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RANGELEY — The annual loon count on Rangeley Lake was the highest it’s been in 35 years, due largely to a robust volunteer effort July 21.
Part of the annual Maine Audubon Loon Count, Rangeley Lake volunteers counted 40 loons, including 38 adults and two chicks, a huge number compared to previous years.
The loon spotters were able to provide a complete survey of the lake for the first time in recent history, organizers said.
The effort was part of the annual Maine Audubon Loon Project, which is conducted statewide on the third Saturday of July.
Kevin Sinnett, of the Rangeley Region Guides and Sportsman’s Association said that after the 2016 count reported only three loons, he contacted Sue Gallo, of the Loon Project Coordinator, to see how Rangeley could improve its reporting. Sinnett was the local coordinator for this summer’s count.
Working with 11 lakefront volunteers and another 10 aboard the Gray Ghost pontoon boat, a complete survey of Rangeley Lake was conducted.
Lakefront volunteers included Chris Higgins, Julie and Jim Custer, Joani and Glenn Yankee, Martha Chase, Joan Meerman, Dick and Andy Hall and Bob and Elaine Fitzgibbon.
Joining Sinnett on the Gray Ghost were George and Sharon Everett, Anna Scharf, Michael, Bridget and Chris Price, Ellen Bradley, Susan Tourtillotte and her two granddaughters Amelia and Molly Joca.
“To better appreciate the number of loons counted on Rangeley Lake this summer it might help to reflect on some history of the loon count on our lake,” Sinnett said. “The first survey was conducted in 1983 with 16 adult loons and one chick observed. The largest number of loons was counted in 2000, with 26 adults and one chick. The last complete survey was conducted in 2012, reporting 19 adults and zero chicks.”
He said this year’s count was the largest number recorded on Rangeley Lake since the survey started 35 years ago.
“In the two sections of the lake that we covered in the Gray Ghost, we counted 22 loons,” Sinnett said. “Our passengers, especially the children, were thrilled.”
He said while the survey is not “scientific,” given the possibility that some loons may have been double counted and others may have been missed, “I feel it accurately reflects our loon population that is supported by our excellent loon habitat.”
“Given our pristine lakes and abundant food supply, the Rangeley Lakes Region offer the ommon loons a location that they, and many people, seek – a remote, quiet, and peaceful area to spend the summer,” he said.
The 2019 count is Saturday, July 20, and those wishing to volunteer may contact Sinnett at Rangeley Region Lake Cruises, rangeleycruises@gmail.com
TOP PHOTO: Volunteers for the Rangeley Lake annual loon count aboard the Gray Ghost July 21. (Doreen Sinnett photo)
