A Record Year for Vermont’s Loons in 2017
This year was another great breeding season for Common Loons in Vermont. The Vermont Loon Conservation Project and it’s volunteers observed a record 97 loon nest attempts with at least 72 successful nests. Learn more…
Habitat Selection with a Twist: A Story of Two Opportunistic Loons
VCE summer intern Kirsti Carr recounts her unexpected discovery of a long-abandoned swimming raft that a Common Loon pair used for nesting on Chandler Pond in 2017. She and her Vermont Loon Recovery Project team rehabilitated the raft – easily Vermont’s largest – in late July and hope that the loo pair will approve of its new, improved home for continued successful nesting in 2018.
Saving a Loon’s Life
The phone rang on Friday afternoon and VCE loon biologist Eric Hanson had just received word of a loon entangled by fishing line. I was full of excitement; this would be my first time taking part in a loon rescue, an opportunity I hoped would present itself during my summer as VCE’s Alexander Dickey Conservation Intern.
The First Loon Chicks of the Year
This time of year is always exciting with the hatching of the first loon chicks. VCE volunteers have observed at least five chicks this past week, including these chicks from Lower Symes Pond. See more great images…
Give Nesting Loons Space
The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department and the Vermont Center for Ecostudies is asking boaters and anglers to give loons a hand this summer by enjoying them from a safe distance. Learn more…
Loon Banded in 1998 Found Again
I noticed a loon near shore with some flashes of color behind it. It was banded with colorful leg bands for identification. Later at home, I learned that the bird was banded in 1998 and is over 20 years old! Read more…
A Field Guide to June 2017
Here in Vermont, we dream of June during the darkest days of winter. Verdant wooded hillsides, a robin egg sky, chorus of bird song, butterflies and bees on flowers. We often forget about the clouds of black flies. June is a dream here. Here’s some natural history wonders for the month from this neck of the woods.
The Trials and Tribulations of the Lake Fairlee Loons
For the second consecutive year, Common Loons are nesting on Lake Fairlee. Unfortunately, this year the loons built their nest on Treasure Island, part of Thetford’s town beach and picnic area, just in time for the season opening. Learn how management was ready to save the day.
The Trials of Finding a Loon Nest Site
If all goes well, we’ll see over 80 pairs attempt to nest again this year despite the challenges of geese and mink and people.
Help Us Look for Loons
You can help us help loons this year. And one way is to help us assess the breeding status of loons on some lakes and ponds this spring that are not often visited by volunteers. Learn more…
Volunteers Help Loons to Another Record Breeding Season in 2016
It was a banner year for Common Loons breeding in Vermont. Volunteers helped us monitor 93 nesting pairs around the state, a record number since monitoring began four decades ago.
A Red-throated Loon Drops in for Thanksgiving
Last night, this exquisite bird was found in the middle of the road along Route 15 in Walden Vermont
