Of Loons and Painted turtles

[SAR-EMT40]

Had a great day paddling on Conway lake today. Launched from the southern tip of the lake. Really great little island suitable for lunch or camping. No posting of any kind so I am unsure of the regs regarding such activity. The island has obviously been used for such activity in the past. Saw three loons swimming around and really enjoyed seeing them dive under and come up somewhere else and of course their song was really nice to hear. Quite a few kayakers around and none of them molested the Loons at all. On the way back to the boat launch saw three painted turtles. Two of them were having quite a fight underwater. Territory or mate, I don't know what they were fighting over but it went on for quite a while. They are very graceful underwater.

If you have a chance to go to Conway lake I suggest launching from the south carry in, not the northern trailer launch. It was really crowded and full of motor boats. South carry in was much less used and very quiet. Also a pair of nesting ducks were on the approach. They didn't really seem overly concerned with the people paddling by.

Keith

 

[Waumbek]

. On the way back to the boat launch saw three painted turtles. Two of them were having quite a fight underwater. Territory or mate, I don't know what they were fighting over but it went on for quite a while. They are very graceful underwater.Keith

Nice report on a nice day, Keith. Thank you. Re turtles, I don't think it's mating season. Perhaps they were fighting over proximity to a nest or hatchlings?

[start quote] New Hampshire's turtles are expected to hit their peak nesting activity about the middle of June, about a week later than usual because of the recent cold, wet weather. Turtles deposit 5 to 30 eggs in a sandy hole; eggs incubate over the summer and hatch in the fall. Skunks and raccoons prey on the unguarded nests, destroying many of the eggs. [end quote]