ADIRONDACK CENTER FOR LOON CONSERVATION 2018 NEW YORK LOON CENSUS RESULTS More than 530 observers participated in the eighteenth Annual New York Loon Census on Saturday, July 21, 2018. One hundred ninety-one (96%) of the 200 Census lakes were in the Adirondack Park. A total of 643 loons were observed on 158 (79%) of the Census lakes, including 552 (86%) adults, 82 (13%) chicks, and 9 (1%) immature loons. The percent of Census lakes with loons has been gradually increasing over the 18 years of the NY Loon Census, as shown in the graph to the right, indicating that the NY loon population is slowly growing in size and expanding its range (also documented by the increase in loons on lakes between the two NY Breeding Bird Atlases in the 1980s and the early 2000s). Two hundred and seventy-one Census reports were received in 2018, 11 of which were not included in the analysis because the observations were conducted outside the Census hour or were duplicated efforts on a lake. Thus, 260 reports were included in the 2018 Loon Census analysis. 1 The Census has provided data, as well as anecdotal evidence (e.g., the quote below from Follensby Clear), that the Adirondack loon population is likely nearing the carrying capacity of the Adirondack Park, as loons are filling the majority of the available territories. In some cases, they may try to fit in new sub-optimal territories between others. In other cases, loner loons may battle with an existing pair (even to the point of killing another adult or chicks) to try and take over a high-quality territory. Reports of loon fights have also increased in the last several years, but were not observed earlier in our work. “I've lived on our lake (Upper Saranac) and paddled the nearby ponds all my life (1/2 century!) and although it was very rare to see loons years ago, the last few (8-10) years have seen an "explosion" of our loon population! Very good news, but now it appears they're running out of bodies of water to live on in the summers - almost too many of them. I see loons "everywhere" now, on every little pond and lake, as long as they have enough distance to fly back off. They're such a unique creature, so beautiful and strong and older than us by 6x! They're my absolute favorite, having studied them (on a novice level) and read/researched them for many years (decades!)—My home and office are decorated with loon "stuff"!” ~Follensby Clear “After covering the census area, went back to observe the loon family for a while. Parents fed the chicks several fish and chicks seemed to be learning to dive. A friend took many pictures, some very nice. Great morning! Love participating in the census.” ~Paradox Lake The Annual Loon Census provides valuable information about the status and trends in New York’s summer loon population, enabling the NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation to better manage the population of these beautiful birds who breed in New York. We are most grateful to the staff of the former Wildlife Conservation Society’s Adirondack Program, particularly Carrianne Pershyn, who collaborated with Dr. Schoch for many years to coordinate the NY Annual Loon Census. Sadly, the WCS’ Adirondack Program closed its doors in the fall of 2018. However, we will be continuing the NY Loon Census, and look forward to your participation in 2019, and long into the future! “It was most interesting to watch adults protect chicks when osprey appeared. This was my pleasure. I look forward to your report. Thank you for your excellent work.” ~Sixth Lake 2 2018 NEW YORK LOON CENSUS MAP The 2018 New York Loon Census Map shows the locations and results for the lakes and ponds surveyed during the 2018 Annual Loon Census. 3 2018 NEW YORK LOON CENSUS RESULTS BY LAKE Total Total Total #Immature Total Lake Name County Township #Adults #Chicks Loons #Loons Observed Observed Observed Alford Pond Essex North Elba 2 0 0 2 Amber Lake St Lawrence Hopkinton 2 0 0 2 Balfour Lake Essex Minerva 0 0 0 0 Barnum Pond Franklin Brighton 2 0 1 3 Bay Pond Franklin Santa Clara 11 0 0 11 Santa Clara and Bear Pond Franklin 2 0 0 2 Harrietstown Beaver Lake - Hamilton Cty Hamilton Morehouse 3 0 0 3 Beaver Lake - Lewis Cty Lewis Watson 2 0 0 2 Bigsby Pond Essex Schroon 2 0 0 2 Black Pond Franklin Brighton 5 0 0 5 Blue Mountain Lake Hamilton Indian Lake 2 1 0 3 Brandreth Lake Hamilton Long Lake 5 2 0 7 Brant Lake Warren Horicon 6 2 0 8 Butler Lake Herkimer Ohio 2 2 0 4 Canachagala Lake Herkimer Webb and Ohio 8 0 2 10 Canada Lake Fulton Caroga 6 0 0 6 Cat Pond Franklin Santa Clara 2 0 0 2 Chamber Lake Herkimer Webb 1 0 0 1 Chapel Pond Essex Keene 1 0 0 1 Chase Lake Lewis Watson 0 0 0 0 Chateaugay Narrows Franklin 3 0 0 3 Chazy Lake Clinton Dannemora 10 2 0 12 Brighton and Clear Pond Franklin 0 0 0 0 Franklin Clear Pond #1 Essex North Hudson 4 0 0 4 Connery Pond Essex North Elba 2 0 0 2 Clifton and Cranberry Lake St Lawrence 9 2 0 11 Colton Cranberry Pond Franklin Waverly 1 0 0 1 Deer Pond Hamilton Long Lake 2 0 0 2 Deer River Flow Franklin Duane 2 0 0 2 Eagle Crag Lake St Lawrence Piercefield 0 0 0 0 Eagle Lake Hamilton Indian Lake 2 1 0 3 East Caroga Lake Fulton Caroga 2 1 0 3 East Pine Pond Franklin Santa Clara 0 0 0 0 East Pond Hamilton Long Lake 2 0 0 2 East Pond Herkimer Webb 2 0 0 2 East Stoner Lake Hamilton Arietta 2 0 0 2 Eighth Lake Hamilton Inlet 0 0 0 0 Elk Lake Essex North Hudson 7 1 0 8 Fern Lake Clinton Black Brook 7 0 0 7 First Lake - Bisby Chain Herkimer Webb 0 0 0 0 First Lake - Fulton Chain Herkimer Webb 4 3 0 7 4 2018 NEW YORK LOON CENSUS RESULTS BY LAKE Total Total Total #Immature Total Lake Name County Township #Adults #Chicks Loons #Loons Observed Observed Observed Fish Creek Reservoir - East Lewis Lewis 2 0 0 2 Branch = Unnamed Water Floodwood Pond Franklin Santa Clara 0 0 0 0 Follensby Clear Pond Franklin Santa Clara 5 0 0 5 Forked Lake Hamilton 1 0 0 1 Herkimer and Fourth Lake - Fulton Chain Webb and Inlet 11 0 0 11 Hamilton Francis Lake Lewis Watson 2 1 0 3 Friends Lake Warren Chester 1 0 0 1 Johnsburg and Garnet Lake Warren 6 2 0 8 Thurman Glen Lake Warren Queensbury 1 0 0 1 Good Luck Lake Hamilton Arietta 2 0 0 2 Goose Pond Essex Schroon 2 1 0 3 Goose Pond Franklin Santa Clara 2 0 0 2 Gooseneck Pond Essex Ticonderoga 2 2 0 4 Green Lake Fulton Caroga 1 0 0 1 Green Pond #1 Franklin Santa Clara 2 0 0 2 St Lawrence and Piercefield and Gull Pond 1 0 0 1 Franklin Tupper Lake Hadlock Pond WASH Fort Ann 0 0 0 0 Herkimer and Russia and Hinckley Reservoir 3 0 0 3 Oneida Remsen Hoel Pond Franklin Santa Clara 2 0 0 2 Hour Pond Warren Johnsburg 0 0 0 0 Hunt Lake Saratoga Corinth 0 0 0 0 Indian Lake - Franklin Cty Franklin Bellmont 4 0 0 4 Indian Lake - Ham Cty #1 Hamilton Indian Lake 0 0 0 0 Indian Lake - Ham Cty #2 Hamilton Morehouse 0 0 0 0 Island Pond Warren Horicon 2 0 0 2 Jenny Lake Saratoga Corinth 0 0 0 0 Joe Indian Pond St Lawrence Parishville 0 0 0 0 Jordan Lake St Lawrence Hopkinton 2 1 0 3 Kiwassa Lake Franklin Harrietstown 3 0 0 3 Lake Abanakee Hamilton Indian Lake 4 3 0 7 Lake Adirondack Hamilton Indian Lake 2 1 0 3 Lake Bonaparte Lewis Diana 6 1 0 7 Lake Clear Franklin Harrietstown 3 0 0 3 Lake Colby Franklin Harrietstown 2 1 0 3 Lake Desolation Saratoga Greenfield 1 0 0 1 Lake Durant Hamilton Indian Lake 0 0 0 0 Lake Eaton Hamilton Long Lake 0 0 0 0 Lake Flower Franklin 0 0 0 0 Lake George Warren and Essex 21 2 4 27 5 2018 NEW YORK LOON CENSUS RESULTS BY LAKE Total Total Total #Immature Total Lake Name County Township #Adults #Chicks Loons #Loons Observed Observed Observed Lake Kushaqua Franklin Franklin 2 0 0 2 Lake Luzerne Warren Lake Luzerne 0 0 0 0 Lake Ozonia St Lawrence Hopkinton 5 1 0 6 Lake Placid Essex North Elba 4 0 0 4 Lake Rondaxe Herkimer Webb 2 1 0 3 Lake Titus Franklin Malone 4 2 0 6 Lens Lake Warren Stony Creek 1 0 0 1 Lewey Lake Hamilton Lake Pleasant 2 0 0 2 Lily Lake Fulton Caroga 0 0 0 0 Lilypad Pond St Lawrence Parishville 0 0 0 0 Lincoln Pond Essex Elizabethtown 1 0 0 1 Little Green Pond Franklin Santa Clara 3 1 0 4 Little Moose Lake Hamilton Arietta 0 0 0 0 Little Moose Lake Herkimer Webb 6 0 0 6 Little Trout Lake Hamilton Arietta 0 0 0 0 Livingston Lake Saratoga Day 1 1 0 2 Long Lake Hamilton Long Lake 8 0 0 8 Long Pond Essex Willsboro 0 0 0 0 Long Pond - Franklin Cty Franklin Santa Clara 4 0 0 4 Loon Lake #1 Franklin Franklin 2 0 0 2 Loon Lake #2 Warren Chester 0 0 0 0 Lost Pond Essex Ticonderoga 2 0 0 2 Lower Ausable Lake Essex Keene 3 1 0 4 Lower Chateaugay Lake Franklin Bellmont 4 0 0 4 Lower Saint Regis Lake Franklin Brighton 1 0 0 1 Lower Saranac Lake Franklin Harrietstown 3 0 0 3 Mccauley Pond Franklin Harrietstown 2 0 0 2 McDonald Pond Franklin Waverly 0 0 0 0 Middle Pond Franklin Santa Clara 2 1 0 3 Harrietstown and Middle Saranac Lake Franklin 7 1 0 8 Santa Clara Mirror Lake Essex North Elba 4 0 0 4 Mitchell Pond - Lower Hamilton Inlet 1 0 0 1 Moody Pond Essex North Elba 0 0 0 0 Moose Mountain Pond Essex North Hudson 1 0 0 1 Moreau Lake Saratoga MOREAU 0 0 0 0 Morehouse Lake Hamilton Morehouse 2 0 0 2 Moss Lake Herkimer Webb 2 0 0 2 Mt Arab Lake St Lawrence Piercefield 2 1 0 3 Muskrat Pond Hamilton Morehouse 0 0 0 0 New Pond Essex North Hudson 2 0 0 2 Newport Pond Essex Moriah 0 0 0 0 Nicks Lake Herkimer Webb 2 0 0 2 North Lake Herkimer Ohio 10 2 0 12 6 2018 NEW YORK LOON CENSUS RESULTS BY LAKE Total Total Total #Immature Total Lake Name County Township #Adults #Chicks Loons #Loons Observed Observed Observed North Pond Hamilton Long Lake 3 0 0 3 Old Forge Pond = Unnamed Herkimer Webb 1 0 0 1 Water Oliver Pond Essex Schroon 4 0 0 4 Oseetah Lake Franklin Harrietstown