SALISBURY/LEICESTER — One of the two 5-week-old loon chicks being raised on Lake Dunmore was found with a badly broken leg on the morning of Sunday, Aug. 1.
The Cruz family on the east shore called local loon monitor, Mike Korkuc and his wife, Rosie, who rescued the chick and transported it to the Vermont Institute of Natural Science (VINS) rehabilitation center in Woodstock, where it was evaluated and euthanized. The VINS staff stated the injury was from a boat propeller.
The remaining chick and parents are doing well but remain at risk from natural predators as well as from human carelessness. The weekend boat traffic is especially a concern as drivers need to watch for other boats, towing tubes, skiers and swimmers.
All boat drivers are encouraged to keep a careful watch for the loons and give them a good deal of space. We are so fortunate to have these magnificent birds breeding on the lake again after many decades without them. Some observers have seen other loons besides this one family, and they are all special.
They currently prefer the cove south of Sucker Brook, both sides of the lake east and west of the island as well as south towards the northern end of the ski course.
They can be difficult to see in windy conditions. Go slow and scan!