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2004 ACLP Annual Loon Census Results
“Feeding in northeast section of lake. Chick still fuzzy
and being fed by adults.
Awesome event!” – Ayers Lake
“Observation was in center of “big” lake; loons were
clustered very close and seemed to be showing immature how to surface
fish.”
–
Trout Lake
“We observed the entire lake, quickly stopping in areas
where we regularly observe the loons. This summer has been the most
active loon population in the 25 years we have lived here. We hear or
see them on a daily basis.” – Lake Placid
The Adirondack Cooperative Loon Program conducted the fourth Annual Loon
Census on Saturday, July 17th, 2004, under cool, overcast
skies. From 8:00-9:00 a.m., over
340
dedicated observers surveyed lakes and ponds throughout the Adirondack
Park and surrounding region. ACLP census participants reported on the
number of adult and juvenile loons observed during the census hour and
also provided valuable lake attribute information. The results of the
Annual Loon Census will enable ACLP to better evaluate trends in New
York’s breeding loon population.
We received a
total of 190 reports for the 161
lakes surveyed (Chart #1 – 2004). One hundred and fifty-three (95%) of
the census lakes were located within the Adirondack Park and included 24
randomly selected lakes, which are used to better estimate the loon
population through statistical techniques.
In 2004, adult loons with chicks were observed on
44
(27%)
of the
161
lakes surveyed. Adult loons without chicks were reported on
77
(48%)
lakes, and no loons were recorded on
40
(25%)
of the census lakes (Chart #2 – 2004).
 A
total of
460
loons were surveyed on
121
(75%)
of the census
lakes. Of these birds,
392
(85%)
were adults,
61
(13%)
were chicks, and
7
(2%)
were juveniles (Chart #3 – 2004).
Note:
An additional three reports were received that were unable to be
included with the final census results because the observations were
conducted before or after the designated census hour. However, these
observations will be included in our presence/absence database, and we
sincerely appreciate the efforts made by those observers.
Locations where loons were observed in the 2004 ACLP Annual Census are
shown on the
2004 Census Results Map.
The
2004 Census Results Table
documents the lakes where observations were conducted and the number of
loons observed on each lake.
Despite the cool, misty conditions during the census hour, the fourth
ACLP Annual Loon Census was a true success!
Thank you to our dedicated Census Participants for their observations!
We are looking forward to another great day in 2005!
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