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Tips for Viewing The Mission of the Loon Understanding Loons: Loons Preservation Committee Learn to Read the Signs

LPC’s mission is to restore and maintain a  You can observe fascinating healthy population of loons throughout behaviors by maintaining a respectful New Hampshire; to monitor the health and distance and allowing loons to focus productivity of loon populations as senti- on taking care of themselves and nels of environmental quality; and to pro- their chicks. mote a greater understanding of loons and  Boat slowly in the vicinity of loons the natural world. and stop at least 150 feet away. The loons may come closer or they may To learn more about loons, please visit move away; always let them decide The Loon Center at 183 Lee’s Mill Road, how close they wish to be. Please do Moultonborough, NH not pursue a loon or loon family for a closer view.

 Use binoculars to observe loons without getting too close.

By following these tips, you can get wonderful insights into loons’ daily lives! Loon Preservation Committee PO Box 604, Moultonborough, NH 03254

(603) 476-LOON; www.loon.org Enjoy watching the Loon Preservation Committee Cover photo courtesy of Kittie Wilson loons! www.loon.org Other photos courtesy of Mark Wilson, except for “penguin dance” picture Relaxed loons Concerned loons Stressed loons

Loons may show stress in subtle ways. Be When loons feel A relaxed loon alert for changes in head and neck posture threatened (holding its head that may tell you a loon is feeling threatened. while on the up while on the nest, they will nest) is able to put their heads A nervous loon incubate and down. This posi- will often raise hatch its eggs tion indicates the feathers on its the loon may successfully. forehead to give leave the nest this “squared-off” look. and leave the eggs to overheat, chill, or be tak- This loon is calm en by a predator. and able to carry If you see a loon on a nest with its head out normal down, please back away immediately! behaviors to care This loon is aware of a for itself and its potential threat and is If a boat is too family. stretching its neck to close, a loon may evaluate the situation. become upset and Enjoy watching loons in these positions! perform a dis- traction display Flapping their called a “penguin dance”—rearing wings is a nor- This loon is mal part of watching a possi- up in the water with its wings either preening and ble threat while spread out or clasped against its body bathing for trying to appear and rapidly paddling its feet in the water. loons. inconspicuous. If you see this display, please leave the area immediately! Loons also flap their wings to send warning signals to an approaching threat. Boaters who see this behavior not associat- If you see a loon in these positions, Any vocalization given when you are ed with preening or bathing should back please back away and allow the loon to close to or approaching a loon can away from the loon. resume normal behavior. indicate distress. Please back away!