Two Grounded Loon Rescues in One Week
During the week of July 7 - 13, 2024, the Adirondack Center for Loon Conservation (ACLC) office had several calls for loons in distress. One of those calls was for a loon with an embedded fishing hook that was rescued on July 9. Two other calls were each for grounded loons.
The first call was Wednesday, July 10 for a grounded loon on Wardner Road in Rainbow Lake, NY. It was the night after Hurricane Beryl passed through, which may have contributed to the loon being disoriented or otherwise unable to fly through to its ultimate destination. A community member spotted the loon and let the ACLC office know.
ACLC staff retrieved the loon that evening and kept it overnight because of the late hour. The loon was examined for possible injuries; the only one discovered was an old injury to the foot that had long since healed. The loon was given antibiotics and fluids as precautionary treatments and banded.
On Thursday morning, July 11, ACLC research biologists swim-tested the loon to make sure it was healthy enough to be released. Because researchers aren’t sure exactly where the loon was headed, it was released on a nearby lake without other known territorial loons to make sure that this loon has a chance to feed and recover before continuing on its journey.
The second grounded loon rescue call came in on Friday, July 12. A North Country Dairy employee in North Lawrence, NY, spotted a loon along the road on Route 52. It just so happened that two long-time rescue volunteers, Trish Pielnick and Larry McGrory, were planning a trip into Saranac Lake and were able to arrange to meet the employee and safely retrieve the loon.
This loon was examined and found to have no visible or apparent injuries, but had been on a hot road for some time so ice packs were used to help bring down its body temperature. It was give antibiotics and fluids and also banded before being released to feed and recover on a nearby lake.
Dr. Nina Schoch examines the grounded loon from North Lawrence with assistance from ACLC employee Karli Wood.
The loon rescued from North Lawrence stretches its wings soon after being released.
As always, thank you to all of the community members and volunteers who help protect Adirondack loons by calling in when they spot a loon in distress and by responding to help distressed loons. We are also grateful to Jean Soprano of Kindred Kingdoms Wildlife Rehabilitation Center for donating two large troughs that can be used to swim-test loons before they are safely released.
If you spot a loon in distress, give us a call at 518-354-8636 or email us at info@adkloon.org. Please be prepared to share your name and contact information, the location of the loon, and if possible, to include a photo or video of the distressed loon to help us promptly assess the situation.
Denise Silfee, ACLC Education & Communications Director