Loons nesting on Chocorua Lake this year. Photo: Debra Marnich
by CLC Stewardship Director Debra Marnich
The egg floating in the shallow water at lake’s edge. Photo: Debra Marnich
We had an encouraging start to the 2024 nesting season as the loons were successful this year in choosing a high and dry nesting area on the shoreline of the lake. We discovered the nest and a pair occupying it around June 13 this year. The pair incubated the nest for approximately 29 days and then abandoned it. The loons were observed off the nest and after abandonment for three days along with a third loon. After professional scientific field observation and consideration, we decided it was time to visit the nest to see if we could determine what had happened. When we arrived at the nest site the nest was empty. No loons were on the nest and there were no eggs and no membranes or shell fragments to be found. The nest site was undisturbed.
CLC Stewardship Director Debra Marnich collecting the egg for analysis. Photo: Galen Kilbride
We scanned the shoreline near the nest and discovered a loon egg floating in the lake. Following protocol, we carefully collected the egg and delivered it to the Loon Preservation Committee for further analysis. We talked with LPC Senior Biologist John Cooley who mentioned that it is very common for nesting birds to move around in the nest and accidentally kick an egg out of the nest. LPC has seen this happen quite frequently, and given the circumstances, they are assuming that is how the egg ended up in the lake. The LPC has recently purchased a large X-ray device to take images of eggs and embryos to determine the stage of development and collect additional information. Also, they occasionally send eggs out to test for evidence of chemicals that may be detected within the egg or embryo itself.
The empty nest. Photo: Debra Marnich
Myriad factors can make or break loon breeding success in just a few short moments, or slowly over time. Threats include predation on all levels, fluctuating water levels, chemical pollutants, shoreline development , and our most recent threat: climate change. Despite all of the hurdles along the way, we are determined to support, and confident for, loon breeding success in upcoming years, and we remain committed to promoting and ensuring loon conservation on Chocorua Lake.
Please consider helping our Loon Conservation efforts at: