Ripples from the Reservoir: Circles of life resume

June 13, 2025  |  By Sheila Goss

A loon flaps its wings on the water at the reservoir. Photo by Sheila Goss

In the iconic “Lion King” song, Elton John sings, “It's the circle of life, and it moves us all, through despair and hope.”

This spring on the Waterbury Reservoir, rain-resilient anglers, paddlers, boaters, and campers have seen signs of the reservoir coming to life after a bleak winter. Yes, the sunshine has been sparse, but the wildlife and birds have not let that interfere with their own “circles of life.” 

The geese and ducks are now proudly parading their young across marshes and wetlands, the phoebes are nesting in the kiosks, and wondrously, we now have a documented eagle nest on the reservoir! I am the monitor of the nest for the Vermont Audubon Eagle Project, and we may soon, if not already, have our own Waterbury-bred eaglets. We ask that anyone who encounters eagle activity around the nest to please give the birds their space, as they work to feed and protect their young.

One of the nesting eagles at the reservoir flies towards its nest. Photo by Sheila Goss

A mother Canada Goose and goslings along the Waterbury Reservoir. Photo by Sheila Goss

Our loons have yet to nest, as they did last in 2023. The floods have created great challenges for the loons and other wildlife, especially since loons must nest near the water’s edge. Loons’ anatomy and leg position mean they cannot walk well on land as they are built for swimming and diving. 

Fluctuating water levels impede nest success, so for the past few years, we have built and installed floating raft nests. If the loons choose to nest on the raft, there is a greater chance the nest and any eggs will survive high water events. 

State Park Ranger Patrick Vooris secures the new flotation on the loon nest. Photo by Sheila Goss

Eloise Girard and Eric Hanson "landscape" the loon nest before it's put in place. Photo by Sheila Goss

This May, Eloise Girard and Eric Hanson of the Vermont Center for Ecostudies assisted us in rebuilding our raft, which had floated quite a way down the reservoir during the 2024 flood. Helped greatly by Vermont State Park Rangers Ben Foltin and Patrick Vooris and Francine Chittenden of the Friends of Waterbury Reservoir, we were able to add flotation to the raft, re-foliate it with loon-friendly plants, and securely position it in an area where the loons like to hang out and where they previously had eggs in a nest. 

Of course, then we had another high-water event, but the raft stayed in place (though the signs warning paddlers to stay away are a bit askew).

Well, the pair of loons that were hanging out near us as we built the raft have not yet used it for its intended purpose. In fact, recently, only a solitary loon has been seen swimming and fishing in that area. Was this pair the victim of a tragic event?

Last week, the rangers, the Vermont Center for Ecostudies and Friends of Waterbury Reservoir received reports of a loon swimming with an obviously broken wing, and with a fellow loon seen nearby. The rangers and friends volunteers were in regular communication with the Vermont Center for Ecostudies about possibly rescuing this loon. 

State Park Ranger Ben Foltin helps get the raft back to its desired location. Photo by Sheila Goss

However, catching a loon in a large body of open water is nearly impossible, especially if the loon can dive. Once observers indicated that the loon was no longer able to dive, plans were set in motion to recover the loon for transport to the Vermont Institute of Natural Sciences Wild Bird Rehabilitation Center, where its condition and fate could be determined. 

But nature can be cruel, and the loon was later found deceased in the water. The loon was transported to VINS, where its broken right wing was obvious; the bird also had other injuries, but we will not know its specific cause of death until a necropsy is done later this summer. Loons can die from illness, boat strikes, or fights with other loons, and it will be interesting to find out more about this sad event. 

So, was this one of the pair we hoped to nest? We have no way of knowing. 

Earlier this month, we released a loon at the reservoir that had inadvertently crash-landed on Stowe Mountain Golf Course. After capture from a small drainage pond on the course, Vermont Center for Ecostudies and friends volunteers took the bird to the reservoir as it is the nearest large body of water that can support a number of loons.  That bird took off in a hurry and seemed to appreciate the fishing opportunities in the reservoir. 

So how many loons are regulars on the reservoir now? Based on my observations, as well as those of the floating rangers who cover much more area in their boat than I do in my canoe, it appears we carry 3-5 different birds. 

Keep your fingers and webbed feet crossed that a pair will enjoy the accommodation we prepared for them and will establish a successful nest. Human disturbance is a cause for nest failure, so if you see loons engaged in nesting activities, please keep your distance and observe all our wonderful wildlife from a respectful distance.

Keep dry, and stay safe out there!