Posts by Eric Hanson 
It’s Loon Nesting Time
Eric Hanson, VCE loon biologist, recently visited 9 territories and found 5 nests. “It’s always a thrill to find a loon sitting on shore at the start of its month long incubation period,” exclaimed Hanson. He has been installing signs to help warn people to give the loons a break while they are breeding.
Loon Sign Overhaul
The Vermont Loon Conservation Program is currently upgrading and maintaining one of our most useful management tools – nest warning signs. Learn how you can help.
Loon Spring Fever
This past Friday, on March 27, a Common Loon crash-landed at the Berlin Airport. We’re serious – no foolin’ today. This loon was likely already performing reconnaissance flights to return to its territory.
Bad Landing, Good Person
A lady from Michigan called to say she thought she had a loon land in her field and she put it in a box after chasing it down. But it wasn’t a loon…
Ice-bound Loons
With the early cold weather, some loons simply fail to leave in time and get stuck in ice on small ponds. Usually these loons are chicks of the year (juveniles) that have to figure out migration on their own. The parents likely left in October or early November.
Loon Chicks in November
By early November, the majority of adult Common Loons in Vermont have departed for the New England coast, where they will spend the winter. Based on satellite telemetry data from…
Loons on WCAX and Burlington Public Access Channel 17
The media likes a “feel-good” story and this summer they’ve picked up loons as a “good” topic. VCE biologist and Vermont Loon Conservation Project Coordinator, Eric Hanson, was recently interviewed…
Do Non-Breeding, Single Loons Have Territories?
Last week, Chris Rimmer and I traveled to Lake Willoughby to meet with Carol Radic and Colm Darcy, who helped me rescue a loon entangled in fishing gear back in…
Notes from a Loon Necropsy
This story is not for the feint at heart, but I found Dr. Pokras’s quick note to me about this loon fascinating. I mailed this highly emaciated (and smelly) loon…
Laying the Groundwork for Loons in Fairlee and Fairfield
Back in July I presented a program on loons at the Lake Fairlee association annual meeting. We lined this up last year after a summer of consistent loon activity on…
West Hill Pond- Fishing Line Loon
Vermont Loon Conservation Project (VLCP) volunteer, Melissa Perley, kayaked up to one of the resident loons on West Hill Pond in Cabot yesterday and noticed it habitually shaking its head…
Vermont Loon Update 17 July 2014
Loonwatch day: The annual statewide loonwatch survey takes place this Saturday, July 19. Most of the high priority lakes are assigned but if anyone with a motorboat has any last minute…
