Researchers at the Adirondack Center for Loon Conservation (ACLC) in Saranac Lake, NY have developed an online Loon Observation Reporting Tool for members of the public to log their loon sightings on water bodies throughout New York State. [Read more…] about New Reporting Tool Lets Public Record Their Loon Sightings
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Lingering Loon Chicks Preparing for Migration
At this point in the season, most migrating songbirds and raptors have already left. But on lakes and ponds across the Northeast, some loons are still fishing and paddling.
Loon parents may set off for the ocean before their young can fly, so it’s not uncommon to see loon chicks alone on the water in late autumn. [Read more…] about Lingering Loon Chicks Preparing for Migration
Founding Director Dr. Nina Schoch Departs Adirondack Center for Loon Conservation
The Adirondack Center for Loon Conservation has announced that former founding director Dr. Nina Schoch has left the organization as of July 1, 2025.
“We are appreciative of the contributions Dr. Schoch made to this organization and are deeply committed to continuing the important mission of research, education and studying loons as environmental sentinels in the Adirondack Park,” they Center told supporters in a brief announcement. [Read more…] about Founding Director Dr. Nina Schoch Departs Adirondack Center for Loon Conservation
Campaign Aims to Raise Awareness About Wakeboating Impacts
The Upper Saranac Foundation’s (USF) new Wake Smart campaign seeks to raise awareness about the impacts that wakeboats have on lake ecology and other users.
The Wake Smart initiative launched on Memorial Day weekend, with signage at public access areas on Upper Saranac Lake as well as a mailer campaign, social media posts and a webpage with resources on how to enjoy wakeboating while also sharing the lake, protecting plants and wildlife, and preventing the spread of invasive species. [Read more…] about Campaign Aims to Raise Awareness About Wakeboating Impacts
Trade in Your Lead Fishing Tackle, Receive a $10 Voucher
Eight of 28 deceased loons recovered in 2024 and submitted to DEC for necropsy were found to have died of lead poisoning.
This makes lead poisoning a leading cause of death for loons recovered, along with trauma, both human-caused (boat strikes) and trauma due to natural behaviors (fighting over territory). [Read more…] about Trade in Your Lead Fishing Tackle, Receive a $10 Voucher
Adirondack Loons the Subject of ADK Talks Podcast
The latest ADK Talks podcast features Denise Silfie from the Adirondack Center for Loon Conservation in Saranac Lake. Silfie shares updates on loon research, insights from the annual Loon Census, and the surprising challenges of lead tackle, climate change, and shoreline development. [Read more…] about Adirondack Loons the Subject of ADK Talks Podcast
Responsible Loon Watching: A Guide
The Common Loon is an iconic species that has captivated generations of people who spend time on the lakes throughout the Adirondacks. Watching these incredible birds can be a serene and rewarding experience. However, it’s important to remember that like all wild animals, loons can be negatively impacted by human activities. Close approach by humans can cause loons to stop their normal behaviors that keep themselves well fed and healthy.
As we observe loons, we need to give them the space that they need to focus on taking care of themselves and their chicks. Here are some guidelines for enjoying responsible loon watching. [Read more…] about Responsible Loon Watching: A Guide
Ed Kanze’s Nature of the Place Reflects on Adirondack Flora and Fauna
The Nature of the Place: On the Flora and Fauna of the Adirondacks (North Country Books, 2025) is Adirondack nature writer Edward Kanze’s invitation to slow down, smell the roses, and get to know fellow creatures with more longstanding claims to this landscape than we have.
Theirs is the real internet Kanze argues, a web of life that weaves together an almost infinite number of threads into a fabric that’s a wonder to behold and something close to a miracle in a largely hostile universe. [Read more…] about Ed Kanze’s Nature of the Place Reflects on Adirondack Flora and Fauna
Loons Rescued at Paradox Lake in the Adirondacks
The Adirondack Center for Loon Conservation (ACLC) successfully rescued three iced-in loons on Paradox Lake on December 24th and 26th, 2024.
Initial calls to the Adirondack Loon Center came in on December 23rd to report one iced-in loon on Paradox Lake in Essex County, and two iced-in loons on nearby Brant Lake, in Northern Warren County. [Read more…] about Loons Rescued at Paradox Lake in the Adirondacks
A Busy Week of Adirondack Loon Rescues
The Adirondack Center for Loon Conservation (ACLC) had a busy week making successful Adirondack loon rescues. ACLC staff and volunteers rescued three distressed common loons (Gavia immer) from July 8-11, 2024, including two grounded loons and one loon with a fish hook embedded in its mouth. [Read more…] about A Busy Week of Adirondack Loon Rescues
Fishing With Lead Leading Cause of Adirondack Loon Deaths
Although legislation was passed in 2004 that banned the sale of small lead fishing tackle in New York, the Adirondack Center for Loon Conservation has continued to document Adirondack loons dying from lead poisoning after ingesting lead jig-heads and sinkers that are still legal to use. [Read more…] about Fishing With Lead Leading Cause of Adirondack Loon Deaths
3 Red-Throated Loons Rescued In The Adirondacks
In the late afternoon of Sunday, December 3rd, the Adirondack Center for Loon Conservation received a report of a Red-throated Loon who was found grounded at Exit 38 on I-87 (the Adirondack Northway).
It was followed almost immediately after by a report of a second Red-throated Loon who had landed on a road in Ausable. Then a third bird was found midday on Monday on Spruce Hill in Keene, NY. [Read more…] about 3 Red-Throated Loons Rescued In The Adirondacks
Iced-In Loon Rescued From Adirondack Lake
On December 14th, the Adirondack Center for Loon Conservation received a report of an iced-in loon on First Lake in Herkimer County. On December 15th, ACLC staff and volunteers responded to attempt to save the bird. The rescue team included Cody Sears, Jay Locke, Gary Lee, Don Andrews, and Kurt Gardner. [Read more…] about Iced-In Loon Rescued From Adirondack Lake
Loon Calls & Other Vocalizations
On the New Hampshire lake where I spend much of the summer, loon calls are so common that I sometimes take them for granted.
The sounds of the common loon (Gavia immer) are iconic of wilderness and have been described as haunting, plaintive, maniacal, other-worldly, even wolf-like. [Read more…] about Loon Calls & Other Vocalizations
When Ice Goes Out The Loons Arrive
It is always difficult to predict when the ice will go out on a given body of water in the Adirondacks, however, it is easy to say when that waterway will be occupied by a loon, as this symbol of the northern wilderness always seems to arrive within hours of the ice disappearing.
The urge to return to its breeding territory is especially strong in male loons. Because of a recent population increase in this species, there can be intense competition for the remote sections of the large lakes and back country ponds that are highly attractive to this bird with the haunting voice. [Read more…] about When Ice Goes Out The Loons Arrive
Iced-In Loons Rescued on Lake George
On two different days this week, the Adirondack Center for Loon Conservation received reports about Common Loons which had been iced-in on Lake George.
Ice fishermen Nick Weis and Mattie Riley found and protected two loons from an eagle attack on Sunday, and ice fishermen Jason Jordan and Tim Denno found a third loon on Tuesday. The fishermen caught and carried the birds to safety, then reached out to local wildlife professionals for help. [Read more…] about Iced-In Loons Rescued on Lake George
Adk Loon Center Offers Lead Tackle Buy-Back Program
The Adirondack Center for Loon Conservation has invited Adirondack anglers to participate in its “Lead Tackle Buy Back Program” to protect Common Loons from lead poisoning. Anglers can trade in their lead sinkers and jigs this summer by bringing them to any of the eight participating retailers around the Adirondack Park. [Read more…] about Adk Loon Center Offers Lead Tackle Buy-Back Program
Loon Center Awarded Oil Spill Settlement Money
The Adirondack Center for Loon Conservation is one of six grant recipients in a natural resource damages settlement from the tank barge Bouchard B-120 oil spill that occurred in Buzzard’s Bay, MA, in April, 2003. More than 500 Common Loons wintering in Buzzard’s Bay were killed by the spill of No 6 Fuel Oil. [Read more…] about Loon Center Awarded Oil Spill Settlement Money
Loons Are Migrating
It is typically in November when ice forms on the many ponds and lakes across the Adirondacks. This inevitable transition from a watery world into an icy plain causes the loon to abandon its summer home in remote wilderness locations and seek out an environment in which it can survive until the spring. [Read more…] about Loons Are Migrating