Volume 67| December 2017
Greetings!
I am trying a new format for the e-newsletter and I'd love to hear what you think! The beautiful blanket of snow on the ground makes it feel more like December in New Hampshire. Daytime temperatures for the last several days stayed below freezing throughout most of the state so hopefully the lakes have frozen over or will soon. We are keeping our eyes on a few lingering loons and ask that you please keep us posted if you are still seeing some on your lake. We would not be able to attempt a rescue unless the loon is trapped in a very small patch (a few feet) of open water.
Speaking of loon rescues, a loon was picked up by Harbormaster Bion Pike's boat at Manchester by the Sea in Massachusetts at the end of November. The Animal Rescue League of Boston was able to get it to Tufts Veterinary Clinic but the loon tested very high for lead and died overnight. The lead levels in this loon's blood were more than 10 times as high as the upper limit of our test machine at LPC. It will be interesting to see the size of the lead object that was removed from the loon's gizzard. I will pass along that information when we find out.
A banded loon was spotted near Rockport, Massachusetts on Thanksgiving Day. After a little digging, we found out that this female loon was originally banded in the Oquossoc territory on Rangeley Lake, Maine, on July 15, 2009! Thanks to Kiah Walker for this great re-sight and for sharing this picture with us. It is always so neat to learn more about the history of banded loons, even if they are not from New Hampshire!
Thanks to everyone who came to our Holiday Open House on November 25. See below for a summary and pictures from this annual event.

In case you didn't hear, LPC recently published a paper in the Journal of Wildlife Management on the population-level effects of lead fishing tackle on loons in New Hampshire. A special congratulations to LPC biologist and lead author Tiffany Grade on this wonderful achievement! We all hope that the findings published in this groundbreaking paper will result in greater protections for loons and other wildlife from the dangers of lead fishing tackle.
There's still tome to do some holiday shopping at The Loon Center. We carry so many neat items for all of the loon-lovers on your list. We are open Thursday-Saturday from 9 am to 5 pm. Come visit us and while you are here you can also take a hike on one of our beautiful trails! The Markus Wildlife Sanctuary really is a magical place in all seasons!
Enjoy the holiday season and best wishes for a wonderful 2018!

Sincerely,

Susie

Susie Burbidge
Outreach/Volunteer Coordinator
Loon Preservation Committee
Upcoming Events
A Tour of Ghana: January 18; 7 pm at The Loon Center

Kettle of One: February 15; 7 pm at The Loon Center

Thursday's Child Benefit Dinner at The Coach House Restaurant in New London: March 1
Photo by Kittie Wilson
LPC's Holiday Open House was a Big Success!
Over 300 people joined us on Saturday, November 25 for our annual Holiday Open House! Mo the Clown delighted kids (and adults) with his amazing balloon creations, the talented Stacey Lucas painted faces, and Matthew Swain treated guests to wagon rides pulled by two gorgeous draft horses (see photo above). Squam Lakes Natural Science Center docents Denise Moulis, Judy Sniffen, Nance Ruhm and Carol Foley had their Discovery Table filled with interesting artifacts from New Hampshire wildlife. Kids got to make special tree toppers in the crafts room and also had the opportunity to make origami with longtime LPC volunteer Karin Nelson. Many thanks to Glyn & Shirley Green, Denise Ferriman, Chris Cordelli and Karin Nelson for helping with our event. Of course, we cannot forget to mention the guest of honor who made a special appearance to visit with the kids!
Special thanks to all of the local businesses who donated food to our Holiday Open House. It was delicious! We would also like to thank Spider Web Designs for donating a large wreath and to E.M. Heath Supermarket for sponsoring the hay rides.

At the end of the open house the 2017 raffle winners were selected. Congratulations to N. Miles of North Hampton, NH, S. & T. Allport of Tarrytown, NY, and C. O'Leary of NH who won the stained glass loon, quilted wall hanging and Old Town kayak, respectively. The Benefit Raffle raised over $10,000 which helps protect loons and their habitats in New Hampshire!

If you missed it this year, make sure to save the date for the 2018 Holiday Open House: Saturday, November 24!
Loon Preservation Committee | 603-476-LOON (5666) | www.loon.org
The Loon Preservation Committee is dedicated to restoring and maintaining a healthy population of loons throughout New Hampshire; monitoring the health and productivity of loon populations as sentinels of environmental quality; and promoting a greater understanding of loons and the natural world.