Loon deaths on Winnipesaukee
- Thread starter David Metsky
- Start date
Help Support vftt.org:
KayakDan
New member
Sounds very likely that they were confused by the weather. I wonder why this only occured on Winnie,and not Umbagog or Squam. What would set Winnie apart from the other lakes?
Lately we're hearing a lot of bird activity around our area,which normally happens in early Spring. Very strange.
Lately we're hearing a lot of bird activity around our area,which normally happens in early Spring. Very strange.
mtnmama
New member
Loons
This is very sad news...I love loons.
This is very sad news...I love loons.
NumNum
Member
Dave,
this is a great concern, thanks for bringing the story to the forums. In NY they are just starting to make a come back, I would be very interested in the cause. I too love the loon, anyone who calls me or emails me, i get the sound of the loon as i tied it in to my email and my home phone.
this is a great concern, thanks for bringing the story to the forums. In NY they are just starting to make a come back, I would be very interested in the cause. I too love the loon, anyone who calls me or emails me, i get the sound of the loon as i tied it in to my email and my home phone.
sierra
Well-known member
quite a sad story. I have wondered this year what might some of the ramifications of the odd temps we encountered for such a long part of the winter might be. I suspect, many animals have had a unussual amount of confusion this year. My theroy is some will benefit greatly and others will pay greatly.
The Loon is a spectaculiar bird, the ranger station on the Conway side of the Kanc has one stuffed, its quite worth a stop for a close look at an elusive bird, no picture does them justice. I have never been lucky enough to see one or hear one in person, I sure wish I do some day.
The Loon is a spectaculiar bird, the ranger station on the Conway side of the Kanc has one stuffed, its quite worth a stop for a close look at an elusive bird, no picture does them justice. I have never been lucky enough to see one or hear one in person, I sure wish I do some day.
Here are a couple of related links to perhaps the most famous loon advocate, Herb Cilley (aka Loon Ranger), who passed away about a year ago.
http://unhmagazine.unh.edu/sp01/profcilleysp01.html
https://www.alumni.unh.edu/obits/1940s/cilley.html
http://unhmagazine.unh.edu/sp01/profcilleysp01.html
https://www.alumni.unh.edu/obits/1940s/cilley.html
forestgnome
New member
I don't suspect that weather is the reason why some loons didn't migrate to the ocean. This isn't the first time we've had a mild early winter followed by sustained frigid temps. The hummingbirds left as usual, the crickets went silent. I haven't read anything about any other species not migrating last year. Nature is not as static as we think it should be.
The loons who live at the lake near my house migrated the same time as in years past. Thankfully, they reared a baby. They started with two, but we suspect a snapping turtle got one.
Like the Loon Ranger, last September I started paddling around their vacinity, to take pictures. Each day after work, I'd go out, keeping my distance so as not to disturb them, but after a week or so they didn't care much about my presence. I'd watch the parents fish for the baby. I discovered that the babies make an almost constant whining sound, much like the whine of my (now deceased
) German Shepard.
We'll have to wait for the autopsy report
The loons who live at the lake near my house migrated the same time as in years past. Thankfully, they reared a baby. They started with two, but we suspect a snapping turtle got one.
Like the Loon Ranger, last September I started paddling around their vacinity, to take pictures. Each day after work, I'd go out, keeping my distance so as not to disturb them, but after a week or so they didn't care much about my presence. I'd watch the parents fish for the baby. I discovered that the babies make an almost constant whining sound, much like the whine of my (now deceased
) German Shepard.
We'll have to wait for the autopsy report
Last edited:
Grumpy
New member
- Joined
- Sep 3, 2003
- Messages
- 1,503
- Reaction score
- 153
At the risk of encouraging thread drift ...
Forestgnome, I much enjoyed your loon photos.
There is a resident summer population of loons at Elk Lake and Clear Pond (dare I mention it here) in the Adirondacks of New York state. They are a hit with guests at Elk Lake Lodge, as the birds make their morning feeding rounds. Their "laughing" calls provide a musical treat. I don't think the loons there seek the company of people, but they are not afraid or reluctant to show themselves, and occasionally there are fairly close human-bird encounters.
The death of these critters on Lake Winnipesaukee is sad news. I do wonder what happened and hope that can be discovered.
G.
Forestgnome, I much enjoyed your loon photos.
There is a resident summer population of loons at Elk Lake and Clear Pond (dare I mention it here) in the Adirondacks of New York state. They are a hit with guests at Elk Lake Lodge, as the birds make their morning feeding rounds. Their "laughing" calls provide a musical treat. I don't think the loons there seek the company of people, but they are not afraid or reluctant to show themselves, and occasionally there are fairly close human-bird encounters.
The death of these critters on Lake Winnipesaukee is sad news. I do wonder what happened and hope that can be discovered.
G.
Andrew
Active member
Hi Kayak Dan! My guess on your question would be that Winni probably froze last as compared to Squam and Umbagog. Umbagog being shallow and Squam smaller would freeze first (only a guess since I don't know these ponds personally).
I was worried this would happen this winter, too much open water late into winter.
I used to be very involved with LPC and the biologists, and seem to remember that younger Loons tended to wait to the last minute before freeze-up. Mature Loons follow timing patterns more closely when choosing to migrate.
It would not be a stretch for a group of adolescents either from Winni or other areas lake to congregate on a bit of open water and become victims of a turn in the weather.
I was worried this would happen this winter, too much open water late into winter.
I used to be very involved with LPC and the biologists, and seem to remember that younger Loons tended to wait to the last minute before freeze-up. Mature Loons follow timing patterns more closely when choosing to migrate.
It would not be a stretch for a group of adolescents either from Winni or other areas lake to congregate on a bit of open water and become victims of a turn in the weather.
DougPaul
Well-known member
There are loons on a number of the more remote ponds of the DAKS (and N NH and ME). (I've seen a nesting pair on L. George and there are multiple pairs on Winnipesaukee.) They need a big enough territory to get enough fish too feed their young. (They eat only fish.) They will, if need be, fight to the death to establish and defend their territories.Grumpy said:
The laughing call is a terrirtotial call ("This is MY pond..."). The birds hate people and are very easily stressed by our presence.
(If they rear up facing you and flap their wings, it is a stress display--please back off.) Let them come to you, please don't approach them. (To many human encounters may cause them to abandon their nest.) Also, please don't answer their call--they will view it as a challenge.
Loons are a magnificent symbol of the wilderness (if there are too many of us, they leave). They are also a mean-tempered shy bird just trying to make a living in a stressing world. (They have been known to spear other waterbirds from below with their beaks...) Mercury and lead are significant threats. (My brother, a professional ornitholigist, found a carcass on Jabes Pond--tests showed it was killed by lead.)
The year's fledglings do migrate later than the adults. They frequently leave just before a pond ices up. Perhaps the unusal weather just fooled them, maybe they were exploring "new territory" by staying. A tragedy in our eyes, but also just naure in action. It will be interesting to see what the autopsies show--both mercury and lead affect neural function.
I recently saw a PBS special on pollution in the DAKS featuring loons as the indicator species. IMO, worth a watch if they reshow it.
Doug
Mattl
New member
It was just too warm in Nov, Dec for them. They stuck around too long I think and didn't prepair like they would have. Sad...-Mattl
Puck
New member
- Joined
- Aug 27, 2004
- Messages
- 1,272
- Reaction score
- 162
Just to add a little to what Dougpaul posted;
Understanding migratory patterns in bird species can be interesting and confusing. As with other behavior in birds it could be hardwired, learned or a combination of both.
Most of the perching birds will migrate when thier food source is gone. Vireos and warblers who are insectivores are gone in the fall. Is the migration triggered by the amount of light or the temps? The birds with more omniverous diets can hang around longer and will be forced to other locations when there food sources are gone. That is why one can see cedar waxwings into winter as well as yellow rumped warblers and some thrushes. (birds do not need all the protien during winter that they need when they have young)
Birds like loons, herons and egrets will migrate when there food source is frozen over. Here again the patterns may be species specific and the triggers maybe abundance of food or other environmental factors. Likewise the spring migration has its own timing and cues. I have heard common loons yodel on the ocean in May. One would think that they would be on the northern lakes mating and building nests at that time.
It is the hatch year birds that usualy get lost, or show up at the wrong place at the wrong time or stay to late. Aften times a bird needs to reach a certain age in order to have the neurological development so that it can learn. However, if the learning impulse is not there (ie not witnessing other loons migrating) they will not learn properly. Then again it is hard to learn if you have been eating mercury laden yellow perch small fry all summer long.
Anyway it has been an odd year. We have seen Lazuli buntings and Painted buntings here in CT. These birds usualy demand a trip to South Carolina.
Understanding migratory patterns in bird species can be interesting and confusing. As with other behavior in birds it could be hardwired, learned or a combination of both.
Most of the perching birds will migrate when thier food source is gone. Vireos and warblers who are insectivores are gone in the fall. Is the migration triggered by the amount of light or the temps? The birds with more omniverous diets can hang around longer and will be forced to other locations when there food sources are gone. That is why one can see cedar waxwings into winter as well as yellow rumped warblers and some thrushes. (birds do not need all the protien during winter that they need when they have young)
Birds like loons, herons and egrets will migrate when there food source is frozen over. Here again the patterns may be species specific and the triggers maybe abundance of food or other environmental factors. Likewise the spring migration has its own timing and cues. I have heard common loons yodel on the ocean in May. One would think that they would be on the northern lakes mating and building nests at that time.
It is the hatch year birds that usualy get lost, or show up at the wrong place at the wrong time or stay to late. Aften times a bird needs to reach a certain age in order to have the neurological development so that it can learn. However, if the learning impulse is not there (ie not witnessing other loons migrating) they will not learn properly. Then again it is hard to learn if you have been eating mercury laden yellow perch small fry all summer long.
Anyway it has been an odd year. We have seen Lazuli buntings and Painted buntings here in CT. These birds usualy demand a trip to South Carolina.
Last edited:
dudley
New member
I don't mean to highjack the thread, but I thought you all might find this interesting
I often run into wintering loons while fishing the shores of Cape Cod and Rhode Island.
These loons do not act like the shy loners of northern ponds.
I have counted flocks of more than forty off R.I. beaches. You'd think a flock like this would make a racket, but I've never heard one make a peep.
I've seen a few well into June. Maybe they just were ill, maybe they just liked being at the beach. I don't know.
More than once I've had one sit glaring at me unmoving, as I walked up the beach. No fear.
I made a wide detour... if looks could kill
I often run into wintering loons while fishing the shores of Cape Cod and Rhode Island.
These loons do not act like the shy loners of northern ponds.
I have counted flocks of more than forty off R.I. beaches. You'd think a flock like this would make a racket, but I've never heard one make a peep.
I've seen a few well into June. Maybe they just were ill, maybe they just liked being at the beach. I don't know.
More than once I've had one sit glaring at me unmoving, as I walked up the beach. No fear.
I made a wide detour... if looks could kill
Trudy
Member
Forestgnome, those are stunning photos, especially the first one. Thank you.
DougPaul
Well-known member
IIRC the birds stay on salt water until they are old enough to mate at somewhere around 4-5 yrs old. So those might have been immatures. Or just waiting for some way-far north lake to thaw (speculation on my part).Puck said:
Doug
forestgnome
New member
Can anyone recommend a good online source to read about loons?
forestgnome said:
Try Google Books:
http://books.google.com/books?q=loon&btnG=Search+Books&as_brr=0
Tim
Puck
New member
- Joined
- Aug 27, 2004
- Messages
- 1,272
- Reaction score
- 162
forestgnome said:
This is from a good source for all North American Birds
http://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Common_Loon_dtl.html
There is a link to the song.
There are plenty of web sites. There are also web cams so that you can watch a nest.
Last edited:
Puck
New member
- Joined
- Aug 27, 2004
- Messages
- 1,272
- Reaction score
- 162
DougPaul said:
I agree the guy I heard was probably hatched the previous year.
I would want to check into the fact you posted. I have not seen evidence of that. Keeping in mind I have never made a fromal study of it just casual observations throughout my birding year in Maine, NH and CT.
The Connecticut Onitholigical Association has compiled a state list of species with a monthly abundance chart. Both of our loons (common and Red throated) are noted to be rare in the summer months.
IndianChris
New member
Great link Puck, thanks!
Similar threads
