[caption id="attachment_3099" align="alignright" width="300"] Loons on Forest Lake[/caption] One of the best things about living in the North Country is being able to enjoy Forest Lake State Park. The park, which is located in Coos County, was created in 1935. It is "shared" by both Dalton and Whitefield and is open to the public for their recreation. The Park is made up of 396 acres with a water surface of 196 acres, it is a shimmering freshwater lake with an average depth of 10 feet. You can be on the lake and the surface literally looks like glass. The lake can be explored by boat, canoe or my personal favorite is by kayak. Wildlife may appear at any time, as deer frequent the park forests and birds nest in the trees. Surrounded by mountains, it is an ideal area for skiing in winter or hiking in the summer. One of the crown jewels are the Loons who call Forest Lake home during the spring, summer and early fall seasons. They arrive in spring, as soon as the ice thaws. As loons are territorial in nature, there are usually only one mated pair on a lake the size of Forest Lake. Loons build their nests close to the water, in Forest Lake there is a dedicated "Loon Island". [caption id="attachment_3100" align="alignleft" width="300"] 105 Forest Lake in Dalton, NH[/caption] I would be remiss if I failed to mention that Loon Island is listed for sale along with the main island. This summer, there are two "chicks" that can be seen swimming along with their "parents". Chicks are fed small food items for the first few weeks of life and up until about 8 weeks of age, the adults are with them most of the time. By the fall, the young are able to look after themselves. Adult loons usually migrate to the ocean to spend the winter. One of the most fascinating things about loons is their haunting and variable voices. They are most vocal from mid-May to mid-June. They have four distinct calls which they use to communicate with their families and other loons. These calls are known as the tremolo, wail, yodel and the hoot. The tremolo is known as the crazy laugh, loons use this call to signal alarm or to defend their territory. The wail call sounds almost like a howl, it is used to communicate with their mate. Only male loons call the yodel, it is used to defend the male's territory. The hoot is a one note call that is used by family members to locate each other. [caption id="attachment_3101" align="alignright" width="300"] Forest Lake[/caption] Everyone can enjoy watching the loons, although it is critical not to get too close to them. I was kayaking after work one evening and realized that we had gotten a little too close to the "Mama Loon and her chicks". We dropped back to allow them to recognize that we were not a threat. A relaxed loon will hold its head up whether on land or on water. Flapping their wings or preening is a normal part of their bathing although a loon may flap their wings if they sense danger. Any vocalization given when you are close to or approaching a loon can indicate distress – please back away and allow the loon to resume its normal behavior. [caption id="attachment_3102" align="alignleft" width="300"] The Living Room[/caption] There are several statewide Loon Preservation Committees whose missions are to restore and maintain a healthy population of loons throughout New Hampshire and to promote a better understanding of loons and the natural world. My personal experience sharing Forest Lake with the loons has only enhanced my love of the North Country and this beautiful area we call home. To learn more about the home for sale on an island in Forest Lake, in Dalton NH, please click here or feel free to contact any of our offices to learn more.