Trapped loons rescued from icy New Hampshire lakes

Dec. 23—Biologists rescued two iced-in loons from Horace Lake in Weare and Franklin Pierce Lake in Antrim recently.

Loons need up to a quarter of a mile runway of open water on a calm day to take off. The two rescued loons had not left their lakes before the ice had formed and were trapped, members of the Loon Preservation Committee said.

Once they're iced-in, loons become sitting ducks for predators such as eagles or can die from starvation or exposure because they can't walk on the ice or land, biologists said. Loons have a high ratio of body weight to wing size and their legs are made for swimming, diving and taking off from water.

Wildlife specialists X-rayed each loon, analyzed blood samples and assessed their health before releasing them.

The Weare loon was released into the ocean at Odiorne Point, a common wintering location for New England breeding loons, the same day it was rescued. The Antrim loon was held overnight at the Wings Wildlife Rehabilitation Center before being released the next morning.

Each loon now has unique leg bands, which will help identify them in the future if they return to New Hampshire lakes to breed.

Most loons migrate to ocean wintering grounds during fall. Biologists said they aren't certain what causes some to stay for the winter, but climate change might play a role.

"Local temperatures may influence the timing of migration for New Hampshire loons. If we have a warm October and November, some loons may remain on our lakes later than they normally would in order to take advantage of the open water and fishing opportunities. If they are caught off guard by sudden cold snaps, they may become iced-in," said Harry Vogel, senior biologist and executive director of the Loon Preservation Committee.

Ice rescues have become a part of the Loon Preservation Committee's work to restore New Hampshire's threatened common loon population in recent years.

As more lakes freeze over in the coming weeks, additional loons may need to be rescued, officials said.

If you see a loon confined to small patches of open water, call the LPC at 603-476-5666. Do not attempt to rescue loons.

For more information, visit loon.org.