The Lake George Association helps organize volunteers to count loons on Lake George as part of an annual loon monitoring program aimed at determining the relative health of the population of this signature Adirondack bird. This program is part of the Adirondack Center for Loon Conservation.
In 2018, volunteers spotted 21 adult loons, two chicks and 4 immature loons on Lake George in Warren and Essex counties. For the entire Adirondack results, click here. See chart below for other Lake George-specific results in previous years.
The 2020 census will take place on Saturday, July 18 from 8:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. To take part, call or e-mail us and let us know a location on Lake George that you are interested in monitoring. We will provide you with the data collection forms that you will need.
Each summer since 2007, LGA has coordinated volunteers for the annual Loon census on Lake George, part of an Adirondack-wide study. The program and is conducted in partnership with the Adirondack Center for Loon Conservation.
Check out these publications about loons in the Adirondacks
- Loons and People: Guidelines for “Nesting” Together on Adirondack Lakes (report) – pdf
- Loons and People: Guidelines for “Nesting” Together on Adirondack Lakes (brochure) – pdf
- The Common Loon in the Adirondack Park – pdf
- The Cycle of the Common Loon (brochure) – pdf
- Get the lead out! (brochure) – pdf
The official counts are published in the annual report of the loon census. The census takes place every year on the third Saturday of July.
Lake George has been included in the census since 2004. No loons were recorded on Lake George for the 2004 census and only one loon was recorded in the 2005 census. In 2006, three adult loons and one immature loon were seen on Lake George. In 2007, the number increased to five. Over time, these numbers will indicate trends in the loon population that will help with management efforts if needed.
Click here for a summary of the 2001-2009 Census Results.