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Saying Goodbye... Carole Davis

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It’s July, and usually the sound of loons calling for each other nudges me awake in the morning, and sings me to sleep at night I have learned to understand their language---Where is my mate? Trouble is brewing, Come home. But today, I hear nothing. A tornado has ripped open our lake like a giant gash, and swallowed up our songbirds to a destination I do not dare to contemplate. It is unknown how many pairs survived, how many chicks lived, or the number of unhatched eggs that are left in their soggy nests. I stand on my deck looking out at Brown Cove. The motor boats are cruising across the water creating foaming streams of waves in their wake. Teenagers are on skis, their young bodies tanned with the sun of summer. Others are having cook-outs and I can smell their dinners roasting on a grill. But, the blue ribbon, best of all prize can not be heard. Conservationists are working hard to increase the odds of loon survival. Loon nests are placed in coves where loon families have previously nested, signs are posted on the lake to alert boaters about loon habitats, and fishermen are urged to use non-toxic equipment.

Yet, the symphonic sound of summer is sadly missing. It is impossible to prevent the ravages of nature, but I yearn for the familiar calls. Fishermen still find lead sinkers, rowdy teenagers make too much noise, and boaters cruise too close to nests and drown loon eggs. All of us suspected that the tornado had produced dire results for our loons. Yet, on July Fourth firecrackers were set off disregarding the consequences. If these birds are to survive, we must contemplate the balance between enjoyment of summer fun, and the results of what this event does to the well being of our loons. Their very survival depends on the good judgment and care of those who share their environment. Summer will come to a close. We will lock away our striped deck chairs, and remove sleek boats and paddle boards from the lake. Hopefully, we will enjoy them again next year. But, will the loons also return to our lake? That, in large part, may clearly depend on us!

Post on our website: www.littlesebagolake.com Email us your stories from yesterday or from years ago at: memories@littlesebagolake.com Mail us at: Little Sebago Lake Association, P.O. Box 912, Windham, ME 04062-0912 or you may even Call us at: (207) 809-4706 and we will come to you!

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