Bow Lake News and Events
Loon Updates - June 2010
June 18, 2010
I have a bit more sad loon news. The Bennett Island loons lost one of their chicks yesterday. The chick washed up on my beach and most likely died from sibling rivalry. The stronger chick was pecking at the weaker chick for the past few days and the weaker chick wasn't getting much food from the parents. The parent loons do not typically try to help the weaker chick in this situation. This is believed to be considered "survival of the fittest." The loon chick will be given to the Loon Preservation Committee so a necropsy can be performed. On a more happy note, the stronger Bennett Island loon chick appears to be doing quite well.
-Cheryl
JUNE 15, 2010
Caswell pair has 2 chicks. - Jeanne
JUNE 14, 2010
Some bad news from the Blueberry Island pair. They abandoned their eggs this weekend. We have collected a lot of information in the last couple of says. Apparently about 4 weeks ago, before they finally nested, there was a fight between two males riht near Blueberry Island. One of the Whitcher employees filmed it on his phone. Once male killed another. The pair nested shortly after. Dave and I saw the pair swimming together in front of our place mid afternoon Sunday and then down the coast to the channel. We checked the nest three times between 3 and 8:30. No loons anywhere. Two cormorants flew off the island as we approached. I have never seen cormorants on the island while the loon is nesting and I have never seen loons and cormorants get along. There were no boats out this weekend, so we are reasonably sure it wasn't people who drove them from the nest. If any of you have more information, please send it along. We will provide the film of the fight to Sam as soon as we have it. He is picking up the eggs this week. Hope all is well at all the other sites. - Jan
JUNE 11, 2010
Just a quick note to let you know that the Bennett Island loons have hatched two chicks. They are mostly hanging out under their parent's wings right at the moment. But they should be out swimming around the Bennett Island territory shortly. This loon pair does tend to sometimes leave their chicks alone in the middle of the boating channel. So, please pass the word and help try to convince boaters to slow down in this area for the next few weeks, while the chicks can't dive and are very hard to see. Thanks, Cheryl
JUNE 6, 2010
All four of the Bow Lake loon pairs have started nesting on Bow Lake this summer in the Bennett Island, Caswell Cove, Kooaukee/Pointe Trinity, and Blueberry Island territories. If all goes well, we will have loon chicks on the lake soon. Please learn what you can about loons, and help educate boaters on our lake as best you can. Here is a quote from the Loon Preservation Committee website explaining why we are asking for your help: "Reproductive success of loons in New Hampshire fell each year between 2004 and 2008. Since 2006 it has been less than that required to sustain a viable loon population."
A few simple things boaters can do to help protect loons include: fish with non-lead sinkers & jigs, retrieve all broken fishing line, and observe nesting loons & loon chicks from a distance with binoculars. Any time a loon swims away or vocalizes when you are near, it is a sign of distress. Move away. If a loon on its nest has its neck stretched out low to the ground, back off. And, if you see a hurt loon, beached loon, or loon chick that has been left alone for many hours in early summer, please report it to one of the local Loon Preservation Committee volunteers or directly to the Loon Preservation Committee in Moultonborough, NH (see below for contact information).
Bennett Island Loon Territory (south west end of lake):
Started Nesting: May 15
Approximate Hatch Date: June 10th-13th
Caswell Cove Loon Territory (north end of lake):
Started Nesting: May 16
Approximate Hatch Date: June 11th-14th
Kooaukee/Pointe Trinity Loon Territory (north west end of lake):
Started Nesting: May 27th-30th
Approximate Hatch Date: June 23rd-28th
Blueberry Island Loon Territory (east end of lake):
Started Nesting: June 1st-5th
Approximate Hatch Date: June 27th-July 4th
Links to Loon Facts and Articles on How You Can Help Protect Loons:
http://www.loon.org/ http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/Wildlife_Journal/WJ_sample_stories/WJ_c04_loons.pdf
http://www.maineaudubon.org/resource/f_living_with_loons.pdf
Bow Lake Loon Contacts:
Cheryl Mrozienski:664-7911, Jeannie Ferguson: 664-9627, Jan Williams: 664-9708
Loon Preservation Committee, Moultonborough, NH: 800 828-0324
http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/Inside_FandG/contact_fish_and_game.htm
http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/Wildlife/wildlife_rehabbers.htm
Loon Mailing List
If you would like to receive periodic loon updates, please send a message to cmrozien@yahoo.com so we can add you to our Bow Lake Loons email distribution list.
New Bald Eagle News: April 2010
I just heard from the NH Audubon biologist, Chris Martin, and it appears that at least one eaglet has hatched at the Bennett Island eagle nest. A few of us volunteers noticed the adult female eagle sitting higher in the nest the last few days, which is one sign of a hatching. But, now the biologist has received confirmation that food was actually brought to the nest late yesterday and today. The biologist tells me that it is likely we won't actually see a chick over the rim of the nest for a couple of weeks. The nest is too deep and the chicks are too small! As previously requested, please keep your distance from the nest during this critical time, especially if the eagles seem restless when you are near. Please also pass this request on if you see others that may be too close for too long. Thanks for all of the help. Enjoy! -Cheryl
New Bald Eagle News: March 2010
Happy spring. I have some wonderful eagle news! The red banded sub-adult bald eagle that was identified last fall and a yet to be identified adult bald eagle have been bringing sticks and grass to the Bennett Island nest for the past two months. About two weeks ago, the pair started showing some signs that they had laid eggs. And for the past week, it appears that they are now incubating eggs. If all goes well, chicks should hatch around the end of April.
The best viewing spots from the road are Mary Waldron Beach and Bennett Bridge. You'll need binoculars or a spotting scope. I have a spotting scope for those that don't have one. Just drop me a note and we can meet at Mary Waldron beach sometime (light is best from this location mid to late afternoon). Note: The NH Audubon biologist is going to wait and see how this eagle pair reacts to people before deciding if any "Please Stay Away" signs are needed. But, please observe from a distance with binoculars or a spotting scope, and leave the area if the bird on the nest appears nervous. If you see the eagles get flushed from the nest when people are in the area, please let me know so I can pass the information on to the biologist.
The following website has some good bald eagle information, in case you are interested in the details: www.baldeagleinfo.com
Hope to see folks out on the lake soon!
Cheryl