Winnipesaukee's First Lead-Poisoned Loon

Rattlesnake Gal · 07-08-2015, 10:49 AM

On July 1st, a dead loon was found in Loon Cove of Alton Bay. It is a confirmed case of lead-poisoning. This is so sad.

First Documented Lead-Poisoned Loon Collected on Lake Winnipesaukee

tis · 07-08-2015, 11:36 AM

Oh no! That is sad! I hate to hear that!

Merrymeeting · 07-08-2015, 11:38 AM

I wish I could understand why lead sinkers are still used and won't be illegal until next year. Should have been done LONG ago! With all the materials available in this age, how hard can it be to switch to something safer?

Rattlesnake Gal · 07-08-2015, 02:07 PM

Merrymeeting, I was shocked to lean that the law had not gone into effect! Sigh.

AC2717 · 07-08-2015, 02:10 PM

not that this is not tragic
but the lead weight could have been in the lake for a very long time

Rattlesnake Gal · 07-08-2015, 02:22 PM

I hadn't thought of that, AC2717.

This is one of the reasons that I love the Forum, getting other thoughts and ideas.

secondcurve · 07-08-2015, 05:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AC2717

not that this is not tragic
but the lead weight could have been in the lake for a very long time

Probably not true. I thought the same thing but it was explained to me that when a fish breaks a fishing line with tackle and a lead sinker attached, Loons often make quick work of the crippled fish along with the attached tackle, lead sinker and all. They don't normally scoop up sinkers lying on the bottom of the lake. At least that is what I was told.

Rattlesnake Gal · 07-08-2015, 06:27 PM

FAQ from The Loon Preservation Committee

That Guy · 07-08-2015, 08:36 PM

I've encountered this first hand.

Four years back I was returning from doing some fishing. Passed a loon on the surface that wasn't doin' too hot. Seem very lethargic. The next day I went back out and at the boat ramp there was the loon. Washed up. Barely movin'. I tried petting it, but it really didn't want anything to do with me. I went into the bait bucket and started grabbing some minnows. I was there for about 45m feeding it the fish. It started gaining energy and looked like it was doing better. A guy from the loon center arrived in a car. Picked the loon up and placed it in a cardboard box. I rode with him to Winterhaven Vet with the loon in my lap. Arrived there and Ms. Wing took an x-ray. Clear as day there was a splitshot in the gizzard. They had to put it down right there.

Between Dad and I, we must have 20 tackleboxes. We went through every one and ditched every weight in there; regardless if they were lead or not. We bought all new weights because we didn't want to chance it.

Rattlesnake Gal · 07-08-2015, 08:54 PM

(I ran out of thank yous for the day.)

I have tears in my eyes from reading your post. That Guy, thanks for sharing your story and thank you, for getting rid of any potential poison. Loons are majestic birds that we should protect and treasure.

tis · 07-09-2015, 06:23 AM

You mean Winter Harbor Vet, right That Guy? So where did you find the loon? In Wolfeboro?

That Guy · 07-09-2015, 06:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tis

You mean Winter Harbor Vet, right That Guy? So where did you find the loon? In Wolfeboro?

Winter Harbor, that's the one. Whoops on the wrong word.

Back Bay.

secondcurve · 07-09-2015, 08:53 AM

Thanks RG. Sounds like the way I was told is more frequent but not the only way.

SteveA · 07-12-2015, 05:41 AM

It's not just lead sinkers that effect the Common Loon.

http://www.wcs.org/saving-wildlife/b...mmon-loon.aspx

Rattlesnake Gal · 07-12-2015, 08:43 AM

It seems to me that in this day and age there could be better filtration for coal burning plants etc to keep the environment clear of toxins.

07-08-2015, 10:49 AM	#1
Rattlesnake Gal Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Central NH Posts: 5,252 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 1,447 Thanked 1,349 Times in 475 Posts	Winnipesaukee's First Lead-Poisoned Loon On July 1st, a dead loon was found in Loon Cove of Alton Bay. It is a confirmed case of lead-poisoning. This is so sad. First Documented Lead-Poisoned Loon Collected on Lake Winnipesaukee

07-08-2015, 02:07 PM	#4
Rattlesnake Gal Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Central NH Posts: 5,252 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 1,447 Thanked 1,349 Times in 475 Posts	Lead Lures Merrymeeting, I was shocked to lean that the law had not gone into effect! Sigh.

07-08-2015, 02:10 PM	#5
AC2717 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Maynard, MA & Paugus Bay Posts: 2,521 Thanks: 747 Thanked 344 Times in 257 Posts	not that this is not tragic but the lead weight could have been in the lake for a very long time __________________ Capt. of the "No Worries"

07-08-2015, 02:22 PM	#6
Rattlesnake Gal Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Central NH Posts: 5,252 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 1,447 Thanked 1,349 Times in 475 Posts	You're Absolutely Right! I hadn't thought of that, AC2717. This is one of the reasons that I love the Forum, getting other thoughts and ideas.

07-08-2015, 06:27 PM	#8
Rattlesnake Gal Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Central NH Posts: 5,252 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 1,447 Thanked 1,349 Times in 475 Posts	Loons FAQ from The Loon Preservation Committee Attached Images

07-08-2015, 11:36 AM	#2
tis Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 6,405 Thanks: 719 Thanked 1,379 Times in 955 Posts	Oh no! That is sad! I hate to hear that!

07-08-2015, 11:38 AM	#3
Merrymeeting Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Merrymeeting Lake, New Durham Posts: 2,217 Thanks: 299 Thanked 795 Times in 365 Posts	I wish I could understand why lead sinkers are still used and won't be illegal until next year. Should have been done LONG ago! With all the materials available in this age, how hard can it be to switch to something safer?

The Following User Says Thank You to Rattlesnake Gal For This Useful Post:
secondcurve (07-09-2015)

07-08-2015, 08:36 PM	#9
That Guy Senior Member Join Date: May 2015 Posts: 182 Thanks: 37 Thanked 74 Times in 43 Posts	I've encountered this first hand. Four years back I was returning from doing some fishing. Passed a loon on the surface that wasn't doin' too hot. Seem very lethargic. The next day I went back out and at the boat ramp there was the loon. Washed up. Barely movin'. I tried petting it, but it really didn't want anything to do with me. I went into the bait bucket and started grabbing some minnows. I was there for about 45m feeding it the fish. It started gaining energy and looked like it was doing better. A guy from the loon center arrived in a car. Picked the loon up and placed it in a cardboard box. I rode with him to Winterhaven Vet with the loon in my lap. Arrived there and Ms. Wing took an x-ray. Clear as day there was a splitshot in the gizzard. They had to put it down right there. Between Dad and I, we must have 20 tackleboxes. We went through every one and ditched every weight in there; regardless if they were lead or not. We bought all new weights because we didn't want to chance it.

The Following 5 Users Say Thank You to That Guy For This Useful Post:
Accipiter290 (07-09-2015), bostique (07-10-2015), Diana (07-09-2015), Merrymeeting (07-09-2015), Misha888 (07-16-2015)

07-08-2015, 08:54 PM	#10
Rattlesnake Gal Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Central NH Posts: 5,252 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 1,447 Thanked 1,349 Times in 475 Posts	Ty! (I ran out of thank yous for the day.) I have tears in my eyes from reading your post. That Guy, thanks for sharing your story and thank you, for getting rid of any potential poison. Loons are majestic birds that we should protect and treasure.

The Following User Says Thank You to Rattlesnake Gal For This Useful Post:
That Guy (07-08-2015)

07-09-2015, 06:23 AM	#11
tis Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 6,405 Thanks: 719 Thanked 1,379 Times in 955 Posts	You mean Winter Harbor Vet, right That Guy? So where did you find the loon? In Wolfeboro?

The Following User Says Thank You to That Guy For This Useful Post:
tis (07-09-2015)

07-09-2015, 08:53 AM	#13
secondcurve Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 2,084 Thanks: 1,267 Thanked 557 Times in 286 Posts	Ways lead hurt Loons Thanks RG. Sounds like the way I was told is more frequent but not the only way.

07-12-2015, 05:41 AM	#14
SteveA Deceased Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Gilford, NH Posts: 2,311 Thanks: 1,070 Thanked 2,053 Times in 496 Posts	More info.. It's not just lead sinkers that effect the Common Loon. http://www.wcs.org/saving-wildlife/b...mmon-loon.aspx __________________ "Before you criticize someone, walk a mile in his shoes. That way, if he gets angry he'll be a mile away and barefoot!" unknown

The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to SteveA For This Useful Post:
Flylady (07-12-2015), Pontoon Goon (01-18-2016)

07-12-2015, 08:43 AM	#15
Rattlesnake Gal Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Central NH Posts: 5,252 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 1,447 Thanked 1,349 Times in 475 Posts	Mercury It seems to me that in this day and age there could be better filtration for coal burning plants etc to keep the environment clear of toxins.