In the article referenced above by FLL, Harry Vogel, director of the Loon Preservation Committee (or LPC), mentions that "Lead poisoning from ingested fish tackle has accounted for 44% of all documented adult loon deaths over the last 30 years.'.
Later in the article he also notes that "it's not old lead that's killing the birds - the dense tackle tends to sink into muddy lake floors where loons can't swallow it over time. Lead tackle is still being used illegally, and it's killing birds."
The loon population would be smaller if it wasn't for LPC. The Moultonboro based organization supports loon population growth by floating almost 100 artificial nests in NH waters each year. Their nests protect the eggs from changing water levels, boat wake, flying predators and the summer sun. They also rescue loons that get tangled in fishing line or get stuck in areas they can't take off from.
Loons are a violent species, often killing each other for territory. Predators take their eggs and new born chicks. A four hour old NH loon chick was taken by an eagle earlier this summer and
caught on video in a shocking 20 second clip at https://youtu.be/VbZIw1-pHdc .
Sharing habitat with people also creates challenges for the loon population. In addition to the illegal use of lead shot, land development reduces loon nesting habitat and boat wake can wash eggs out of a nest. Next time you hear a loon call in NH, thank LPC.
The free LPC email news letter is a good way to keep up to date with Loon News. You can subscribe to it, and learn much more, at
loon.org