Loons

Enjoy our Common Loons, which nest on all of our lakes along with Round Pond, from a distance. Get too close and you could disturb the adults or threaten their young. If a loon starts to repeatedly dip its bill, splash in the water, or flash its white belly in your direction, back off. Artificial nesting islands set up on some of our lakes help loons raise their chicks away from nest predators and secure from water level changes. Keep your wake low near these structures, and respect warning buoys. Lead sinkers have been banned in NH to protect waterfowl like loons, which suffer from lead poisoning after ingesting them. Loons need their privacy, but aren’t shy about contributing to the night music of the lakes. To learn more about NH’s loons, visit the Loon Preservation Committee.