The annual Loon Census will be held on Lake George Saturday, July 18 from 8 am to 9am.
Lake George residents and visitors will join hundreds of volunteers across New York simultaneously counting common loons on the state’s lakes and ponds.
Conducting the survey during the same one-hour period helps researchers compare observations statewide while minimizing the chance of counting the same birds more than once.
The statewide effort that has helped document the return of one of the Adirondacks’ most recognizable birds while providing scientists with a long-term snapshot of breeding loon populations.
The statewide census began in 2001, and Lake George has been included in the survey since at least 2004, creating more than two decades of data for the Adirondack Park’s busiest lake.
Those records show a notable increase in loon observations on Lake George. During the 2004 census, volunteers reported no loons on the lake. By the 2024 survey, observers counted 19 loons, including 18 adults and one chick. While the annual census provides only a one-hour snapshot rather than a complete population estimate, conservationists say the long-running data helps identify population trends and measure the success of conservation efforts.
Biologists caution that the census itself does not explain why loon numbers have increased. However, organizations involved in loon conservation point to several contributing factors, including increased public awareness of nesting loons, efforts to reduce disturbances from boats and shoreline recreation, and programs aimed at preventing deaths caused by discarded fishing line and lead tackle. Continued stewardship of Lake George’s water quality and habitat also has helped create favorable conditions for wildlife.
The census also serves as an opportunity to engage residents and visitors in conservation. Volunteers record the number of adult loons and chicks they observe during the designated hour, contributing information used by the Adirondack Center for Loon Conservation to monitor breeding populations across the state.
Conservation groups say Lake George remains an important breeding area despite heavy recreational use during the summer season. They encourage boaters to give nesting loons plenty of space, anglers to properly dispose of fishing line and avoid lead tackle, and shoreline users to minimize disturbances near nesting sites.
Because common loons typically raise only one or two chicks in a successful breeding season, even small improvements in nesting success can have a meaningful impact on the local population over time. Organizers say participation in the annual census not only provides valuable scientific data but also helps foster public appreciation for a species that has become a symbol of the Adirondacks.
