Loon Nesting Program

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For over a decade, Halfmoon Lake Association (HMLA) has fostered and closely monitored a loon nesting program at Halfmoon Lake. The program is responsible for the annual placement of a floating loon nesting box near Fernhill Point. Thanks to the efforts of our volunteers, Halfmoon Lake residents and visitors enjoy regular sightings of adult loons and their chicks. Whether cruising by your dock, diving for food or crying out their distinct haunting wail, observers all agree loons are a unique part of the environment that makes Halfmoon Lake so special. While we enjoy the beauty of the loons on the lake, they also serve as strong indicators of our lake’s health.  For this reason, the HMLA has invested significant time and volunteer resources to encourage their nesting and mating. The best way we can encourage their health and well-being is to be cautious when boating in their proximity. Stay at a safe distance from the loons and always back away from an agitated loon, especially a mother loon, if it begins to make noise or approaches you. We hope all our residents and boaters will enjoy and protect our loons. To learn more about our loon nesting program, how it started and our dedicated volunteers, read below. 

To report a loon in distress contact:

Rick Dame: rcdame@ymail.com/603-303-0041

The Loon Preservation Committee: info@loon.org/603-476-5666

Update from Rick Dame, our Loon Guy - 8/11/24

The biologist from the Loon Preservation Society reported that our loon egg or eggs were due to hatch around July 1 but confirmed the egg was unviable due to either lack of fertilization, over heating, or due to weather conditions. Rick asked if there was anything else we could have done to improve the success of the loon hatching, but the biologist replied there was not. Our loon had gone to the nest, laid the egg, and had very little disturbance from fishermen and boaters. The biologist stated that he oversaw 40 lakes with nests and of the 40 lakes, a little over half had nesting loons. Of the 20 of so nesting loons, only 8 chicks had hatched. Considering this, we are doing a good job and hope to see a baby loon next year. If you see any loons in distress, please feel free to contact one of your board members, who will relay the information to our Loon Guy and the Loon Society.

To report a loon in distress contact:

Rick Dame: rcdame@ymail.com/603-303-0041

The Loon Preservation Committee: info@loon.org/603-476-5666