7507-R3_LSLA_2021_SummerNewsletter_Web

Sebago Loonacy

2) The 2020 productivity of .30 chicks per territory is the lowest in the last three years and significantly below the established sustainable population threshold of .48. However, loon productivity is subject to year- to-year fluctuations, and one year is not indicative of longer term trends. The total number of adult loons occupying Little Sebago is not known, however frequent territorial disputes and aggressions from intruding adult loons have been documented in all three of the past three years and in all three bays. This indicates that there are many adults who are roaming the lake without a mate or breeding territory. The disputes and aggressions from rooming loons have caused chick mortality and may be a contributing factor in reduced nesting rates and/or nest failures, leading to lower productivity. Many watchful eyes on the ground contribute to data collection and conservation efforts. For that, I, and the Loon Rangers, are indebted to many lake residents and visitors who reach out through FaceBook posts on “Little Sebago Loon Watch’’ with observations, questions, and remarkable photography. Your interest and assistance is truly helpful to monitoring and data collection effort. And – speaking of photography – please continue to watch for the announcement of a pictorial chronology of “Sandy”. Sandy is the 2020 chick hatched at Sand island who was photographed weekly through his/ her fledgling weeks on Little Sebago. Photographer Bruce Small provided the pictures, and your Loon Lady (or Loony as some might say) shall provide the narratives. Stay safe and we shall see you on the lake soon. Sharon Young Program Coordinator Little Sebago Loon Monitoring & Conservation

late enough in the season, the chick had attained sufficient age (size) to allow for banding. He was also old enough for a DNA test to determine sex. We can now be watchful to see if this little guy returns to Little Sebago once he attains breeding age (5-7 years). We attempted to band the Sand Island chick as well, but that little guy eluded capture. We are also ecstatic to report that our “Grand Dame” (the 30+- year old female first banded at Horse Island in 1997 and then re-banded in 2018) did again return and successfully laid an egg on the nesting raft at Briggs Island Cove. She is now paired with the 2015 Sheldrake male. This was the first time any of our three strategically placed nesting rafts had been occupied by nesting loons. Unfortunately, the single egg was lost to predation before hatching a chick. Two most important take-aways from the 2020 monitoring efforts were: 1) Return rates for banded loons on Little Sebago remain above 50%. The return, long term survival, and breeding history of the banded 1997 Horse Island female remains a remarkable story.

Phone & Text (207)632-0075 Email syoung0252@gmail.com

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