The Adirondack Tremolo 2011 Spring Summer Newsletter Volume 10, Issue 1

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1 IN THIS ISSUE: BRI Welcomes Dr. Paruk! Meet Jim Aug 5, 6, or 7! About BRI and ACLC BRI s New Look Fishline and Loons ACLC to the Rescue! Adk Loon Research Update Meet the Match! 2010 Loon Census Sponsor our Field Staff! BRI Responds to the Spill Adopt an Adk Loon Audubon Recognition Thank You for Your Support! BRI s Webcams E Newsletters As you see, this newsletter is a bit later than normal. The majority of my time this past year was devoted to our avian health research assessing impacts to birds affected by the Gulf oil spill, Thus, I have gotten a bit behind with my normal deadlines, and I sincerely apologize for the delay. Thank you for your understanding! I hope you enjoy reading about our exciting wildlife conservation initiatives in the Adirondacks and beyond. Have a great summer of loon leering! Dr. Nina Schoch, Coordinator BRI s Adirondack Center for Loon Conservation The Adirondack Tremolo 2011 Spring Summer Newsletter Volume 10, Issue 1 In January 2011, Dr. Jim Paruk joined Biodiversity Research Institute s staff as our Director of the International Loon Center for Conservation and Research. Jim has a long history with BRI, and has been studying loons for decades, primarily in the Midwest. We are thrilled that he is now bringing his vast experience to BRI to lead our International Loon Center and expand our worldwide loon conservation efforts and research. BRI S ADIRONDACK CENTER FOR LOON CONSERVATION BRI WELCOMES DR. JIM PARUK! In his short time with BRI, Jim has already developed some very exciting loon conservation opportunities! He has received a grant to continue BRI s yellow billed loon study on the North Slope of Alaska, which will provide essential reproductive success and spatial use data to aid in guiding development of the National Petroleum Reserve to minimize impacts to this unique bird. Additionally, Jim has initiated a long term study of wintering loons in the Gulf of Mexico to monitor loon health in the area hit by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in Another project will investigate the daily and seasonal movements of red throated loons wintering off the Atlantic coast to provide important baseline data on loon use and movements in areas where wind farm leases have been sold, and thus, yielding critical information to aid in the proper siting of wind farms to minimize disturbance and loss to wildlife. BRI will continue to be a leader in the fields of ecotoxicology and mercury contamination, using loons as sentinels. Additionally, we will also gather data and documentation of lead poisoning in loons due to accidental ingestion of lead fishing tackle, a primary cause of adult mortality in loons, providing be important as the EPA evaluates the need for more stringent restrictions on lead fishing tackle. Our loon work in the Adirondacks is a key component of BRI s larger regional efforts to gather more data on these conservation issues and threats to this unique family of birds and other wildlife. MEET JIM ON AUG 5, 6, OR 7! We are very pleased that Jim will be coming to the Adirondacks for an exciting weekend of presentations and fieldwork! PLEASE JOIN US on August 5, 6, or 7 for Jim s intriguing presentation about current loon conservation and research efforts in North America. Receptions will be held, so you can personally meet with Jim and other BRI staff! Friday, Aug 5, 7pm, at View (the new Old Forge Arts Center), Saturday, Aug 6, 6:30pm, at the Paul Smiths Visitors Interpretive Center (VIC), as part of the Wildlife Festival, Sunday, Aug 7, 3pm, at The Wild Center, VISIT OUR NEW LINK!

Biodiversity Research Institute (BRI) is a 501(c)3 non profit organization whose mission is to assess emerging threats to wildlife and ecosystems through collaborative research, and to use scientific

2 Biodiversity Research Institute (BRI) is a 501(c)3 non profit organization whose mission is to assess emerging threats to wildlife and ecosystems through collaborative research, and to use scientific findings to advance environmental awareness and inform decision makers. In 1998, as part of a larger regional study, BRI initiated research in New York s Adirondack Park on the impact of airborne mercury pollution to common loons (Gavia immer) and aquatic ecosystems. BRI s Adirondack Center for Loon Conservation was launched in 2009, evolving from this research and the former Adirondack Cooperative Loon Program. BRI s Adirondack Center for Loon Conservation is dedicated to improving the overall health of the environment, especially air and water quality, through collaborative research and outreach focusing on the natural history of the common loon and conservation issues affecting loon populations and their aquatic habitats. Through the ACLC, BRI provides greater regional, national, and global exposure for loon conservation, while adding increased capacity in and around the Adirondacks. For more information: BRI s Adirondack Center for Loon Conservation P.O. Box 195 Ray Brook, NY x145 adkloon@briloon.org Biodiversity Research Institute 19 Flaggy Meadow Rd. Gorham, ME uncomfortable birds and free them. As you may have noticed, BRI has a new look! On June 28, we were thrilled to have our Executive Director, Dr. David Evers, introduce our new logo, website, and our first ever Annual Report, Soaring Ahead! The Annual Report provides an amazing overview of BRI s history and our recent expansion of our national and global wildlife conservation research. Download BRI s Annual Report at annual report to learn about BRI s exciting new Programs and our extensive wildlife conservation research and initiatives! Or... contact BRI directly to obtain a hard copy of the report. FISHLINE AND LOONS ACLC TO THE RESCUE! BRI S NEW LOOK! Although BRI s Adirondack Center for Loon Conservation is not an official loon rescue organization, we do receive several calls each summer regarding loons entangled in fishing line. Under Dr. Schoch s wildlife rehabilitation license, we attempt to capture these distressed and This year, calls regarding imperiled loons began just as the ice was letting out, with a loon that had been washed over a Lake Placid dam during a bad storm and floods. Then, two weeks later, we received a call regarding a loon on Mirror Lake with fishing line wrapped around its head (photo). Fortunately, both loons were soon captured and released, with the expert assistance from NYS DEC s Region 5 Wildlife staff, Unfortunately, the calls about entangled loons have continued since May, and we have now attempted to rescue seven loons throughout the Adirondacks. With our very limited staff, this volunteer effort is quite a demand on our resources, time, and personal lives, as our best chance of catching a loon is at night. In some cases, the loons have been readily captured and rescue attempts have been successful. However, in other cases, the loons have repeatedly evaded our capture efforts, and so, the birds probably succumb to infections or starvation due to the line impairing their ability to eat. Please pick up any abandoned fishing line and tackle that you find to prevent needless wildlife injuries and deaths! We are most grateful to NYS DEC and North Country Wild Care for their assistance in responding to calls about distressed loons, and especially to NYS DEC s Region 5 Wildlife and the Central Office Bureau of Wildlife staff for their able assistance with the capture attempts.

HELP US MEET THE MATCH! We are very pleased and honored to be the recipient of a generous matching grant from the Nordlys Foundation.

As a long time loon enthusiast and follower of BRI s Adirondack Center for Loon Conservation, you are essential to the continuation of our research and outreach efforts in the Park.

Our long term studies and education projects have greatly contributed to enhanced public and scientific understanding of critical conservation issues affecting Adirondack loons and their aquatic

As a special incentive, Dr. Schoch will offer a personal field trip to watch banded loons for donors who contribute $1000 or more to support BRI s Adirondack Center for Loon Conservation!

Schoch was traveling regularly to the Gulf during the summer, our excellent field staff continued monitoring banded loons in the Adirondacks for our long term study to assess the biotic impacts of

3 HELP US MEET THE MATCH! We are very pleased and honored to be the recipient of a generous matching grant from the Nordlys Foundation. This means, however, that we must make the match of $5000 before the end of the year! Thus, we are appealing to YOU to help us Meet the Match! As a long time loon enthusiast and follower of BRI s Adirondack Center for Loon Conservation, you are essential to the continuation of our research and outreach efforts in the Park. Our work is entirely supported through private donations and foundation funding. Our long term studies and education projects have greatly contributed to enhanced public and scientific understanding of critical conservation issues affecting Adirondack loons and their aquatic habitats. If you like our Adirondack loon conservation efforts, and want us to continue this essential work, then Please send in your support form with your generous donation TODAY! As a special incentive, Dr. Schoch will offer a personal field trip to watch banded loons for donors who contribute $1000 or more to support BRI s Adirondack Center for Loon Conservation! ADIRONDACK LOON RESEARCH UPDATE The last year proved to be incredibly busy for BRI s Adirondack Center for Loon Conservation! While Dr. Schoch was traveling regularly to the Gulf during the summer, our excellent field staff continued monitoring banded loons in the Adirondacks for our long term study to assess the biotic impacts of mercury pollution using loons as a sentinel species. We are most grateful to the Freed Foundation, Nordlys Foundation, Conservation and Research Foundation, and numerous private donors for their generous support to enable us to conduct our Adirondack loon research and outreach initiatives in Over this past winter, Dr. Schoch and our collaborators have been extensively analyzing the loon mercury data we have gathered in the Park since We are very pleased to announce that our findings have been compiled into a report for the NYS Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), and manuscripts have been accepted for publication in Ecotoxicology. Additional manuscripts for publication will be submitted for publication in 2011 and The NYSERDA report will be available on the NYSERDA and BRI websites later this year. It summarizes the results of our aquatic food web study, including the development of: 1. A Wildlife Criterion Value to enable policy makers to better regulate mercury emissions based on water mercury levels to minimize exposure risk to wildlife; 2. Exposure and hazard profiles to evaluate the mercury levels throughout the food chain and in loons; 3. An estimate of the risk that mercury pollution poses to Adirondack loons it was found that 21% male and 8% female loons were at high risk of behavioral and reproductive impacts due to mercury exposure, and were fledging 30 50% fewer chicks annually than low mercury birds; and 4. A population model to evaluate the long term effect of mercury pollution on growth rate of the loon population in the Park, which found that the portion of the Adirondack loon population exposed to high mercury levels had a much reduced growth rate compared to birds with low mercury exposure. In 2011, we will continue our studies on the impact of mercury exposure to the immune function of Adirondack loons in collaboration with Dr. Keith Grasman; an assessment of the health of the Adirondack loon population in partnership with WCS Global Health Program; and our long term monitoring to evaluate the affects of mercury pollution to loon reproductive success.

The Annual Loon Census is coordinated by the Wildlife Conservation Society s Adirondack Program in collaboration with BRI s Adirondack Center for Loon Conservation.

4 ~ 2010 NEW YORK ANNUAL LOON CENSUS RESULTS ~ July 17, 2010, marked the tenth anniversary of New York s Annual Loon Census! Once again, participation was excellent, with over 550 observers looking for loons on more than 200 lakes! The Annual Loon Census is coordinated by the Wildlife Conservation Society s Adirondack Program in collaboration with BRI s Adirondack Center for Loon Conservation. Through the Annual Loon Census, essential information is obtained regarding the status and trends in New York s summer loon population, enabling the Dept. of Environmental Conservation to better manage this unique species in NY. Adult loons without chicks were observed on 90 (43%) lakes, chicks or immatures were seen on 70 (33%) lakes, and no loons were observed on 50 (24%) of the 211 lakes included in the 2010 Census. Although the individual lakes and the actual number of lakes included in the Census have varied from year to year, the graph below indicates that the percentage of Census lakes where loons and loon chicks were observed has been fairly consistent over time from 2001 to 2010, with loons being observed on ~74% of the Census lakes, and chicks found on over 28% of the lakes. Annual Loon Census Summary - % Census Lakes Where Loons Were and Were Not Observed: The map above shows the locations and results for the lakes and ponds surveyed during the 2010 Annual Loon Census. Five hundred and ninety eight loons were observed on 160 (76%) of the Census lakes, including 498 (84%) adults, 86 (14%) chicks, and 14 (2%) immature birds. One hundred and ninety four (97%) of the 211 Census lakes were in the Adirondack Park. % Census Lakes 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% %Lakes with Loons %Lakes with Adult Loons Only %Lakes with Loon Chicks or Immatures %Lakes-No Loons Observed Year This pair of loons have different patterns of fishing and hanging out than our last few years pair. They tend to fish and "hang out" at the east end of pond and close to river. One has a different vocal sound and a little different pattern of calls. They seem to call more at night. We are thrilled that they have produced an offspring. We didn't see it in the "chick" stage but feel confident that it belongs to our pair. Osgood Pond

The graph at right indicates that the reproductive rate of New York s breeding loon population continues to be stable, as the proportion of adult and young loons observed in the Annual Loon Census

5 The graph at right indicates that the reproductive rate of New York s breeding loon population continues to be stable, as the proportion of adult and young loons observed in the Annual Loon Census has been constant over the ten years of the project. This is the greatest number of adult loons we have ever seen gathered in one location. At one point there were 6 adult loons milling about together. All seemed peaceful with them - the only sound we heard was an occasional "hoot" like sound that was soft. The 8:38am and 8:39am flyin loons were separate from the group of 6. Perhaps Polliwog Pond was a designated adult loon convention site! - Polliwog Pond Once again, we are most grateful to our Loon Census coordinators on the larger waterbodies, who continue to do an amazing job! Their assistance organizing volunteers on the following lakes helps ensure that observations are not duplicated: Adirondack League Club The Northwoods Club Canada Lake Old Forge/Inlet Area Chazy Lake Peck Lake Cranberry Lake Raquette Lake Lake George St. Regis Canoe Area Lake Placid Thousand Islands region of the St. Lawrence River Loon Lake Upper Saranac Lake Lows Lake Additional 2010 Annual Loon Census results will be posted on: and THE 2011NEW YORK LOON CENSUS The eleventh Annul Loon Census was held on Saturday, July 16, 2011, which proved to be a beautiful day for watching loons! Due to exceptional time constraints this spring, this newsletter was unfortunately delayed until after the Census had already occurred. My sincere apologies! I hope you were able to assist with the Census as in previous years, and that everyone saw lots of loons! Results from the 2011 NY Loon Census will be analyzed over the winter of , and posted to our websites, and next spring. % Total # Loons Observed 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% Annual Loon Census Summary: % Adult, Chick, and Immature Loons Observed: %Loons=Adults %Loons=Chicks %Loons= Immatures Year The first loon family I observed were waiting for me at my dock. They were in no hurry to go anywhere. Simond Pond ADOPT AN ADIRONDACK LOON! Follow the life of one of our study loons from year to year! By adopting one of our color banded study birds, you will help support our exciting Adirondack loon conservation research and outreach efforts. Your donation will help us learn more about the impact of environmental contaminants to Adirondack wildlife and their habitats, as well as help increase public awareness of the many conservation threats affecting loon populations. Adopting a loon is also an excellent and very unique gift for the loon lover in your family! Recipients are sent a description of their loon's personal history; a personalized Adopt A Loon Certificate; a fact sheet on loons and they are affected by mercury and lead; a Loon Appreciation poster; and an 8" x 10" color loon photo. To Adopt A Loon from one of our Adirondack study lakes, please visit: bri/support/ adopt a loon

more than 60 biologists in response to the massive Deepwater Horizon oil spill in late April, 2010.

6 ~ BRI RESPONDS TO THE GULF OIL SPILL ~ As a key component of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service s Natural Resource Damage Assessment and Restoration (NRDAR) efforts in the Gulf of Mexico, BRI rapidly deployed more than 60 biologists in response to the massive Deepwater Horizon oil spill in late April, Under intense and challenging conditions, BRI staff conducted critical research to assess the impact of the oil spill to Gulf bird populations through documenting oiling rates, individual survival through telemetry, and the health of affected birds. These studies are an initial step in the NRDAR process to ultimately restore natural environments impacted by human activities. As BRI s Gulf work continues, our scientists work cooperatively with federal and state governments to assure the thorough documentation of any injury to natural resources, with the goal of eventually bringing the bird populations and unique ecosystems of the Gulf of Mexico back to their former untainted status. To learn more about BRI s avian Gulf research, visit Information about the NRDAR process can be found at assessment BECOME A FIELD STAFF SPONSOR! Each summer, field staff are hired to regularly monitor returning banded loons to determine if they successfully raise chicks. Our knowledgeable field staff also provide informal outreach by answering questions from the public about loon natural history, and assist in many other essential tasks, such as rescuing injured loons. We invite YOU to sponsor one of our seasonal staff with a generous donation of $1000 or more! Learn more about our field staff sponsorship opportunities by contacting Dr. Schoch at adkloon@briloon.org or x145, or check the Sponsor box on the support form. Dan and Ginger Poleschook ~ DR. SCHOCH RECEIVES AUDUBON RECOGNITION ~ Dr. Nina Schoch, the Coordinator for BRI s Adirondack Center for Loon Conservation, was very honored this spring to be one of more than 50 women to receive special recognition by the National Audubon Society, the Women in Conservation Program and the Rachel Carson Awards Council for their contributions to the ongoing Gulf Coast relief and recovery effort. During the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill, Dr. Schoch led BRI s veterinary team conducting avian health assessments to evaluate sublethal effects of oil exposure to wild bird populations. The results of their work will help assess the extent of physiologic damage that oil causes to bird populations, which may not be readily apparent, but could lead to increasing susceptibility to disease, poorer long term reproductive success, and/or survival. For more information about the Women of the Gulf and Audubon s Women in Conservation Program, visit

7 WITH MUCH THANKS! We are extremely grateful to the numerous people and foundations who have so generously donated much needed financial and volunteer support in the past year to Biodiversity Research Institute for our Adirondack Center for Loon Conservation! Through your support, we have been able to continue our long term loon monitoring studies and conservation efforts in and around the Adirondack Park. Your generosity has enabled us to increase scientific and public awareness regarding critical environmental conservation issues, providing valuable scientific data to guide protection of wildlife and the environment. Although we do not have sufficient space to acknowledge each of you individually in this newsletter, please know that your considerate donations and time are most appreciated! Gratefully yours, Dr. Nina Schoch, Dr. David Evers, and Dr. Jim Paruk YES! I WOULD LIKE TO SUPPORT BRI S ADIRONDACK CENTER FOR LOON CONSERVATION S SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH AND EDUCATION PROJECTS! Enclosed is my donation of: $25 $50 $100 $500 $1000 Other: $ I have enclosed a check payable to BioDiversity Research Institute Please charge my donation to my: Visa MasterCard American Express Discover Card # Signature: Expiration Date: Billing Zip Code: I would like to make a contribution to the WCS Loon Conservation Fund at the Adirondack Community Trust to support both BRI s and WCS loon conservation efforts in the Adirondacks. Enclosed is my check in the amount of $, payable to the WCS Loon Conservation Fund at ACT YES! I want to do MORE to help BRI s Adirondack Center for Loon Conservation! Please use my additional gift of $ to help Meet the Match from the Nordlys Foundation! I would like to be an ACLC Field Staff Sponsor! Enclosed is my additional gift of $. Name: Phone: Street Address: City, State, Zip: E Mail: PLEASE CLIP THIS FORM AND RETURN IT TO: BRI s Adirondack Center for Loon Conservation P.O. Box 195, Ray Brook, NY Your tax deductible donation payable to Biodiversity Research Institute supports our Adirondack Center for Loon Conservation s exciting and innovative research and education endeavors. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

8 BRI WEBCAMS Do you like to watch birds on their nests, incubating eggs, and feeding chicks? BRI offers you an incredible opportunity to see eagles, peregrine falcons, osprey, house finches, and loons build nests, incubate eggs, and raise their chicks! See unedited footage of these fascinating birds caring for their eggs and chicks by visiting BRI s webcams at: ADK LOON E NEWSLETTER! Are you receiving a paper copy of The Adirondack Tremolo, but prefer to go green and receive an electronic version? If so, please send your e mail address to adkloon@briloon.org to get our e newsletter instead. There are several advantages to sending us your address! The e newsletter is a color version that can be easily shared with friends and family; You will receive occasional updates about our research or an invitation to an upcoming event; and You will also receive the Biodiversity Monitor, BRI s exceptional newsletter, to provide you with informative updates about our extensive wildlife conservation work and future events. Remember to update us with your new address or if you move or change your e mail address, so you will continue to receive our newsletter, The Adirondack Tremolo, and, if you are an subscriber, the Biodiversity Monitor. Thank you for helping us save paper and expenses! ENJOY! BRI S ADIRONDACK CENTER FOR LOON CONSERVATION P.O. Box 195 Ray Brook, NY NONPROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID SARANAC LAKE, NY PERMIT NO.15

The Adirondack Tremolo

The Adirondack Tremolo 2004 Winter Newsletter Volume 3, Issue 1 Loon Migration Linking People and the Environment Every fall, the most common question asked of the Adirondack Cooperative Loon Program is