Conway Lake Homes » Loon Surveys

Conway Lake Loon Census 2010

admin — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 02:01:09 +0000

How are the loons on Conway Lake? Each year a group of committed volunteers seeks to find the answer to that question. The annual loon census is one snapshot of how the loons on the lake are faring. This year, unfortunately doesn’t look much better than last. Last year there were 11 adults and one successful chick. This year there are 12 adults but again only one successful chick. For more information on loons the Loon Preservation Society monitoring page.

Conway Lake Chicks Spotted

admin — Sat, 10 Jul 2010 18:09:43 +0000

There has been a confirmed sighting of the North (THORNE) nest hatching on July6 and again on July 7; One chick & 2 parents in the water!

The island is posted but people have been seen (and asked to leave) on the island near nests. Please pass the word to anyone you can to observe the loon’s territory and protect the family. Their territory extends from Scribner point to the S. Conway beach club, however they probably will be closer to the islands for the near term until the chick is a little older.

Conway Lake Loon Nests Spotted

admin — Sun, 13 Jun 2010 01:28:36 +0000

Harrison called this am and reported that both the South Cove and North (Thorne) Island nests are active, probably mid to late week; Yea!!! Nancy and I, after delivering stream bottles to the Edgerton’s dock on Wed., did not see any activity at the Thorne area then.

Harrison and I plan to float signs sometime Monday pm at the Thorne nest and wait to evaluate the South nest; Harrison doesn’t know if the Boynton’s signs are available.

Harrison is attempting to assume my responsibility to support, report and manage liaison to the LPC as I phase out; but, he doesn’t live on the lake, have a motorboat and works full time; so, anyone that wishes to assist him (us), please come forward;

Regards———–Dick

NH Loon Census Results: Conway Lake- Bigger isn’t Always Better

admin — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 22:50:39 +0000

Conway Lake has one of the highest densities of adult loons

The results of the annual New Hampshire Loon census are in. It looks like another overall poor year for young loons. On the upside, Conway Lake appears to support one of the higher densities of adult loons in the survey.

Lake Name	Acres	Obs-ervers	Adult Loons	Loon Chicks	Immature Loons
Lake Winnipesaukee	44567	67	51	2	1
Squam Lakes	7170	60	34	6	0
Lake Winnisquam	4263	18	14	0	0
Conway Lake	1298	10	11	1	0
Massabesic Lake	2990	16	19	2	0
Mascoma Lake	1114	31	7	1	0
Lake Sunapee	4088	7	0	0	0
Newfound Lake	4104	51	15	0	2
Lake Wentworth	3016	24	12	3	0
Silver Lake (Harrisville)	333	6	3	0	0

Bigger isn’t always better

Conway Lake supports a higher density of adult loons than some larger NH Lakes.

This data is part of the Loon Monitoring program sponsored by the Loon Preservation Society. Relying on the work of numerous volunteers around the state, data have been collected since 1975 creating the largest data set on loon populations. For more information please visit the Loon Preservation Society monitoring page.

If you would like to learn more about living on Conway Lake please feel free to contact Joy Tarbell. A long time Conway Lake resident Joy knows Conway Lake.

Conway Lake Loon Chick Report; August 10, 2009

admin — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 13:24:25 +0000

It looks like the overall tough year for loons on Conway Lake has at least one survivor thus far. I received an email from Dick yesterday indicating that the one loon chick is growing and appears to be doing well. That at least is good news.

Loon eggs and chick face many dangers as they grow. During rainy years, nests can be flooded causing eggs to be lost. Meanwhile various predators roaming the shoreline love the easy nutrition of a loon egg. Those chicks that hatch and move onto the water now face the challenges of other predators as well as other causes of mortality. As with most bird species, as loons grow older and bigger, their chances of survival increase. With so few young from Conway Lake the past few years it is important to remember to give these birds wide space. It will be most important to remember this next spring when the birds begin nesting again.

Hopefully we can continue to get positive reports from Dick this year!

South Cove Nest on Conway Lake: Lost Egg

admin — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 13:12:39 +0000

This came through the middle of July and I am just now posting it. Sad news for sure. Predators are always a risk for loons. Combined with all the rain we have had it will be a tough year for loons all around.

Harrison called late yesterday; bad news, S. cove nest was apparently attacked by something, egg is broken and no loons sitting!

Maybe next year;

Dick

Conway Lake Loon Chicks

admin — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 02:03:44 +0000

A hatch on such a wet year is great luck for Conway Lake. Here is the latest loon news for those of you watching our Conway Lake loons.

To all; checked status of Thorne Island chick today after water testing; chick is fine, healthy and was on the back of one of his parents; did not get to S. Cove as it started to rain; we’ll find out if nest is still inhabited after Saturday’s loon census! Will advise;

Dick

Conway Lake Loon Survey for June 30, 2009

admin — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 02:32:04 +0000

For those of you following the loons on Conway Lake here is the June 30th loon survey.

Did a lake loon survey run yesterday; Thorne nest still active and one was sitting, signs OK. Lake level OK but that nest doesn’t have much margin at all. Checked S. Cove nest, both loons off nest and feeding. Took the opportunity to get close and spotted 2 eggs intact; they did not like me that close and were very voracious in telling me so!! Hell of a show, taught me a lesson I didn’t think I needed! I know now, won’t make that mistake again!

Their nest is higher than Thorne, so it has more margin for water rise if it happens; efforts to avoid serious water level rises still needed, especially for Thorne nest: Town has managed level during this incredible wet season extremely well. Let hope Loons hatch this month and predators stay away.

Regards; Dick

Conway Lake Loon Survey for June 24, 2009

admin — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 02:50:17 +0000

A big thanks to those willing to go out and safely survey the status of the Conway Lake loons! Here is the June 24th report.

Hi to all Loon lovers; good news today (makes the rain tolerable!); took a survey of the 2 expected nests and found both active with Loons sitting!

I spotted the Thorne Island pair last week and they’re still nesting today; and, whereas the S. cove pair seemingly nested on the small island 2-3 weeks ago and then disappeared, they’re now nesting on the big island (next to Boynton’s), facing north where they were last year when they got swamped! Let’s hope they make it this year. We had no surviving chicks last year.

Kudos to Paul D. and the dam operator; they have kept the lake level at normal (or below) levels during this critical very wet season which, hopefully, will contribute to successful hatchings over the next month; by my calculations, the northern pair should hatch around mid July and the newer southern pair around the 18th-20th of July. For all you loon watchers, keep an eye on the other 2 possibilities in Dolloff Cove and the rocky island near Gull Rock; please call me if any activity is sighted; LPC has been here twice already and will continue to use my boat to review nesting progress; I’ll keep you all up to date;

Regards————-Dick