Report a NH Loon in Distress

If you are still concerned about the loon after watching this video, please continue to fill out this form. If you think the loon is just preening, you do not need to proceed with this form.

If you are still concerned about the loon after watching this video, please continue to fill out this form. If you think the loon is just bathing, you do not need to proceed with this form.

We receive many reports about loons doing this during the summer months—so many that we have coined the term "loafing loon" to describe them. The majority of loafing loons resume normal behavior within 24 hours, and it may be that they are healing up from a fight with another loon or are laying low on a hot day. The best course of action with a loafing loon is simply to monitor it for a few hours. If it does not resume normal behavior after 3-4 hours, please revisit this form and submit a report.

NOTE: While the majority of loafing loons are not in distress, some are. If the loafing loon that you are observing is in the shallows (2 feet or less of water) or is staying within a few feet of the shoreline, please submit your report right away.