A loon chick with its parents at Lake St Catherine in Vermont
Vermont’s adult loon population is at an all-time high, but scientists have noticed a recent decrease in the number of chicks surviving.
In 2024, Vermont saw a record-breaking 123 nesting pairs, 11 of which landed at first-time nesting sites. Out of the 125 loon chicks that hatched in 2024, 65% survived through the end of August, slightly below the 2004-23 average of 76%, according to the Vermont Center for EcoStudies.
Eric Hanson, a biologist for the Vermont Loon Conservation Project, said the three main reasons for less chick survival are competition, habitat loss, and predation from eagles and other wildlife.
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Flooding in Vermont in recent years has contributed to habitat loss and affected nesting success. Twenty-one nests were flooded in the summers of 2023 and 2024, a stark contrast to the one flooded nest reported during the drier summers from 2020 to 2022, according to the center’s 2024 loon season summary.
Nesting loons make their homes in smaller lakes when larger lakes are taken by other pairs of loons with established breeding grounds there. These sites tend to have more marginal habitat, often lacking protective features like marshes or islands. Nests built there are more exposed to predators, such as eagles and snapping turtles. Adults must also leave small lakes to feed in bigger areas where fish are plentiful, and the additional time spent away from their young can lead to their neglect, according to the season summary.
A higher presence of adult loons also creates territorial conflict, resulting in “turf battles” between loons that could prevent a pair from nesting, Hanson said. Chick casualties can also occur during these encounters.
However, lower nesting success rates are part of a natural process as the loon population begins to level out, he said.
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” data-medium-file=”https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Loon-Population-Vermont-3-300×201.jpg” data-large-file=”https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Loon-Population-Vermont-3-1200×804.jpg” fifu-data-src=”https://i2.wp.com/vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Loon-Population-Vermont-3-scaled.jpg?ssl=1″ alt=”A common loon with black and white plumage swims on a calm body of water.” class=”wp-image-625548″ srcset=”https://i2.wp.com/vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Loon-Population-Vermont-3-scaled.jpg?ssl=1 2560w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Loon-Population-Vermont-3-300×201.jpg 300w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Loon-Population-Vermont-3-1200×804.jpg 1200w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Loon-Population-Vermont-3-125×84.jpg 125w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Loon-Population-Vermont-3-768×515.jpg 768w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Loon-Population-Vermont-3-1536×1029.jpg 1536w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Loon-Population-Vermont-3-2048×1372.jpg 2048w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Loon-Population-Vermont-3-1024×686.jpg 1024w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Loon-Population-Vermont-3-2000×1340.jpg 2000w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Loon-Population-Vermont-3-780×523.jpg 780w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Loon-Population-Vermont-3-400×268.jpg 400w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Loon-Population-Vermont-3-706×473.jpg 706w” sizes=”(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px”>A loon glides on the water of the Green River Reservoir in spring. Photo by Fiona MacLean courtesy of the Vermont Center for EcoStudies
“Loons overall are doing really well, and we don’t need to see success all the time,” Hanson said.
Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department Biologist Jillian Killborn said this new phase is a balancing act on the landscape. After years of great success in increasing the loon population, slower growth and productivity is to be expected.
“With any wildlife population, there’s natural checks and balances that are built into populations when they start to get too high or exceed carrying capacity on the landscape,” Killborn said. Now, scientists are figuring out how many loons will remain in Vermont long term and where, she said.
Despite the drop in chick survival rates, Vermont loon chicks do better than those in eastern Maine, New Hampshire and the Adirondack region, according to preliminary data from the Vermont Center for Ecostudies.
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” data-medium-file=”https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Loon-Population-Vermont-1-300×225.jpg” data-large-file=”https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Loon-Population-Vermont-1-1200×900.jpg?crop=1″ fifu-data-src=”https://i1.wp.com/vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Loon-Population-Vermont-1-scaled.jpg?ssl=1″ alt=”” class=”wp-image-625546″ srcset=”https://i1.wp.com/vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Loon-Population-Vermont-1-scaled.jpg?ssl=1 2560w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Loon-Population-Vermont-1-300×225.jpg 300w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Loon-Population-Vermont-1-1200×900.jpg?crop=1 1200w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Loon-Population-Vermont-1-125×94.jpg 125w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Loon-Population-Vermont-1-768×576.jpg 768w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Loon-Population-Vermont-1-1536×1152.jpg 1536w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Loon-Population-Vermont-1-2048×1536.jpg 2048w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Loon-Population-Vermont-1-800×600.jpg?crop=1 800w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Loon-Population-Vermont-1-600×450.jpg?crop=1 600w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Loon-Population-Vermont-1-400×300.jpg?crop=1 400w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Loon-Population-Vermont-1-200×150.jpg?crop=1 200w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Loon-Population-Vermont-1-1024×768.jpg 1024w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Loon-Population-Vermont-1-2000×1500.jpg 2000w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Loon-Population-Vermont-1-780×585.jpg 780w, https://vtdigger.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Loon-Population-Vermont-1-706×530.jpg 706w” sizes=”(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px”>Biologist Eloise Gerard and several volunteers placed signs on the Green River Reservoir in spring 2025. Photo by Fiona MacLean courtesy of the Vermont Center for EcoStudies
Since 1983, volunteers and biologists have been gathering on the third Saturday of July for LoonCount Day, a survey of adult and nesting loons in water bodies statewide. On July 19, Hanson said he expects more than 200 participants to visit 175 lakes in Vermont to tally the number of birds. These efforts are important for tracking loon health, nesting success and the identification of emerging threats, he said.
“We’re just trying to hit everything,” he said. “We’ve expanded that out as loons start to land on smaller ponds compared to what they used to do.”
In tandem with LoonCount Day, the Vermont Loon Conservation Project at the Vermont Center for Ecostudies organizes an annual loon monitoring program, during which volunteers take regular trips to lakes throughout the summer season to post signs in nesting areas and keep tabs on new and known nesting pairs.
Volunteers paddle to shoreline nesting sites to place signs to alert the public of loon habitats on the Green River Reservoir in spring 2025. Photo by Fiona MacLean courtesy of the Vermont Center for EcoStudies
The nesting signs respectfully ask boaters to give the loons a little space since they are highly territorial, especially during breeding season. If humans get within 10 feet of their nest and the birds feel it’s threatened, they’re more likely to abandon it, Hanson said.
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In attempts to curb disruptions along ecologically sensitive shorelines, Vermont passed one of the most protective statewide wake sport regulations in the country in April 2024. However, Hanson said kayakers and people fishing in boats close to the shore create more harm for loons than far-off wake boats.
Volunteers contribute to monitoring efforts for Vermont’s loons by placing signs along shoreline nesting sites at Green River Reservoir in spring 2025. Photo by Fiona MacLean courtesy of the Vermont Center for EcoStudies
“If we can give them that little bit of space, they’re more likely to hunker down and watch you go by,” he said.
In addition to shoreline disturbances, recreational fishing poses another serious threat to loon survival. After a period of decline, loon deaths due to lead poisoning from ingesting tackle have risen again over the past six years, Hanson said. Ingestion of lead tackle, monofilament fishing line and fishing hooks remains the cause of more than half of loon deaths in Vermont.
Vermont banned the use and sale of small lead sinkers in 2007, but despite the ban’s initial success, loons are still ingesting poisonous tackle, according to Hanson and Killborn. To address the issue, the Vermont Loon Conservation Project partnered with lake associations and the Fish & Wildlife Department last summer to install lead tackle and fishing line collection sites at around 30 public boat access sites, which they plan to add to this year.
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byEmma Cotton
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Responsible fishing, boating and recreation are vital to loon health and survival, Killborn and Hanson said. As Vermont’s loon population stabilizes, they emphasized that the next phase of conservation will depend on how well humans learn to share the landscape.
Either way, Killborn said loon numbers are increasing at a sustainable rate, and overpopulation is not yet an issue. “I’m not sure if we’ll ever get there, depending on conditions,” she said.
Powerball, Mega Millions jackpots: What to know in case you win
Here’s what to know in case you win the Powerball or Mega Millions jackpot.
Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
The Vermont Lottery offers several draw games for those willing to make a bet to win big.
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Those who want to play can enter the MegaBucks and Lucky for Life games as well as the national Powerball and Mega Millions games. Vermont also partners with New Hampshire and Maine for the Tri-State Lottery, which includes the Mega Bucks, Gimme 5 as well as the Pick 3 and Pick 4.
Drawings are held at regular days and times, check the end of this story to see the schedule.
Here’s a look at April 20, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Powerball numbers from April 20 drawing
09-17-36-47-64, Powerball: 26, Power Play: 3
Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.
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Winning Gimme 5 numbers from April 20 drawing
16-17-25-33-36
Check Gimme 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 3 numbers from April 20 drawing
Day: 0-5-8
Evening: 6-1-9
Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
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Winning Pick 4 numbers from April 20 drawing
Day: 7-8-3-4
Evening: 0-0-4-9
Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Megabucks Plus numbers from April 20 drawing
04-11-23-32-41, Megaball: 04
Check Megabucks Plus payouts and previous drawings here.
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Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize
For Vermont Lottery prizes up to $499, winners can claim their prize at any authorized Vermont Lottery retailer or at the Vermont Lottery Headquarters by presenting the signed winning ticket for validation. Prizes between $500 and $5,000 can be claimed at any M&T Bank location in Vermont during the Vermont Lottery Office’s business hours, which are 8a.m.-4p.m. Monday through Friday, except state holidays.
For prizes over $5,000, claims must be made in person at the Vermont Lottery headquarters. In addition to signing your ticket, you will need to bring a government-issued photo ID, and a completed claim form.
All prize claims must be submitted within one year of the drawing date. For more information on prize claims or to download a Vermont Lottery Claim Form, visit the Vermont Lottery’s FAQ page or contact their customer service line at (802) 479-5686.
Vermont Lottery Headquarters
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1311 US Route 302, Suite 100
Barre, VT
05641
When are the Vermont Lottery drawings held?
Powerball: 10:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
Mega Millions: 11 p.m. Tuesday and Friday.
Gimme 5: 6:55 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Lucky for Life: 10:38 p.m. daily.
Pick 3 Day: 1:10 p.m. daily.
Pick 4 Day: 1:10 p.m. daily.
Pick 3 Evening: 6:55 p.m. daily.
Pick 4 Evening: 6:55 p.m. daily.
Megabucks: 7:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
Millionaire for Life: 11:15 p.m. daily
What is Vermont Lottery Second Chance?
Vermont’s 2nd Chance lottery lets players enter eligible non-winning instant scratch tickets into a drawing to win cash and/or other prizes. Players must register through the state’s official Lottery website or app. The drawings are held quarterly or are part of an additional promotion, and are done at Pollard Banknote Limited in Winnipeg, MB, Canada.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Vermont editor. You can send feedback using this form.
ESSEX JUNCTION, Vt. (Aging Untold) — For 10 days, the Champlain Valley Fair, a county fair in Vermont, becomes its own little town with thousands of people, hot afternoons and the occasional emergency.
Charlene Phelps, 74, runs the fair’s emergency response team.
“We have a lot of seniors that come and people don’t drink enough water,” Phelps said.
The team handles sprains, bee stings, heat exhaustion and whatever comes through.
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“I like taking care of people, I like helping people,” Phelps said.
Living out a childhood dream
It’s also a childhood dream.
Phelps wanted to be a nurse, but college wasn’t possible, so she found another route into care and has been showing up year after year at the fair.
Aging Untold expert Amy O’Rourke said living out your purpose can improve mental and spiritual well-being.
“When you tap into that, you’re tapping in on a place that’s a risk, that’s a challenge that inevitably creates growth inside you, gives you confidence so that if you’re in another situation you can build on that,” O’Rourke said. “Or, if you’re in an everyday situation where you’re a little anxious, it’ll help create stabilization in that place as well.”
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Saving lives at the fair
Sometimes it’s bigger than a bandage.
“Over on there near the swings way over there is Gustovo, and we saved his life,” Phelps said.
Gustovo had gone into cardiac arrest at the fair a few years ago.
“I mean he was gone,” Phelps said.
Now he’s back and working the rides.
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“Came for my hug, Gustovo,” Phelps said.
O’Rourke said stories like this are also why some people keep working past retirement age. Purpose isn’t a number, it’s a role.
“I’ve seen a 92-year-old still working as a nurse’s aid. I’ve seen people in my neighborhood chilling out and loving it,” O’Rourke said. “So, I think it’s being really self-aware of what you need and making sure that you’re getting those needs met.”
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A plan by Gov. Phil Scott’s administration to make all of the state’s lottery games, including scratch-off tickets, available on a person’s phone never got off the ground at the Statehouse this year.
Lottery Commissioner Wendy Knight told lawmakers in January that the plan was a way to modernize the lottery “because you need to keep pace with technology — you need to meet your players where they are.”
Fifteen states have created a “digital” lottery system, and many have discovered there’s a distinct market of people who don’t buy lottery tickets at retail outlets but will do so on their phones, according to Knight. “We’re trying to ensure the future of the Vermont Lottery, ” the commissioner said.
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But state lawmakers have not been persuaded.
Vergennes Rep. Matt Birong, the Democratic chair of the House government operations committee, said members of the panel felt this year was not the time to move forward with this plan, especially given the recent legalization of sports betting.
“It is digitizing a current system and after moving forward with the sports wagering — people just wanted to take their time with it — so my committee decided to tap the brakes on further testimony.”
The administration estimated that the plan would have raised roughly $5 million a year for the state’s education fund after two years of implementation.
The prospect of that additional revenue is appealing to lawmakers, and Birong said they may reconsider the plan next year.
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Volunteers paddle to shoreline nesting sites to place signs to alert the public of loon habitats on the Green River Reservoir in spring 2025. Photo by Fiona MacLean courtesy of the Vermont Center for EcoStudies 100vw, 2560px”><figcaption class=)
Volunteers contribute to monitoring efforts for Vermont’s loons by placing signs along shoreline nesting sites at Green River Reservoir in spring 2025. Photo by Fiona MacLean courtesy of the Vermont Center for EcoStudies
