Since 1970, New Hampshire’s population of common loon has more than tripled – from under 100 mated pairs to around 350 – thanks in large part to the efforts of the Loon Preservation Committee.

Founded in 1975, the Loon Preservation Committee helps monitor and manage New Hampshire’s loon population. On Tuesday evening, the Jaffrey Public Library hosted Caroline Hughes, a biologist and outreach coordinator for the Loon Preservation Committee, who gave a presentation about loons and the society’s work in the Monadnock region and beyond.

“It’s a exciting year for loon activity in Jaffrey. You may have heard we have a chick for the first time in a long time on Contoocook Lake,” Hughes said. “And for the first time we’ve documented [a loon] on Cross Pond this year – so it’s a really exciting time for me to be here with you all.”

According to Hughes, there are five species of loon in North America, most found further north into Canada. The common loon is the only species that can be found as far south as New Hampshire. With an average lifespan of 20 to 25 years, they will only hatch one to three chicks every year, with some loons going as long as three years before laying eggs again.

Loons are mostly solitary, migratory birds. They spend their mating season inland on lakes, and live on the ocean during the winter. Their unique morphology allows them to be extremely agile on and under water, but their legs are ineffective on land. As such, they only come to the shore for nesting.

Loons are territorial, often returning to the same body of water year after year. Male and female loons will pair on the same body of water for mating, and will not allow other loons in their territory. However, contrary to belief, loons do not mate for life; it is common for both male and female loons to fight one another for territory. If one loon in a pair is chased off by another loon, the prevailing loon will replace the other.

Loons face a number of threats, both natural and made by humans. Loon chicks are vulnerable to predators, especially eagles, and shoreline development on New Hampshire lakes has reduced the number of viable loon nesting spots. Hughes said that, through its research, the Loon Preservation Committee found that the leading cause of loon deaths is lead poisoning after ingesting fishing tackle. Loons may mistake the tackle for food and eat it directly, or it may eat a fish with lead tackle caught inside. The loon’s stomach, designed to digest fish bones, quickly breaks down the lead, poisoning the loon. A loon with lead poisoning will only live for two to four weeks.

Hughes said efforts by the Loon Preservation Committee and others have helped mitigate humans’ impact on loons. They will rope off and clearly mark loon nesting spots on popular recreation lakes, and have floated over 150 artifical loon nesting rafts on several New Hampshire lakes, which provide a safe, covered spot for loons to nest on. Finally, several laws have been passed banning the sale and use of lead fishing tackle. The Loon Preservation Committee partners with sporting shops around the state to allow people to turn in their lead tackle in exchange for a $10 store voucher.

For information about loons and the Loon Preservation Committee, visit loon.org.