle. Since 2001, the population rate of ing in the water but not diving, This is the story playing out lead-poisoned loons has doubled and, at one point, sheltering under across New Hampshire: anglers compared with previous years some overhanging branches of turning in lead at tackle shops (1989-2000), averaging nearly one a tree. This loon was clearly in and businesses participating in loon dying from lead tackle on trouble. Even the resident loon LPC’s Lead Tackle Buyback Pro- Squam every two years (0.47 pair obviously judged it not to gram, individuals and organi- continued on page 10

- 9 - continued from page 9 loons annually). Unfortunately, ingestion LPC has documented a lead- acquire it poisoned Squam loon each of the from cur- last 3 years. In 2017, Squam lost rent fishing the spirited and feisty ex-Yard activity (i.e., Islands female to lead poisoning ingesting a (see LPC’s Fall 2017 newsletter for fish that has the story of this amazing loon). In broken a 2018, after successfully gaining a line and has territory and raising a chick, the tackle at- Moon Island female succumbed tached to it to lead poisoning that fall in Cape or striking May, New Jersey. Whether she at a bait or acquired the tackle on Squam fish being or on her wintering grounds, retrieved by we will never know, but it was an angler). another difficult loss for Squam’s It used to loon population. And now, this be thought summer’s loon…an unbanded that loons individual, so we do not know its ingest lost story, but another loon that met tackle from an untimely end. the lake The loss of these lead-poisoned bottom as loons has almost certainly con- grit, but tributed to the poor reproductive LPC’s data Sam Eldridge was inspired to turn in his banned lead fishing success on Squam Lake in recent suggest that tackle at The Loon Center after attending a talk at Rockywold- years. Evidence suggests that this seems Deephaven camps by LPC Squam Lakes Biologist, Tiffany factors including ongoing high to be only a Grade. In exchange for the tackle, Sam received a $10 voucher levels of adult mortality from lead relatively to buy new, non-toxic, loon-safe tackle at participating retailers. fishing tackle and other human minor way causes continue to undermine the that loons ingest lead tackle. This le Buyback Program at RDC recovery of Squam’s loon popula- is an encouraging finding—if this summer during one of my tion. The loss of so many estab- people stop using lead tackle, we weekly talks there, Sam Eldridge lished, experienced adult loons should see fewer lead deaths and came to The Loon Center to turn has led to the immigration of new an immediate benefit to our loon in his lead tackle. I was very loons to fill vacant territories. population. excited when I heard about what These loons are intruding into ter- So LPC is extremely grateful to he did and how he stepped up to ritories, driving established loons Squam Boat Livery for joining our do the right thing for loons! LPC, out of their territories, disrupting Lead Tackle Buyback Initiative, along with other organizations nesting, and, in some cases, kill- to Squam Lakes Natural Science and businesses throughout New ing chicks. While these behaviors Center for educating people about Hampshire, are working hard to are typical for loon territorial the threat of lead tackle, and to encourage anglers to make the disputes, the effects on Squam RDC and SLA for serving as col- switch to non-lead alternatives are amplified due to high levels lection points and encouraging and let loons live the lives they of human-caused adult mortal- people to turn in their lead and were meant to live on our New ity and the resultant large num- make the switch to non-lead tack- Hampshire lakes. ber of vacant territories. These le. The lives of the loons of the disruptions seem to be evident Squam Lakes and loons through- ~Tiffany Grade in the ongoing decline in nesting out New Hampshire—along with propensity and chick survival in so many other wildlife species— recent years. are depending on it. And the ef- For more information about the The good news is that LPC’s forts are paying off: after hearing Lead Tackle Buyback program, please data suggests that the majority about the dangers of lead tackle to see the article on page 8 and visit: of loons that die from lead tackle loons and about LPC’s Lead Tack- www.loonsafe.org.

- 10 - Loon Preservation Committee ANNUAL REPORT 2019

APRIL 1, 2018 - MARCH 31, 2019

he Loon Preservation Committee exists to restore and maintain a healthy popula- Ttion of loons throughout New Hampshire; to monitor the health and productivity of loon populations as sentinels of environmental quality; and to promote a greater under- standing of loons and the natural world.

e’re making progress. Why? Because we’re keeping our “eye on the prize”. The “prize”? A healthy, growing Wpopulation of Common Loons throughout the state, to their benefit and for us to enjoy. They are one of the many wildlife residents we enjoy each summer here in the Granite state, but the loon holds a special and iconic place. Although just black and white, their plumage is impressive and eye-catching. Their calls are unique, some soul- ful, reassuring or haunting, others piercing and alarming. We treasure our loon encounters and enjoy sharing loon stories with others. The Loon Preservation Committee continues to keep a sharp focus on the health and reproductive success of these unique birds that grace our summer world, as it has from our humble beginnings in 1975. As I’ve emphasized in past reports this only happens because a core dedicated staff is supported by an impressive number of volunteers, supporters, and donors. Without the generosity of your time, expertise, and financial support we could not continue the monitoring, management, research, and outreach that defines who we are and what we do. Each and every offer of support is greatly appreciated and used wisely. Our audited Financial Statements for the fiscal year that ended March 31, 2019 (FY19) show our revenue ex- ceeded our expenses by $238,884 or 30.66%. The surplus has been applied to work undertaken in the new fiscal year. The accompanying charts and tabulations provide a five-year summary of our financial reports. The full report is available for review at The Loon Center and on the LPC website, http://www.loon.org/financial/php. My three years as board chair have been enjoyable, challenging, educational, and sat- isfying. The amount of “behind the scenes” work that is necessary to support our core programs is impressive. It has been my privi- lege to work with a dedicated group of fellow trustees, a talented, devoted, and skilled staff as well as numerous devoted friends and supporters. Thank you all for supporting me in my role but, more so, for supporting this dedicated and meaningful organization. As we enter our 45th year I’m optimistic that together we can continue to advance our mission and further “Spread our Wings”.

Thank you, OLIVIA BOLUS

Brian J. Reilly LPC staff prepare for a night of banding on First Connecticut Lake – Board Chair one of 18 nights of loon banding in 2018.

Loon Preservation Committee ■ PO Box 604 ■ 183 Lee’s Mill Road ■ Moultonborough NH 03254 ■ 603-476-LOON (5666) ■ www.loon.org EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE:

he Loon Preservation Committee rescued 16 loons in distress in the period covered by Tthis annual report, with six of those birds treated, rehabilitated, and released back into the wild – a rate of rescues and releases that was unheard of even a few short years ago. These statistics reflect both an increasing number of threats faced by our loons and our growing knowledge and ability to help loons overcome their challenges. Five of the loons that could not be treated and released died because of lethal levels of lead in their blood. They were joined by six other birds that were recovered dead with Board of Trustees high levels of lead for a total of 11 lead-poisoned loons. Ten of these birds carried an Brian J. Reilly, ingested lead object: two were too eroded to determine their original use, but the other Chair eight were clearly identifiable as lead fishing sinkers or lead-headed jigs. Kristen F. Begor, Vice Chair Several lines of evidence indicate that the majority of loon deaths from lead tackle are Glyn P. Green, a result of current fishing activity, rather than lead tackle lost on lake bottoms – lead is Treasurer dense, after all, and will sink into the silt of lake beds, where it is unlikely to be ingested by Elizabeth P. Gabel, loons. So the cause of these loon deaths is not a reservoir of tackle on lake bottoms, but Secretary the of tackle in old tackle boxes – thousands of tackle boxes, in dusty corners of Austin Broadhurst Jr. Thomas S. Deans garages across the state. This is both a sobering and hopeful finding. It indicates non- Sandra L. Helve compliance with New Hampshire’s law restricting the sale and use of lead tackle weighing Beverly LaFoley an ounce or less – but it also means that ending the use of this banned tackle will result in Arthur P. McGinnes an immediate benefit for our loon population. Annie Montgomery Enter the Lead Tackle Buyback Program. Jordan S. Prouty, Honorary LPC’s partnership with New Hampshire Fish & Game and two participating tackle Robert I. Rotberg shops in 2018 removed over 4,700 pieces of lead tackle – any one of which would have killed a loon if ingested – as a threat to loons and other wildlife. The $10 vouchers we Ex-officio Members supplied to these tackle shops to compensate those who returned lead tackle turned out to Doug Bechtel, be a good incentive to clean out those old tackle boxes. Just as importantly, the publicity NH Audubon President Harry S. Vogel, generated by the buyback kept this problem in front of the public and anglers who hadn’t LPC Senior Biologist/ yet gotten around to removing loon-killing tackle from their boxes. The success of this Executive Director pilot program lead to a greatly ramped up Lead Tackle Buyback Program this year. This and the many other efforts described in this report continue to be focused on do- LPC Staff ing exactly those things that will give loons the greatest chance of persisting and thriving Harry S. Vogel, Senior Biologist/ in New Hampshire. In so doing our work continues to investigate and illuminate threats Executive Director to lake wildlife and to healthy, functioning ecosystems. That work will continue to be our John H. Cooley, Jr., focus, as it has been for the past 44 years. And given that focus, I am confident that we Senior Biologist will continue to be up to every challenge facing loons in New Hampshire. Kellee A. Duckworth, Center Manager Tiffany J. Grade Sincerely, Squam Lake Project Biologist Holly M. Heath, Membership/Center Harry Vogel BRIAN REILLY Assistant Caroline Hughes Senior Biologist/Executive Director Staff Biologist Linda Egli Johnson, Special Assistant/ Newsletter Editor Population and Productivity: Lin L. O’Bara, Development Coordinator FY15 FY16 FY17 FY18 FY19 Joan M. Plevich, Territorial Loon Pairs 289 289 294 296 309 Database Technician Nesting Pairs 208 211 207 202 226 Bette Ruyffelaert Assistant Center Manager Chicks Hatched 203 234 198 168 224 Chicks Surviving to mid-August 154 174 147 126 157

Loon Preservation Committee ■ PO Box 604 ■ 183 Lee’s Mill Road ■ Moultonborough NH 03254 ■ 603-476-LOON (5666) ■ www.loon.org FINANCIAL SUMMARY:

Loon Preservation Committee: Summary of Activities and Changes in Net Assets Fiscal Year Ending: March 31 FY15 FY16 FY17 FY18 FY19 Revenue: Contributions, Grants and Events $651,074 $685,725 $627,291 $710,453 $959,380 Store Sales, Net Cost of Goods $38,231 $42,188 $43,070 $40,013 $38,894 Endowment and Dividends $39,616 $29,973 $34,576 $31,770 $19,657

Total Revenue $728,921 $757,886 $704,937 $782,236 $1,017,931

Expenses: Program Expenses $526,666 $568,278 $563,088 $578,166 $627,733 Administrative $87,403 $84,191 $88,141 $94,855 $103,132 Fundraising $47,161 $44,697 $47,601 $49,053 $48,182

Total Expenses $661,230 $697,166 $698,830 $722,074 $779,047

Increase in Net Assets: $67,691 $60,720 $6,107 $60,162 $238,884

REVENUE $1,200,000 LPC’s financial records are audited by Rowley & Associates of Concord, NH. Copies of the $1,000,000 audit and the IRS 990 return are available upon request at The Loon Center. $800,000

$600,000

$400,000

$200,000

$0 FY15 FY16 FY17 FY18 FY19 Endowment and Dividends Net Store Sales ContribuCons, Grants and Events Total Revenue

EXPENSES $900,000

$800,000

$700,000

$600,000

$500,000

$400,000

$300,000 DAN AND GINGER GUMM

$200,000

$100,000

$0 FY15 FY16 FY17 FY18 FY19 Fundraising Administra;ve Program Expenses Total Expenses

Loon Preservation Committee ■ PO Box 604 ■ 183 Lee’s Mill Road ■ Moultonborough NH 03254 ■ 603-476-LOON (5666) ■ www.loon.org All in a day’s work...

LPC Staff Biologist, Caroline Hughes, floats a Tufts Veterinary Intern, Kim Freid, surveys raft on Squam Lake in spring of 2018. LPC Tewksbury Lake for loons. LPC staff surveyed staff and volunteers floated 89 rafts on lakes 357 lakes to assess presence, abundance, throughout New Hampshire. and breeding success of loons.

Lakes Region Biologist, Henry Stevens, floats Tufts Veterinary Pathologist, Dr. Mark Pokras, signs on Wicwas Lake. Signs like these pro- and LPC’s Caroline Hughes remove monofila- tected 114 nesting pairs of loons throughout ment line from a rescued loon – one of 16 the state. rescued by LPC staff.

LPC’s partnership with New Hamp- shire Fish & Game and two partici- pating tackle shops removed over Why we do what we do – 4,700 pieces of lead tackle as a the first loon chick hatched on Crescent Lake in over 40 years! threat to loons and other wildlife.

“Arise early, be quiet and listen, for the voice speaking is not our own and goes to the ends of the earth.” ~Thomas B. Kennedy

Loon Preservation Committee ■ PO Box 604 ■ 183 Lee’s Mill Road ■ Moultonborough NH 03254 ■ 603-476-LOON (5666) ■ www.loon.org LPC’s Live Loon Cams—What have we learned?

his summer, LPC’s live loon stances could have led to vastly ily mean that our current under- Tcams continued to reveal new different results: had the day standing of loon nesting sched- insights into the lives of nesting been warmer and sunnier, the egg ules is incorrect, their behavior loons. Once again, we broadcast could have “cooked” on the nest does seem to suggest that incuba- the nest attempts of two loon and become inviable. Likewise, if tion schedules may be more vari- pairs from start to finish. View- the day had been colder, the egg able than we previously thought. ers from all over the world were could have chilled to fatal temper- able to witness firsthand the atures and become inviable. Had 3) When building their nests entire nesting process, from nest a hungry predator been around quickly, loons can accidentally site selection and nest building while the loons were away, the bury their eggs, causing those to incubation and chick hatch. egg could have become an easy eggs to become inviable. Early LPC biologists hosted chat ses- snack. Because so many different on in the nesting period of loon sions two to three times per week factors have the potential to cause cam one, increasing water lev- during which viewers could ask an unattended egg to fail, it is els meant that the loons had to questions about loon biology and critical that loons are not flushed build up their nest quickly to the behaviors that they were see- from their nests. avoid flooding. As they franti- ing. The loon cams proved to be cally added nest material to an educational experience for both his year, we documented on film their nest bowl, one of the eggs the viewers and for LPC staff. Tmany phenomena that our staff disappeared. Much speculation Because video technology allows may have heard reports of in the occurred regarding what had for continuous monitoring of the past but had never before witnessed happened to the egg—had it been loon nests, we continued to learn firsthand. kicked into the water as the loons more about loon biology, nest- got on and off of the nest? Was ing behavior, and the threats that 2) Incubation schedules may it somewhere on the outside of nesting loons face as we tuned in. differ from pair to pair. Previ- the nest bowl? One eagle-eyed This year, we documented on film ously published studies have viewer noticed that in the hours many phenomena that our staff suggested that female loons tend following the egg’s disappear- may have heard reports of in the to incubate more often than males ance, the loons appeared to be past but had never before wit- at night and towards the end of trying to dig something out of nessed firsthand. New informa- the incubation period. The loon their nest. When our biologist tion gleaned from the loon cams pair on loon cam one seemed to visited the nest at the end of the this year included the following: buck this tradition—attentive nesting period, he found the lost viewers have noted that for the egg buried deep in the muck of 1) Loon eggs have the potential to past several years, the male of this the nest bowl. In their haste to remain viable after being left un- pair has done much of the night- save their nest from flooding, the attended for 10 hours. Two weeks time incubation. Additionally, the loons had accidentally pressed the into the incubation period of our female has tended to take exten- egg into the soft muck and buried second loon nest, the male loon sive breaks late in the incuba- it beneath layers of nest material. left the nest and did not return tion period. You may remember The complete burial of an egg is until a full 10 hours later. We’re that in 2018, she disappeared for unusual (though not unheard of), not sure how long loon eggs can more than an entire day as the and had it not been for the pres- go unattended while remaining eggs were hatching, forcing the ence of the loon cam we may have viable, but this 10-hour incubation male to incubate and care for the never found this egg or even been gap seems to be at the longer end newly hatched chicks by himself aware of its existence. of the spectrum for a nest attempt for over 24 hours. This year, the where the egg went on to hatch. male continued to do the bulk of 4) For the first time, we docu- However, while this one egg the incubating close to the hatch mented on film the predation of a survived, it does not mean that date, often taking shifts lasting loon chick by an eagle. While we all eggs left unincubated for such ten hours or more. While this one have had credible reports from long stretches of time will also loon pair represents just a single volunteers and colleagues of remain viable. Different circum- data point that does not necessar- continued on page 16

- 15 - continued from page 15 eagles predating loon chicks in the past, prior to this year we have never before had photo or 2019 Annual Loon Census video evidence of this phenom- enon. The loon cam was able to n July 20th, 520 census participants took to 104 of New Hamp- capture two separate visits from Oshire’s lakes to count loons as part of the annual volunteer Loon an eagle to the nest on loon cam Census event. The lakes surveyed during the census represent just one. Two days before the hatch, under 1/3 of the lakes that LPC biologists monitor annually, and the the eagle swooped down and observations submitted by census participants are incorporated into flushed the incubating loon off of the season-long data collected by our biologists on these lakes. In the nest. At that time, we were total, census participants counted 430 adult loons, 79 loon chicks, surprised when the eagle flew off and 6 immature loons. without taking the egg; however This year, as in the past, volunteers worked together to coordi- to the shock of everyone viewing, nate the census on larger lakes. Accurately surveying large lakes just hours after the hatch occurred that have multiple pairs of resident loons is a challenge, as it can be two days later the eagle returned easy to double count loons or miss loons that move around during and flew off with the chick. This the course of the survey. Our census coordinators worked to recruit was difficult and disheartening for loon-loving webcam viewers enough participants to ensure that the large lakes had adequate cov- to watch, particularly those that erages and reviewed the data collected prior to submitting it to LPC had been avidly watching the nest to ensure no loons were double counted. LPC would like to extend and anticipating the hatch since our sincere thanks to all census participants and coordinators for the eggs were laid. However, we their help! We hope that everyone who participated enjoyed observ- hope for the day when the only ing these beautiful birds, and we encourage you to save the date for threats to nesting loons and loon next year’s loon census—Saturday July 18th, 8-9 a.m.! chicks are natural predators such as eagles. We are thrilled that our loon cams continue to be such valuable he 2019 field season saw the addition of seven first-time nest- educational tools, both for our au- Ting pairs, of which four successfully hatched chicks. These dience and for our staff. We look milestones are in part the result of increased monitoring, research, forward to continuing to learn management, and education funded by LPC’s Loon Recovery Plan. from them in the future. Thank you to all who tuned in, and we For more information about the Loon Recovery Plan, or to make hope you will continue to watch and learn with us next year! a donation, please contact SeniorBiologist/Executive Director, Harry Vogel, at 603-476-5666 or [email protected]. ~Caroline Hughes

Volunteer and photographer, Brooks Campbell, captured this loon pair breeding in Wolfeboro, including a male loon origi- nally banded in 2006 on Little Sebago Lake in Maine, over 50 miles away—a rare dispersal distance!

The greatest reward for remembering the Loon Preservation Committee in your will or trust is knowing that the wild call of the loon will echo across New Hampshire’s lakes for generations to come.

- 16 - “Wentworth Warriors” Organize Island Olympics

he “Arnold” family camp on TPoplar Island, Lake Went- worth, was the venue for the “Is- land Olympics” this summer—a fundraiser organized by a handful of grandchildren to benefit loons! The event was the brainchild of McKenna and Whitt Pierce, and Brooke and Shane Arnold (aka the “Wentworth Warriors”) with some help from older brother, Ethan Arnold. Below is their nar- rative of the event, as written by McKenna and Brooke:

hen you see a loon up close “W on Lake Wentworth you get the chills. They are hauntingly beau- tiful, majestic creatures, and the idea that they are in danger from eagles The Wentworth Warriors and friends prepare for the Island Olympics on Pop- and even us humans, is a sad and lar Island, Lake Wentworth, to raise funds to help loons! startling idea. So even though we are only kids, we decided to do something about it. On Saturday, August 3rd, after a few hours of work, we were and happy how it turned out, and our club, the Wentworth Warriors, finally ready to host the Island Olym- so grateful to be helping protect these met up at the Brockway Camp on pics. Little did we know that soon al- amazing animals.” Poplar Island. We knew we wanted most every single person from around to do a fundraiser for the loons—but the island would come to gather and We are deeply heartened by what? After almost two hours of participate, all because of us and all the efforts of these young people brainstorming we had an idea. Island for the loons. After a spectacular to recognize a problem and work Olympics. It would consist of five two-hour event we had raised $120 toward a solution while involv- events—running, swimming, - for the Loon Preservation Committee! ing their community. There is a ing, the longest throw, and a long But the most surprising part was that movement afoot by youth across jump off a dock. We quickly pulled it two anonymous people matched the the globe to mobilize change. We together, making sign-up sheets and $120 we made, bringing the total up applaud the Wentworth Warriors going around to all the houses on the to $360, and soon more money was for setting such a positive ex- island, asking if they would like to donated, so in the end we made $430 ample and for raising awareness sign up, to watch, or to compete. We for the loons! We were so surprised about New Hampshire’s loons! asked each person for a dollar admis- sion for either watching or compet- ing. Many people generously gave us $20 each, and many signed up to watch and participate in the events. By the time we finished going around the island, it was almost dinner time, and all we knew was that we were going to be hosting a ton of people at the Arnold camp the next day. We were totally unprepared. When we woke up, we immediately got to work. Soon enough, it was 10:45am, and

- 17 - VOLUNTEER PROFILES Drs. Keenan & North—Recipients of the 2019 Spirit of the Loon Award

he Loon Preservation Com- Tmittee held its Annual Meet- ing on Thursday, August 22, at The Loon Center in Moultonbor- ough, New Hampshire, follow- ing a gathering of many of LPC’s community of volunteers, mem- bers, and friends to share loon stories over a potluck dinner. The meeting opened at 7:00 p.m. with a welcome from the outgoing Chair of the Loon Preservation Committee Board, Brian Reilly. Brian remarked on another successful year of work throughout New Hampshire to support loons and presented LPC’s Annual Report for the fiscal year ended March 31st of 2019 (included on pages 11-14 of this Newsletter). LPC’s treasurer, Glyn Green, reported that LPC had completed the Fiscal Year ended March 31st of 2019 in the Harry Vogel proudly presents the 2019 Spirit of the Loon Award to Dr. Kelly black with a clean audit (inter- Keenan and Dr. Lindy North of Meadow Pond Animal Hospital for their com- ested members of the public may passionate and tireless work to administer veterinary care to loons in distress. contact the Loon Preservation Committee for copies of LPC’s au- counties of Western New York Planning, Executive Director of dited FY19 Financial Statements State. Alex previously served on Nashua Regional Planning Com- or download them from the web the board of Shady Hill School mission, and Executive Director at www.loon.org). Brian thanked and as Chair of the school’s Audit of Upper Valley - Lake Sunapee retiring Trustee, Chip Broadhurst, Committee. Council. He has also served on for his many years of service on Brenda Stowe is a veterinarian the Boards of The Nature Con- the LPC Board, while three new with over 20 years of experience servancy, NH Lakes, JPAC, NE Board of Trustees–Alex Moot, in clinical veterinary practice. She Interstate Water Pollution Con- Brenda Stowe, and Bob Varney– is also founder and proprietor of trol Commission, Environmental were welcomed. two small animal practices. She Council of the States, Federal Alex Moot is a Co-Founder and was Medical Director for the NH Ozone Transport Commission, General Partner of Blue Highway Humane Society and continues to Governmental Advisory Com- Capital. He has 18 years of expe- work with Dr. Mark Pokras, Di- mittee and State/EPA Superfund rience in the private equity indus- rector of Tufts Wildlife Clinic and Policy Forum. Additionally, Bob try investing in small companies. Professor Emeritus, performing has a long history with LPC. Alex currently serves as Board necropsies on loons while help- A highlight of the Annual President of the Chocorua Lake ing assess the health of the local Meeting was the presentation Conservancy, a small land trust population. of the 12th annual “Spirit of the located in New Hampshire. He is Bob Varney’s professional Loon” Award, created to honor an active member of the Western experience includes President of LPC’s founder, Rawson Wood, by New York Foundation, which Normandeau Associates, Regional recognizing an individual who supports sustainable nonprofit Administrator of EPA – Region 1, exemplifies outstanding volun- organizations that improve the Commissioner of NH DES, Direc- teer service to loons and the Loon quality of life in the seven tor of the NH Office of State Preservation Committee. LPC

- 18 - Family Donates Bench in Memory of LPC Volunteer, Marilyn Coppo

e were deeply saddened Wto learn of the passing of Marilyn Coppo, a long-standing volunteer at The Loon Center and a dear friend to us all. For over 15 years she was a dedicated and hard-working seasonal volunteer, lightening the load for LPC staff during our busiest season—al- ways with her signature smile. Sadly, she lost her courageous battle with cancer in July of this year. It was Marilyn’s kind ways and wonderful sense of humor that we’ll miss most. She made us laugh! The Coppo family recently donated a bench in Marilyn’s memory which sits on the front Husband, Bob Coppo (seated left), is surrounded by fam- porch of The Loon Center. It is ily and friends on the porch of The Loon Center during the a wonderful reminder of Mari- presentation of a bench donated by the Coppo family in lyn and her love and passion for Marilyn’s memory. loons and life!

was thrilled to present the 2019 devote to treating every sick or were very pleased to name them “Spirit of the Loon” Award to injured loon we bring to them. our “Spirit of the Loon” Award Veterinarians Kelly Keenan And, on those sad occasions when recipients for this year! and Lindy North, owners of the a loon needs to be euthanized, Completing the evening was Meadow Pond Animal Hospital they are always treated with the an outstanding presentation by in Moultonborough. Drs. Keenan utmost respect and compassion photographer and long-time LPC and North have donated many by Kelly and Lindy. member and volunteer, John hours and the resources of their Their concern for the loons Rockwood. LPC Senior Biologist/ veterinary clinic to help LPC give they treat extends beyond the Executive Director, Harry Vogel, the best possible care for sick or time loons are in their clinic, as followed with preliminary results injured loons. It has been invalu- they always inquire about the fate of the monitoring, research, man- able to have Kelly and Lindy near of a treated loon or the results of agement, and educational pro- The Loon Center to x-ray and as- a necropsy of a bird that died. grams in 2019, and reported on sess these loons to help determine And they have both been great LPC’s work in ensuring a success- the best course of treatment, and advocates for loons and LPC and ful year for loons in New Hamp- also to x-ray dead loons to help are avid and concerned watchers shire. (Please see a full report of determine causes of death. of their resident pair of loons on our work on pages 3-10, and 15-16 They have never hesitated to Green’s Basin on Winnipesaukee. of this LPC Newsletter.) help us in the middle of a busy Kelly and Lindy have been Thank you to all who attended workday, or after hours, and that important partners in our efforts the Annual Meeting to help us has been crucial to providing to protect and recover loons in celebrate another year of success immediate treatment for live NH, and LPC and all of us who in recovering New Hampshire’s birds. Their care and concern is value wildlife owe them a debt of loon population! evident in the time and effort they gratitude for their work. We ~Harry Vogel

- 19 - LOON PRESERVATION COMMITTEE ACTIVITIES Summer Outreach Events Support LPC and Educate the Public

42nd Annual Loon Festival t was a scorcher for the 42nd IAnnual Loon Festival, held on July 20th at The Loon Center. But that didn’t keep away loon enthusiasts who came to enjoy a host of activities from slide shows and kids’ crafts to live music and a cookout! (The Ben & Jerry’s ice cream was particularly popular!) We have many people to thank for making the day the success that it was. The Meredith Rotary Club pro- vided hot dogs, chips, soft drinks, and ice cream to keep our guests nourished and hydrated. Many Illustrator, Phyllis Stibler, and author, Martha Kruse, were on hand at the thanks to the following Rotar- Festival with their “Haley Mae” story series, the loon being the subject of a ians who lent a hand cooking and rescue in “Whispers on Winnipesaukee”. serving: Ben Bare, Tim Berquist, Betsey Donovan, Tom Fairbrother, We were happy to welcome Prouty (In Memory of Phyllis Ted Fodero, Carl Johnson, Jim back The Sweetbloods duo—Janet Dane Prouty). McFarlin, Mike Pelczar, Fred and Phil Sanguedolce—with their It takes a village to host a Loon Strader, and Donna Ulbricht. Ben soft acoustics and vocals, as well Festival and we are very fortunate & Jerry’s of Meredith donated as Mo and his amazing balloon to have one! the ice cream, while the Meredith creations and lively banter! Hannaford and CG Roxane gener- Our seasonal field biologists The Winni Swim: Making a ously supplied water. The Mug deserve an extra nod for both en- Splash for Loons! restaurant also helped with food tertaining our guests with educa- For a second summer swim- costs. tional loon slide shows and taking mers Brenda Gallagher and Pam The Squam Lakes Natural a turn in the dunk tank. Halsey took to the water to raise Science Center, represented by We wish to thank our dedi- money for New Hampshire’s volunteers Margaret Gillespie, Jan cated LPC volunteers who helped loons! The event started last Deleault, and Tina Dussault, pro- with kids’ crafts, selling raffle year as Pam and Brenda worked vided a Discovery Table as well as tickets and memberships, direct- toward their goal of swimming live animals for all to enjoy. Erin ing traffic, and greeting guests: around all the islands not con- Mastine and Hollyn Waters of Nan and Ron Baker, Susan and nected by a bridge on Lake Win- New Hampshire Lakes were also Bob Connelly, Madison Evasius, nipesaukee. LPC Board member, on hand with their Watershed Eunice Jackson, Reinette & Brian Bev LaFoley, thought it a great Warriors activity which teaches Reilly, Jack Rich, Mike Ruyffe- opportunity to call attention to kids how to keep our lakes clean. laert, Sue & John Scudder, and our work and came up with the Many thanks to both groups for Heather Vernon. idea to make the Ragged Island providing these educational op- And last but not least, many swim a fundraiser for LPC. portunities! thanks to our Loon Festival Spon- This year the duo, along with Volunteers Caitlyn Dowell and sors who helped to underwrite other volunteer swimmers, re- Emily Landry patiently painted the cost of hosting the Festival: peated their swim around Ragged little faces with a variety of Tom and Suzy Beach, Vicky Brox Island to raise awareness about themes including loons, superhe- (In Memory of Chuck Brox), Clark loons and their challenges. Once roes, and butterflies! It was fun and Gloria Chandler, Allan and again Bev, with the generous sup- to admire their handiwork on so Judy Fulkerson, Sally McGarry port of Bill Irwin, spearheaded the many youngsters milling about. and Phyllis Veazey, and Jordan event and provided lunch for all

- 20 - The 2019 Winni Swim participants: Lori Hyslip, Maureen Casey, Brian Casey, Pam Markley, Brenda Gallagher, Pam Halsey, David Martino, John Gallagher, Bill Irwin, Rod Burdette, and Tony Halsey. attendees. Donations, totaling Chair from 2007 until his retire- over $3,800, will be used towards ment in August of 2010. He was LPC’s Loon Recovery Plan—to personally responsible for orga- Many thanks to our recover a viable population of nizing LPC’s first golf tournament Golf Prime Sponsors: loons in New Hampshire through back in 2005 which has become a increased monitoring and man- much anticipated annual event. agement; to broaden the scope This year’s tournament was of LPC’s research; and to expand held on August 19th at Ridge- LPC’s work to educate the public wood Country Club in Moulton- about loons and their needs. borough, NH. Prime Tournament Many thanks to Brenda and Sponsors were: Jamison’s, Mill Jamison’sComing to Gilford, spring 2020! Pam and their entourage of swim- Falls at the Lake, and Overhead mers, LPC Trustee Bev LaFoley, Door Options. We are most Bill Irwin of Irwin Marine, and the grateful for their generous sup- Lakes Region Conservation Trust port which allows us to put more AmeriCorps volunteers for their resources toward saving loons! unique contributions to another We were delighted to wel- successful Winni Swim. Keep an come 71 golfers to the course this eye out for a repeat event next year. The winning foursome was year as Pam and Brenda wish to Overhead Door Options: Brad continue supporting LPC’s Loon Leighton, Nick Leighton, Gar- Recovery efforts! rett Lavallee, and Chris Curran. Prizes were also awarded to Carl Johnson Memorial Golf men’s and women’s closest to pin Tournament and longest drive, and there was Senator Carl Johnson was a a 50/50 putting contest run by champion of many worthy causes, volunteer Tony Avrutine. including New Hampshire’s lakes Many thanks to our hole-in- and loons. As an active member one sponsor: Marina; of the Loon Preservation Commit- our hole sign sponsor: Saltmarsh tee Board since 1998, he served as continued on page 22

- 21 - continued from page 21 Insurance Agency; and to the 36 businesses and individuals who sponsored hole signs: Ameriprise Financial, Bartlett Contracting, DAK Financial Group, E&S Insur- Save the Date… ance, Gregory W. Egli (In Memory of Carl & Jeannette Johnson), Eldridge & Gillespie, Frog Rock Tavern, Gerald Peters & Judy Black & White Extravaganza Crouse, Hawkeye Appraisals, Inter-Lakes Builders, Ippolito’s Celebrating 45 Years! Furniture, Irwin Automotive Group, Carl & Linda Egli Johnson (In Memory of William “Scottie” Griffin), Robert Kennelly Sr. (In Memory of Kay Kennelly), Mari- nace Architects, Meadow Pond Animal Hospital, Mello Moose Coffee House, Meredith Insurance Agency, Meredith Rotary Club, Frank S. Michel, NH Environmen- tal Consultants, Remax Bayside- Bayside Rentals, Bob Shirey, Am- bassador Paul W. & Renee Speltz, Stewart’s Ambulance Service, Fred & Betty Strader (In Memory Bald Peak Colony Club of Carl Johnson, Sr.), The Bartlett July 18, 2020 Family, The Broadhurst Family, Veterans Count, and Wood & 6:00 PM Clay. Lastly, the tournament would not be possible without the tire- less support and dedication of Invitations to be mailed June, 2020 Carl Johnson, Jr. Thank you, Carl!

~Linda Egli Johnson Photo Courtesy of Sam Merker

ature gives to every- “N time and season some beauties of its own.”

~Charles Dickens oliday shopping on amazon.com? HPick the Loon Preservation Commit- tee from Amazon’s list of participating charities and they will donate a portion of the purchase price to LPC!

- 22 - The Loon’s Feather Gift Shop Selling “all things loon” and more!

ouble your giving by doing your holiday shopping at The Loon’s Feather Gift Shop. Not Donly do we have a wonderful selection of loon and nature-themed items to choose from, but the profit from your purchase goes directly toward protecting New Hampshire’s loons! You can visit the gift shop in person at The Loon Center (Thursday - Saturday, 9am - 5pm) or shop online at www.loon.org. We are also available by phone Monday - Saturday, 9am - 5pm, to help you select that perfect gift!

The Alice’s Cottage “Loon” Collection

Beautiful home goods, made in the USA. Great for house warming or hostess gifts and stocking stuffers!

Flour Sack Towels (set of 2) - $15.95 Potholder - $6.45 Gift-boxed Mug Mats (set of 4) - $14.95 Individual Spiced Mug Mat - $4.95 Gourmet Gift Caddy - $6.45

Flour Sack Towel & Magnetic Note Pad Set - $13.45 Individual Magnetic Note Pad - $4.45

Available in The Loon’s Feather Gift Shop or in our online store.

603-476-LOON (5666)

- 23 - Loon Preservation Committee PO Box 604 Moultonborough, NH 03254

Alton 875-8500 Ashland 968-7103 Center Harbor 253-7303 The Loon Preservation Committee Gilford 528-1500 gratefully acknowledges Laconia 527-6030 Melvin Village 544-2019 Meredith 279-7986 Meredith-Route 104 279-5274 Moultonborough 476-2300 Plymouth-Hannaford 536-3200 Plymouth-Main Street 536-8228 for underwriting this publication. Portsmouth 334-9661 Wolfeboro 569-6655

Toll-free (800) 922-6872 www.mvsb.com

Kittie Wilson Photo