Wildlife officials say a pair of loons found nesting at the Markus Sanctuary in Moultonboro is waiting for their chicks to hatch, which is expected shortly after July 4.
Loon Preservation Committee executive director Harry Vogel told the Citizen the pair is nesting on a raft floated near the Loon Center on Lake Winnipesaukee each year.
Vogel says the July 4 hatching date is typical for New Hampshire, although close to half of loon births fail – mainly due to human interference. Officials said a minimum breeding success rate of .48 surviving chicks per loon pair is needed to maintain the bird’s population in the long run.
There were a total of 291 pairs of loons reported in the state last year.
Associated Press