In partnership with the Adirondack Center for Loon Conservation (ACLC), the Upper Saranac Foundation (USF) is actively working to protect loon populations and address the many challenges these iconic birds face. This year, USF and ACLC deployed an avian guard at a known nesting site to improve nesting success by providing shade from excessive sun, reducing nest visibility, and deterring potential predators.
Loons are known to return to the same nesting sites year after year, even after repeated nesting failures. Unfortunately, this behavior can put them at risk in locations that are no longer viable due to changes in water levels or increased recreational activity. In 2024, one such nesting site on Upper Saranac Lake failed due to flooding caused by rising water levels and boat wake action.
Upper Saranac Lake is proud to be recognized as a certified Loon-Friendly Lake by the ACLC—an acknowledgment of USF’s commitment to environmental stewardship and community engagement in protecting loons and their habitats. Despite healthy adult loon populations, breeding success remains a growing concern. In 2024, 29% of all confirmed or suspected nest failures across the Adirondacks were attributed to flooding, a threat intensified by climate change.
During the 2024 Annual Loon Census, 36 loons were counted on Upper Saranac Lake, but only two were chicks. Nearby, just two chicks were observed among a combined total of 19 adult loons on Hole Pond, Lake Clear, and Follensby Clear Pond. These figures reinforce the importance of continued monitoring, habitat protection, and public awareness to support the reproductive success of loons for future generations.
