A pair of loons has returned to Caspian Lake in Greensboro for the tenth consecutive year, settling on a nesting raft that has helped boost the local population. The raft, first deployed in 2017 by Vermont eco-studies biologist Eric Hanson after a raccoon threatened a shore nest, has produced 16 chicks over nine years, with 13 surviving to migrate to coastal waters.
This year, the loons laid two eggs on May 15 and 16. Incubation takes about 26 to 29 days, placing the estimated hatch date between June 10 and 12. Warning signs have been placed around the cove to alert boaters and kayakers to keep their distance.
The loon population on Caspian Lake has stabilized at 12 to 18 birds each summer, reflecting a statewide recovery from historically low numbers. The nesting pair is likely the same as previous years, though intruder loon battles have occasionally disrupted breeding.
An exhibition titled "Call of the Loon" will open June 11 at the Highland Center for the Arts in Greensboro, featuring loon-themed art by 27 local artists. A reception on June 20 from 2 to 5 p.m. will include talks by Hanson and Eloise Girard, marking the 50th anniversary of the Vermont Loon Conservation Project.
Originally reported by Barton Chronicle.
Photo: Artaxerxes (Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0). Photo is illustrative and not from the scene.
Log in as a subscriber to comment, or become a member.