Nesting Loon At Our Lake In 'Alton', New Hampshire.

Click to ENLARGE. Taken with a 2,000mm zoom.

Click to ENLARGE.

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The small lake in Central New Hampshire we live close to, & have beach rights to, is popular with Loons.

It is not a very busy lake & there isn't that much boating traffic or swimmers.

We can have, most years, have multiple loons on the lake. Earlier this year I saw three. Today, I saw two -- the nesting one & another out swimming quite a distance from the nest.

They tame to be quite friendly & 'tame' too. I have had them come very close to me when I have been swimming or on a kayak. 

We have also had them nesting -- laying eggs -- quite often.

BUT, the nesting INVARIABLY were unproductive MAINLY BECAUSE we had so many people DISTURBING the nesting mother.

Then about 5 years ago (maybe longer) a couple of folks started installing this ARTIFICIAL NEXT and posting signs asking folks & boats to keep away. That has worked. We have had chicks BUT not recently.

Well, this is 2025. 

I did NOT go anywhere CLOSE to the nest. These were taken with BIG, LONG ZOOM lenses. I am one of the DEFENDERS of the nest & loons. 😇

She definitely looks like she is sitting on eggs & doing well. That is good.

I check on her nearly daily. 😇

I will keep you posted.

Enjoy.😇