RESULTS OF THE ADIRONDACK COOPERATIVE LOON PROGRAM’S 2005 ANNUAL LOON CENSUS

We observed the chicks about 6 weeks ago in the bay to the right. The adults were teaching the young to eat a minnow. The little ones would take it in their bills, lose it, and the adults would pick it up and try over again. ~ Duck Pond

This is the first chick we've seen in a number of years. We are absolutely delirious with joy. These loons are wonderful parents. Our little chick is the cutest and smartest of all - and it has the most devoted parents. ~ Osgood Pond

The Adirondack Cooperative Loon Program held its fifth Annual Loon Census on Saturday, July 16th from 8-9 a.m. On a warm, sunny morning, more than 450 dedicated observers surveyed lakes and ponds within the and surrounding region for the presence of adult loons and their young. The results of the census will allow the ACLP to determine long-term trends and fluctuations in population levels for breeding loons in the Adirondack Park of State. Similar Loon Census programs conducted on the same day and same time in other Northeastern states allow scientists to better estimate the regional loon population as a whole.

A total of 221 lakes, based on 265 submitted reports, were included in the 2005 ACLP census analysis (Chart #1). Of the total, 207 (94%) lakes were located within the Adirondack Park, which included 48 randomly selected lakes. These random waterbodies allow the ACLP to use statistical techniques to better estimate the population of common loons summering in the Adirondack Park. An additional 7 lakes or ponds were surveyed but not included in the final results as they were conducted outside of the census hour. However, these observations were recorded in the ACLP’s presence/absence database, and provide valuable information about the location of common loons in the Park.

Chart # 1: ACLP 2005 Annual Loon Census Total # Census Observers, Reports Received, and Census Lakes 500 452 450

400

350

300 265 250 221 200 and Census Lakes

150 Number of Observers, Reports, of Number 100

50

0 Total #Observers Total #Reports Received Total # Census Lakes

In 2005, adult loons with chicks were observed on 52 (24%) of the total 221 lakes surveyed. Adults without chicks were observed on 99 (45%) lakes and no loons were reported on 70 (32%) of the lakes surveyed (Chart #2).

Chart #2: 2005 ACLP Annual Loon Census Lakes With Adults Loons Only, Loon Chicks or Immatures and No Loons Observed 120

99 (45%) 100

80 70 (32%)

60 52 (24%) # Census Lakes 40

20

0 #Lakes with Adult Loons Only #Lakes with Loon Chicks or #Lakes- No Loons Observed Immatures

A total of 540 loons were observed on 151 (68%) of the lakes surveyed. Of the total number of loons recorded, 461 (85%) were adults, 67 (12%) were chicks and 12 (2%) were juveniles (Chart #3).

Chart #3: Number of Adult, Chick, and Immature Loons Observed during 2005 ACLP Annual Loon Census

500 461 (85%) 450

400

350

300

250

200 # Loons Observed # Loons 150

100 67 (12%) 50 12 (2%) 0 #Adults #Chicks #Immature Loons

The locations and results for the lakes and ponds surveyed during the 2005 Annual Loon Census are shown in the 2005 ACLP Annual Loon Census Map. The 2005 ACLP Annual Loon Census Results Table documents the number of loons that were observed on each lake that was surveyed in 2005.

WE ARE VERY GRATEFUL TO THE MANY DEDICATED CENSUS OBSERVERS WHO CONTINUE TO MAKE THE ACLP ANNUAL LOON CENSUS A TRUE SUCCESS.

THANK YOU!

We look forward to another great Annual Loon Census in 2006!

CENSUS OBSERVERS !

ACLP NEEDS YOUR HELP FOR THE 2006 ANNUAL LOON CENSUS!

 ASK YOUR FRIENDS TO OBSERVE A NEW CENSUS LAKE

 HELP SUPPORT THE ACLP SO WE CAN CONTINUE THE ANNUAL LOON CENSUS IN FUTURE YEARS!

2005 ACLP ANNUAL LOON CENSUS RESULTS MAP

2005 ACLP ANNUAL LOON CENSUS RESULTS TABLE

2005 ACLP ANNUAL LOON CENSUS: TOTAL NUMBERS OF LOONS OBSERVED BY LAKE IN TOTAL # LAKE NAME ADK PK COUNTY TOWN # ADULTS # CHICKS # IMMATURES LOONS Ayers Lake Yes Fulton Stratford 3 2 0 5 Bay Pond Yes Franklin Santa Clara 2 2 0 4 Bear Pond Yes Warren Thurman 0 0 0 0 Bear Pond Yes Hamilton Long Lake 1 0 0 1 Bear Pond Yes Franklin Santa Clara 2 2 0 4 Beaver Lake - Hamilton Cty Yes Hamilton Morehouse 2 1 0 3 Beaver Lake - Lewis Cty Yes Lewis Watson 4 1 0 5 Beaver Ponds Yes Essex Minerva 0 0 0 0 Big Moose Lake Yes Herkimer Webb 9 0 0 9 Black Pond Yes Franklin Brighton 2 0 0 2 Bone Pond Yes Franklin Santa Clara 0 0 0 0 Boyd Pond No St Lawrence Russell 1 0 0 1 Brant Lake Yes Warren Horicon 2 0 0 2 Bridge Brook Pond Yes St Lawrence Piercefield 2 0 0 2 Bubb Lake Yes Herkimer Webb 1 2 0 3 Canachagala Lake Yes Herkimer 6 0 0 6 Canada Lake Yes Fulton Caroga 6 0 0 6 Cary Lake Yes Herkimer Webb 0 0 0 0 Cat Pond Yes Franklin Santa Clara 1 0 0 1 Cedar Lakes Yes Hamilton Arietta 7 0 0 7 Flow Yes Hamilton Lake Pleasant 5 0 0 5 Chapel Pond Yes Essex Keene 0 0 0 0 Chatiemac Lake Yes Warren Johnsburg 2 2 0 4 Chaumont Pond Yes St Lawrence Clifton 2 0 0 2 Chazy Lake Yes Clinton Dannemora 4 2 0 6 Clear Pond Yes Franklin Brighton and Franklin 0 0 0 0 Clear Pond Yes Essex Chesterfield 0 0 0 0 Clear Pond Yes Franklin Duane 4 0 0 4 Clear Pond #1 Yes Essex North Hudson 0 0 0 0 Connery Pond Yes Essex North Elba 0 0 0 0 Copper Lake Yes Lewis Greig 2 2 0 4 Copperas Pond Yes Essex North Elba 0 0 0 0 Cranberry Lake Yes St Lawrence Clifton and Colton 12 2 0 14 Cranberry Pond Yes Franklin Waverly 1 0 0 1 Crane Pond Yes St Lawrence Clifton 2 0 0 2 Crystal Lake #1 Yes Lewis Watson 3 0 0 3 Crystal Lake #2 No Jefferson Theresa 3 0 0 3 Deer Pond Yes Franklin Santa Clara 0 0 0 0 Delta Lake No Oneida Western 0 0 0 0 Duck Pond Yes Franklin Franklin 2 0 2 4 Ticonderoga and Crown Eagle Lake Yes Essex Point 0 0 0 0 Yes Fulton Caroga 1 0 0 1 East Pond Yes Herkimer Webb 2 0 0 2 Echo Lake Yes Essex North Elba 0 0 0 0 Echo Lake No Oneida Boonville 2 0 0 2 Effley Falls Pond No Lewis Croghan 2 0 0 2 Eighth Lake Yes Hamilton Inlet 3 0 0 3 Elk Lake Yes Essex North Hudson 5 0 0 5 First Lake -- Bisby Chain Yes Herkimer Webb 2 0 0 2 First Lake-Fulton Chain Yes Herkimer Webb 4 0 0 4 Fish Creek Reservoir - East Branch = unnamed water No Lewis Lewis 2 0 0 2 Fish Pond Yes Franklin Santa Clara 2 1 0 3 Follensby Clear Pond Yes Franklin Santa Clara 3 1 0 4 Fourth Lake Yes Warren Lake Luzerne 0 0 0 0 Francis Lake Yes Lewis Watson 2 0 0 2 Frank Pond Yes Essex Minerva 0 0 0 0 Franklin Falls Pond Yes Franklin 0 0 0 0 G Lake Yes Hamilton Arietta 3 0 0 3 Yes Warren Johnsburg and Thurman 4 1 0 5 Good Luck Lake Yes Hamilton Arietta 2 0 1 3 Goodnow Flowage Yes Essex Newcomb 2 0 0 2

2005 ACLP ANNUAL LOON CENSUS: TOTAL NUMBERS OF LOONS OBSERVED BY LAKE IN TOTAL # LAKE NAME ADK PK COUNTY TOWN # ADULTS # CHICKS # IMMATURES LOONS Goose Pond Yes Franklin Santa Clara 4 1 0 5 Gray Lake Yes Herkimer Webb 2 0 0 2 Green Lake Yes Herkimer Ohio 0 0 0 0 Green Pond #2 Yes Franklin Santa Clara 0 0 0 0 Gull Lake Yes Herkimer Webb 0 0 0 0 Harrisburg Lake Yes Warren Stony Creek 2 1 0 3 Heath Pond Yes St Lawrence Clifton 0 0 0 0 Hinckley Reservoir Yes Herkimer 2 0 0 2 Hoel Pond Yes Franklin Santa Clara 2 0 0 2 Hornet Ponds Yes St Lawrence Colton 1 0 0 1 Horseshoe Pond Yes Franklin Santa Clara 2 0 0 2 Huntley Pond Yes Essex Minerva 2 0 0 2 Icehouse Pond Yes Hamilton Inlet 0 0 0 0 Independence Lake Yes Herkimer Webb 1 0 0 1 Indian Lake - Ham Cty #1 Yes Hamilton Indian lake 5 0 0 5 Indian Lake - Ham Cty #2 Yes Hamilton Morehouse 1 0 0 1 Jabe Pond Yes Warren Hague 3 0 0 3 Johnnycake Lake Yes Saratoga Edinburg 0 0 0 0 Johnson Pond Yes Essex 3 0 0 3 Jones Pond Yes Franklin Brighton 0 0 0 0 Keuka Lake No Steuben 0 0 0 0 Lake Abanakee Yes Hamilton Indian lake 3 0 0 3 Lake Adirondack Yes Hamilton Indian lake 2 0 0 2 Lake Algonquin Yes Hamilton Wells 0 0 0 0 Lake Bonaparte No Lewis Diana 3 1 0 4 Lake Champlain No Clinton 0 0 0 0 Lake Clear Outlet Yes Franklin Harrietstown 0 0 0 0 Lake Desolation Yes Saratoga 0 0 0 0 Lake Eaton Yes Hamilton Long lake 4 0 0 4 Lake George Yes Warren 0 0 1 1 Lake Kushaqua Yes Franklin Franklin 2 0 0 2 Lake Lila Yes Hamilton Long lake 0 0 0 0 Lake Ozonia Yes St Lawrence Hopkinton 5 2 0 7 Lake Placid Yes Essex North Elba 3 0 0 3 Lake Rondaxe Yes Herkimer Webb 4 0 0 4 Lake Snow Yes Hamilton Indian lake 0 0 0 0 Lincoln Pond Yes Essex Elizabethtown 0 0 0 0 Little Beaver Lake Yes Lewis Watson 0 0 0 0 Little Clear Pond Yes Franklin Santa Clara 4 1 0 5 Little Green Pond Yes Franklin Santa Clara 2 0 0 2 Little Long Pond Yes Franklin Santa Clara 2 1 0 3 Little Moose Lake Yes Herkimer Webb 0 0 0 0 Little Pond Yes Warren Thurman 1 2 0 3 Little Safford Lake Yes Herkimer Webb 2 2 0 4 Little Wolf Pond Yes Franklin Tupper Lake 0 0 0 0 Long Lake Yes Oneida Forestport 2 0 0 2 Long Lake Yes Hamilton Long lake 10 0 0 10 Long Pond - Franklin Cty Yes Franklin Santa Clara 3 1 0 4 Long Pond - St. Lawr Cty Yes St Lawrence Piercefield 0 0 0 0 Loon Lake #1 Yes Franklin Franklin 2 1 0 3 Loon Lake #2 Yes Warren Chester 1 0 0 1 Lorton Lake No Oswego 0 0 0 0 Lost Pond Yes Essex Ticonderoga 2 0 0 2 Lower Ausable Lake Yes Essex Keene 2 1 0 3 Lower Browns Tract Pond Yes Hamilton Inlet 0 0 0 0 Lower Saint Regis Lake Yes Franklin Brighton 0 0 0 0 Lower Saranac Lake Yes Franklin Harrietstown 3 0 0 3 Lows Lake Yes St Lawrence Colton 20 2 0 22 Madawaska Pond Yes Franklin Santa Clara 2 0 0 2 Mason Lake Yes Hamilton Lake Pleasant 2 2 0 4 Massawepie Lake Yes St Lawrence Piercefield 5 0 0 5 Mcdonald Pond Yes Franklin Waverly 0 0 0 0 McRorie (Rock Pond) Lake Yes Hamilton Long lake 3 0 0 3 Middle Pond Yes Franklin Santa Clara 2 1 0 3 Harrietstown And Santa Middle Saranac Lake Yes Franklin Clara 6 0 0 6

2005 ACLP ANNUAL LOON CENSUS: TOTAL NUMBERS OF LOONS OBSERVED BY LAKE IN TOTAL # LAKE NAME ADK PK COUNTY TOWN # ADULTS # CHICKS # IMMATURES LOONS Mink Pond Yes Essex Minerva 4 0 0 4 Mirror Lake Yes Essex North Elba 0 0 0 0 Moose Pond Yes Essex St. Armand 0 0 0 0 Morehouse Lake Yes Hamilton Morehouse 2 2 0 4 Moss Lake Yes Herkimer Webb 2 0 0 2 Mountain Lake No Fulton Johnstown 0 0 0 0 Mountain View Lake Yes Franklin Bellmont 2 0 0 2 Muskrat Pond Yes St Lawrence Clifton 0 0 0 0 Newport Pond Yes Essex Moriah 0 0 0 0 Nicks Lake Yes Herkimer Webb 2 0 0 2 Nine Corner Lake Yes Fulton 5 0 0 5 Okara Lakes Yes Herkimer Webb 1 0 0 1 Oregon Pond Yes Franklin Franklin 0 0 0 0 Osgood Pond Yes Franklin Brighton 2 1 0 3 Oven Mountain Pond Yes Warren Johnsburg 2 0 0 2 Owen Pond Yes Essex North Elba 0 0 0 0 Paradox Lake Yes Essex Schroon 0 0 0 0 Payne Lake Yes Lewis Watson 0 0 0 0 Peck Lake Yes Fulton Bleecker and Johnstown 10 0 0 10 Pharaoh Lake Yes Essex Schroon 1 0 0 1 Pillsbury Lake Yes Hamilton Arietta 2 0 1 3 Pine Lake Yes Fulton Caroga 2 2 0 4 Piseco Lake -Big Bay Yes Hamilton Arietta 2 0 0 2 Pleasant Lake Yes Fulton Stratford 0 0 0 0 Polliwog Pond Yes Franklin Santa Clara 1 0 0 1 Pyramid Lake Yes Essex Schroon 3 0 0 3 Quiver Pond Yes Herkimer Webb 0 0 0 0 Rainbow Falls Reservoir Yes St Lawrence Parishville 0 0 0 0 Rainbow Lake Yes Franklin Franklin 3 2 0 5 Raquette Lake Yes Hamilton Arietta 12 1 1 14 Rat Pond Yes Franklin Santa Clara 1 0 0 1 Rich Lake Yes Essex Newcomb 2 0 0 2 Rock Pond Yes Herkimer Webb 0 0 0 0 Round Lake Yes Oneida Forestport 2 0 0 2 Yes Hamilton Lake Pleasant 1 0 1 2 Saint Regis Pond Yes Franklin Santa Clara 2 1 0 3 Sand Lake Yes Herkimer Webb 8 0 0 8 Schroon Lake Yes Warren 1 0 0 1 Second Lake Yes Herkimer Webb 0 0 0 0 Second Lake-- Bisby Chain Yes Herkimer Webb 1 0 0 1 Seventh Lake Fulton Chain Yes Hamilton Inlet 6 0 0 6 Silver Lake Yes Clinton Black Brook 0 0 0 0 Silver Lake Yes St Lawrence Clifton 2 0 0 2 Simon Pond Yes Franklin Tupper Lake 2 0 1 3 Sis Lake Yes Herkimer Webb 1 0 0 1 Sixberry Lake No Jefferson Theresa 0 0 0 0 Sixth Lake Yes Hamilton Inlet 2 1 0 3 Slang Pond Yes Franklin Santa Clara 3 0 0 3 Snowbird Lake=unnamed water No Oneida Forestport 2 2 0 4 Soft Maple Reservoir Yes Lewis 2 0 0 2 South Lake Yes Hamilton Arietta 0 0 0 0 South Lake Yes Herkimer Ohio 6 0 0 6 Spitfire Lake Yes Franklin Brighton 2 0 0 2 Split Rock Pond Yes Essex Minerva 1 0 0 1 Square Pond Yes Franklin Franklin 2 0 0 2 Squaw Lake Yes Hamilton Morehouse 3 0 0 3 St. Lawrence River No St.Lawrence 2 0 0 2 Star Lake Yes St Lawrence Fine 1 0 0 1 Stark Falls Reservoir Yes St lawRence Colton 0 0 0 0 Stillwater Reservoir Yes Herkimer Webb 8 6 0 14 Stoner Lake Yes Fulton 2 0 0 2 Stony Pond Yes Essex Minerva 4 0 0 4 Streeter Lake Yes St Lawrence Fine 2 0 0 2 Tamarack Lake Yes Herkimer Webb 2 1 0 3 Third Lake-- Fulton Chain Yes Herkimer Webb 0 0 0 0 Thirsty Pond Yes Herkimer Webb 0 0 0 0

2005 ACLP ANNUAL LOON CENSUS: TOTAL NUMBERS OF LOONS OBSERVED BY LAKE IN TOTAL # LAKE NAME ADK PK COUNTY TOWN # ADULTS # CHICKS # IMMATURES LOONS Thirteenth Lake Yes Warren Johnsburg 4 0 0 4 Thumb Pond Yes Essex Minerva 0 0 0 0 Thurman Pond Yes Essex Schroon 1 1 0 2 Tooley Pond Yes St Lawrence Clare 0 0 0 0 Trout Lake Yes St Lawrence Hermon 0 0 0 0 Tupper Lake Yes Franklin Tupper Lake 3 0 0 3 Turtle Pond Yes Franklin Santa Clara 2 0 0 2 Twin Pond Yes Herkimer Webb 0 0 0 0 Twitchell Lake Yes Herkimer Webb 3 0 0 3 Union Falls Pond Yes Clinton 0 0 0 0 Upper Ausable Lake Yes Essex 2 0 1 3 Upper Chateaugay Lake Yes Clinton Dannemora 0 0 0 0 Upper Saint Regis Lake Yes Franklin Brighton 8 0 2 10 Upper Saranac Lake Yes Franklin Brighton 7 2 0 9 Vandenburg Pond/Lake Edward Yes Fulton Bleecker 2 1 0 3 Wakely Pond Yes Hamilton Lake Pleasant 0 0 0 0 Weller Pond Yes Franklin Santa Clara 0 0 0 0 Yes Fulton Caroga 1 0 0 1 West Lake Yes Fulton Caroga 0 0 0 0 West Lake Yes Herkimer Webb 1 0 0 1 Whitaker Lake Yes Hamilton Lake Pleasant 2 0 1 3 White Lake Yes Oneida Forestport 1 0 0 1 Whitney Lake Yes Hamilton Arietta 2 0 0 2 Whitney Pond Yes Franklin Waverly 0 0 0 0 Wilmurt Lake Yes Hamilton Morehouse 2 0 0 2 Windfall Pond Yes Franklin Tupper Lake 2 0 0 2 Wolf Pond Yes Franklin Tupper Lake 6 2 0 8 Wolf Pond Yes Franklin Bellmont 2 1 0 3 Woodhull Lake Yes Herkimer Webb 13 1 0 14 TOTAL # LOONS OBSERVED ON CENSUS LAKES 461 67 12 540