Loon sighting

[RLW]

Others may have seen the loons already on the big lake, but we saw our first 3 here at Sunset Lake up on Alton Mountain all day today. Great to walk outside and here the sound of the loons.

[upthesaukee]

We were crossing the Mosquito Bridge over Winnisquam, and there was one swimming just north of the bridge. Always a good sign.

I would guess that they have been keeping track of the ice situation over hear on their IPads.

[pjard]

I know this isn't the best picture but we saw about 18-20 loons at Mountain View Yacht Club.

[gslpro]

Those are actually Megansers....ducks. Would be nice to know the Loon population had exploded, but not as of yet.

[wifi]

I saw a pair of Loons in the Suissevale Marina yesterday. They were practice diving

[pjard]

Well thank you...we thought that was amazing! I learned something today.

[ApS]

Originally Posted by gslpro

Those are actually Megansers....ducks. Would be nice to know the Loon population had exploded, but not as of yet.

Among those mergansers, where are the female Mergansers? I see only one—maybe two.

[Life is Wild]

That's because of Spring fever. Love is in the air. Males are mobbing around females and competing to pair with them.

[tis]

We have had both male and female merganzers in the past few days.. I haven't seen the wood ducks again. The loons were here this morning, the eagle was and the geese were. THe geese were out in the water thankfully.

[SteveA]

They are back.. lousy picture because he was way out on the lake, but they have been around for about two weeks. This was taken 4-16

Lots of "calling" wonderful to have them back.

[HayBelly]

This one was hanging around Back Bay in Wolfeboro week before last.

[RLW]

HayBelly, I just noticed that you are fairly new to posting on the forum and glad you have joined us. Have fun and enjoy the Winni Forum while making many new friends.

[tis]

Our two have been out in front a lot lately. This morning they were right there and I spoke to them and one of them swam right toward me. I swear they get to know your voice as crazy as it may seem.

[Dad sold the C * C]

I was on the phone so I stopped moving and sat down on the deck and next thing I know I'm watching a loon dive and come up twice with fish. The second one was big and took it a while to "line it up". I gotta just leave the SLR up north..

[Greene's Basin Girl]

Since this thread is about the loons I want to remind everyone that lead sinkers and jigs with kill loons. We lost our male loon in Green's Basin last summer due to a lead sinker. The loon was autopsied at Tuft's and they found the sinker. Fishermen do not need to use lead sinkers or lead jigs. We get so many fishermen in Green's Basin because many of them put their boats in at Lee's Mills for a day of fishing.

[tis]

OH NO! I hate hearing that! I thought the lead sinkers are illegal, now, are they not? In any case, I hope the fishermen will stop using them.

[jeffk]

I saw a pair by me this morning, near Suissevale. I had heard the calling since about 2 weeks ago but had not seen them until now.

[Grant]

It only takes one little lead sinker (even a splitshot) to kill a loon. They swallow gravel/till from the lake's bottom to help with digestion, so one little lead pellet in that mix will be fatal. Go with steel or titanium & save a loon (or more than one).

[secondcurve]

Originally Posted by tis

OH NO! I hate hearing that! I thought the lead sinkers are illegal, now, are they not? In any case, I hope the fishermen will stop using them.

It's possible the lead sinker was at the bottom of the lake for 25-years before being scooped up by a loon. The sinkers have been banned for a while so over time the incidence of loon deaths caused by lead will decrease. I wouldn't worry too much about a loon here or there dying from lead. Unfortunately it happens, but this factor in itself isn't going to decimate the loon population.

[Greene's Basin Girl]

Lead sinkers are not banned- unfortunately!

[SteveA]

Originally Posted by secondcurve

It's possible the lead sinker was at the bottom of the lake for 25-years before being scooped up by a loon. The sinkers have been banned for a while so over time the incidence of loon deaths caused by lead will decrease. I wouldn't worry too much about a loon here or there dying from lead. Unfortunately it happens, but this factor in itself isn't going to decimate the loon population.

I wish you were correct, but I don't think you are:

"Loons and other waterbirds can die from lead poisoning after swallowing lead fishing sinkers and jigs lost by anglers. According to the Loon Preservation Committee, poisoning from lead fishing tackle accounts for 52 percent of mortalities among adult and immature loons from 1976 through 2000, by far the largest single cause of adult loon mortality in New Hampshire.
State law prohibits the use of lead sinkers and jigs in all fresh water in New Hampshire, including lakes, ponds, rivers and streams. The ban prohibits the use of lead sinkers weighing 1 ounce or less and lead jigs less than 1 inch long along their longest axis.

The law also prohibits the sale in New Hampshire of lead sinkers weighing 1 ounce or less and lead jigs less than 1 inch long along their longest axis.

What you can do:
■Use non-lead sinkers and jigs. It's the law.
■Ask your local sporting goods store to stock non-lead fishing tackle. It's the law.
■Spread the word. Tell other anglers about the problem with lead.
■Dispose of old lead sinkers and jigs properly. Drop-off locations include all N.H. Fish and Game offices and hatcheries (see list below). "

See the whole post from NH Fish and Game here:

http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/Fish...e_lead_out.htm