LOCALadk Magazine

Summer 2016 LOCALadk Magazine 20 LOCALadk Get the party started early this summer with an Elixir mixer Adirondack Bloody Mary Mix available in a variety of grocery stores and liquor stores in the Adirondacks and beyond some Adirondack loon nest sites. In 2013, a camera documented an alarming amount of intensive human disturbance by paddlers at a loon nest on Limekiln Lake, a popular camping destination. While the photos indicated that the incubating loons were tol- erant of people—they rarely showed defensive behavior and re- mained on the nest even when canoes and kayaks approached within a few feet—a high degree of human disturbance places undue stress on nesting loons and increases the likelihood of nest failure. Thus, after reviewing these results, NYS DEC began incorporat- ing ropes and floating signs around certain nest sites to deter paddlers from entering loon nesting territory during the incuba- tion period. This management program has helped reduce the number of human disturbances recorded by our cameras and our summer field staff which monitors loons weekly. Such photos of Adirondack loon nesting behavior and factors affecting nesting success have been incorporated into BRI's Ad- irondack Center for Loon Conservation's presentations and ed- ucational programming to inspire people to clearly understand the needs of nesting common loons, and to become more active in conservation of the environment and its wild inhabitants. As another summer begins, we urge Adirondack visitors and res- idents to be mindful of this majestic icon of the Park as it nests on the lakes and ponds. Please be sure to bring binoculars and maintain at least 150 feet when observing loons, and use a long- range zoom lens for photography to minimize disturbing them. If you are fortunate, one of these beautiful birds will approach you, enabling you to watch them closely. However, if you find that a loon is swimming constantly away from you, tremoloing, or do- ing a penguin dance, that is an indication that it feels threatened and you should watch from further away. Whether you've enjoyed watching Adirondack loons every sum- mer for decades or you're hoping to see one for the first time, we hope you will have fun visiting our new Adirondack Loon and Trails Center in Saranac Lake this summer. Opening in July, it is a collaboration with the Adirondack Community-based Trails and Lodging System. It will be a great resource for visitors to learn more about our nest camera project and other research, conser- vation, and outreach efforts in the Park. Please come to the cen- ter and learn how to become more involved in supporting and protecting this beautiful Adirondack icon! The mission of Biodiversity Research Institute is to assess emerging threats to wildlife and ecosystems through collaborative research, and to use sci- entific findings to advance environmental awareness and inform decision makers. BRI's Adirondack Center for Loon Conservation merges research, conservation, and outreach to enhance understanding of common loon ecology and conservation and inspire conservation strategies to bet- ter protect the environment in and beyond New York's Adirondack Park. For more information, contact: Biodiversity Research Institute's Adirondack Center for Loon Conservation adkloon@briloon.org, or (888) 749-5666 x145 www.briloon.org/adkloon and www.facebook.com/adkloon

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