Nature enthusiasts across New Hampshire and beyond are tuning in to watch one of the state’s most beloved birds begin another nesting season in real time.
The Loon Preservation Committee’s live Loon Cam is once again streaming from an undisclosed location in New Hampshire’s Lakes Region. This offers viewers a rare look at a nesting pair of common loons as they incubate their eggs and prepare for the arrival of their chicks.
According to The Laconia Daily Sun, The first egg was laid on May 22, marking the beginning of a closely watched nesting period. Once the second egg is laid, the adult loons are expected to settle into a more consistent incubation routine. If all goes as expected, viewers could witness chick hatching sometime between June 18 and June 20.
New Hampshire’s Loons Take Center Stage
For many viewers, the opportunity to observe these intimate moments has become an annual tradition. The livestream allows people to watch the nesting process unfold naturally, from egg laying and incubation to the eventual arrival of chicks.
The pair featured on the camera is one of many loon pairs currently nesting across New Hampshire. Loons typically build their nests on the ground near the water’s edge, often along islands, marshes, protected coves, and quiet shorelines. Because they are highly adapted for swimming and struggle to move on land, nesting sites must remain close to the water.
What Makes the Loon Cam So Captivating
The livestream provides a window into a part of loon life that most people never get to see. Throughout the nesting season, viewers can watch the male and female take turns incubating the eggs, perform nest exchanges, communicate with one another, and respond to activity around the lake.
While much of the time the scene may appear quiet, experienced viewers know that important moments can happen at any time. A loon may stand to rotate the eggs, switch places with its mate, or react to nearby wildlife. The livestream includes audio, allowing viewers to hear the pair’s soft vocalizations and interactions.
Since launching in 2014, the Loon Cam has given viewers an unprecedented look at loon nesting behavior. In many years, audiences have been able to witness the entire process, from nest site selection and incubation to chick hatching and the first days of life on the water.
The livestream also features a replay function that allows viewers to rewind up to 12 hours to revisit notable moments. The Loon Preservation Committee maintains an archive of clips from previous seasons, documenting everything from nest exchanges to memorable chick encounters. Over the years, more than 100 video clips have been preserved and shared with the public.
Protecting Loons During Nesting Season
The camera also serves as a reminder of the challenges nesting loons face in the wild. Because their nests are located directly along shorelines, they are vulnerable to boat wakes, changing water levels, predators, and human disturbance.
Conservationists urge boaters, anglers, and hikers to use caution around nesting areas. The Laconia Daily Sun reports that anyone who encounters a loon nest should remain at least 150 feet away and move farther back if a loon shows signs of distress, such as lowering its head over the nest.
If a loon is accidentally flushed from its nest, visitors should leave the area immediately so the bird feels safe enough to return and continue incubating. Boaters are also encouraged to follow New Hampshire’s no wake laws to help prevent nests from being swamped by waves.
The Loon Preservation Committee monitors loon populations across the state as part of its mission to restore and maintain healthy breeding populations, track environmental conditions, and promote public appreciation for New Hampshire’s wildlife.
A Brief Look at the Loon Cam Community
Alongside the livestream, viewers can participate in a YouTube chat where loon enthusiasts share observations, discuss behavior seen on camera, and help document notable moments such as egg turns, nest exchanges, and visits from other wildlife.
Subscribers to the Loon Preservation Committee’s YouTube channel can join the conversation, and LPC biologists occasionally participate in question-and-answer sessions. The chat has become a gathering place for viewers who return each season to follow the nesting pair’s progress.
To keep the community welcoming and useful, participants are encouraged to stay focused on loon related discussion, avoid lengthy personal conversations, and maintain a family friendly atmosphere. The organization also asks experienced participants to be welcoming to first time viewers and notes that moderators may remove comments or restrict access if discussions become disruptive or hostile.
The live Loon Cam can be viewed at loon.org/looncam, where viewers can follow the nesting pair’s progress as they await the arrival of this year’s chicks. To learn more about the Loon Preservation Committee’s work, visit loon.org.