The weeks since my last email have been busy ones for loons in New Hampshire! If you've been to a lake recently, you may have noticed that the loons aren't quite looking like themselves—they've been molting out of their distinctive black and white breeding plumage and into their winter plumage. |
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Two molting adult loons in the Sunapee Region. Photo courtesy of Kathy Springsteen. |
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A molting adult loon preening. Photo courtesy of Jen Esten. |
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You may have also noticed large groups of loons on our lakes. While it may seem strange, this is a totally normal behavior for this time of year—loons often 'raft' before migration. On large lakes, it's possible to see groups of 20 or more loons all swimming, diving, and fishing together! Some lucky LPC volunteers have even reported seeing red throated loons on their lakes recently. Red throated loons winter off of the New Hampshire coast but only breed in Alaska and Northern Canada. It's a treat to see them stop over on our lakes as they migrate back to their wintering grounds! |
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Just as the loons have been changing in recent weeks, so too has the Loon Center! We have begun construction on the expansion to our main building, and ground has been broken on our new Kittie and John Wilson Field Operations Center. This necessary work will result in a new and much-improved campus ready for a new year of good work for our loons. Our new facilities will power the work that will continue the loon’s recovery in New Hampshire. We sincerely thank all who generously supported these efforts and made our expanded work for the loons possible. We look forward to welcoming you back to the Loon Center when construction finishes! |
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LPC celebrates breaking ground on the expansion of the Loon Center Campus. Masked figures from left to right are: Ron Baker (Building Committee Chair), John Wilson (Capital Campaign Committee Chair), Charlie Veasey (Stewart Architects), Kristen Begor (Loon Preservation Committee Chair), Peter Stewart (Stewart Architects), Harry Vogel (LPC Senior Biologist/Director), and Bryant Lehr (Vice President of Conneston Construction Incorporated). |
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Construction is underway! Our new addition and interior redesign will house new/expanded staff offices, a library/conference room, the Loon's Feather shop, a laboratory, and dedicated storage for biological, field, and office supplies. |
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If you follow us on social media, then you know that LPC is in the middle of an educational series on the banded loons of New Hampshire. Each day during the month of November, we are posting photos of a different banded New Hampshire loon and providing information about that loon's history. Check in with us on Facebook or Instagram to see these posts! If you do not have social media, you can find an archive of these posts on our website. We hope that you enjoy learning a bit more about some of the loons that call New Hampshire home.
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A banded New Hampshire loon. Photo courtesy of Brian Reilly. |
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In October, our friends at the Winnipesaukee Playhouse put on a production of No Wake, a play that takes place in Moultonborough New Hampshire, heavily features loons, and even mentions LPC! They professionally recorded the production, and it will be available to stream on Thanksgiving weekend. Information about how to stream the production can be found here. If you're missing summer and the loons already, be sure to tune in!
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In a normal year, I would be using this E-Newsletter reminding you of LPC's Annual Holiday Open House. Unfortunately, due to both Covid-19 and the closure of the Loon Center for construction, we will not be holding the open house this year; however, you can still take advantage of our annual holiday sale! Visit our online store from November 27–30th for a 10% discount on all items, and check in daily for information about flash sales! |
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Wishing you all the best,
Caroline
Caroline Hughes
Volunteer/Outreach Biologist
Loon Preservation Committee
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Loon Preservation Committee | 603-476-LOON (5666) | www.loon.org |
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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. |
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