Published: Monday, September 22, 2008
Citizen of Laconia
New Hampshire

The Loon Preservation Committee is the recipient of much needed field equipment thanks to the generosity of the Wal-Mart GoodWorks Foundation. LPC was recently awarded a $1,000 grant from the Foundation to purchase GPS units for mapping critical loon habitat and nest sites in New Hampshire.

It was the high concentration of mercury in New Hampshire's loons that caught Kelley Henderson's eye. Henderson, an employee with Wal-Mart's Community Involvement program in Gilford, was both intrigued and disturbed by the discovery.

"I had no idea that loons were at risk for mercury poisoning from eating fish found right here in New Hampshire," said Henderson. "If loons are at risk, then so are people." This realization prompted Henderson to submit LPC's proposal to the GoodWorks Foundation.

The Loon Preservation Committee works to preserve loons and their habitats in New Hampshire through programs of research, management, and public education. Among LPC's research initiatives is the capture and banding of loons in the state. The capture of loons for banding allows for the collection of blood and feathers for analysis of toxic contaminants. Research done by LPC and its colleagues has shown that loons in New Hampshire have among the highest concentrations of mercury recorded in loons anywhere in North America. A neurological toxin, mercury has accumulated to unhealthy levels in some fish posing a threat to humans who eat them. This is especially true for pregnant women and young children. Loons are particularly at risk for mercury poisoning because they are long lived and feed almost exclusively on fish. This also makes them an ideal indicator of elevated levels of mercury and other contaminants in the aquatic environment.

Each year, LPC collects inviable loon eggs to test them for mercury and other contaminants. Mercury is a potent neurotoxin and as little as 1.3 ppm (parts per million) can kill an embryo developing inside the egg. In addition, data collected by LPC and its collaborators have revealed "hot spots" or concentrations of mercury that are dangerous for loons and people, downwind of major emission sources like coal-fired power plants and incinerators.

GPS units allow LPC to closely track loon nest locations. Since loons often reuse the same nest sites and have specific nest site requirements, knowing the nest location on a lake is integral to monitoring and protecting the loon population. This valuable data becomes part of LPC's loon database (the longest running and most comprehensive database for loon populations and productivity), and allows LPC to network with state and other key agencies to further broaden our efforts to protect this state-threatened bird.

The identification and mapping of loon nest sites using GPS units is an important first step in reducing mercury and other toxins in our environment to the benefit of loons and other animals, including people. The Loon Preservation Committee is most grateful to the Wal-Mart GoodWorks Foundation for providing the resources needed to purchase this essential field equipment.

Visit "The Loon Center" at 183 Lee's Mill Road in Moultonborough, to learn more about loons and the work of the Loon Preservation Committee. Hours of operation: Monday-Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., year round. (Open 7 days, July 4th through Columbus Day.) For more information call 476-LOON (5666).

COURTESY PHOTO THE HONORABLE Carl Johnson, chair, and Harry Vogel, executive director, of the Loon Preservation Committee accept a check for $1,000 from Kelley Henderson of the Wal-Mart GoodWorks Foundation