Loon Mountain’s Hidden Haven
BY ANNA MATTSON
Loon Mountain is covered in a crisp white blanket of snow in March. Clear lines cut through the slopes, carving out ski paths for visitors to the resort. But if you veer off the beaten path, you’ll stumble on one of New Hampshire’s hidden gems—a makeshift bird sanctuary. It’s not much, just a sign indicating a place to feed wild chickadees and nuthatches.
Even if this little sanctuary is makeshift, every small effort helps. In 2019, a landmark report from Cornell University showed that America’s birds are in crisis—2.9 billion birds have been lost in the United States and Canada since 1970. And data from the State of the Birds’ 2022 report shows that more than half of U.S. bird species are declining in almost every habitat, from forests to grasslands.
But the cluster of hills that make up The White Mountain range are noted as some of the state’s most “Important Bird Areas,” providing critical habitat to birds at some stage of their annual cycle—whether it be breeding, migration or wintertime.
The National Audubon Society has mapped over 2,700 Important Bird Areas across the U.S., from Alaska’s Arctic Slope to tiny coastal refuges in Texas, covering 417 million acres of public and private lands in the United States.
Big or small, bird sanctuaries are important. They’re safe havens where animals can live, nest, and thrive without worrying about human disturbances or habitat loss. These places provide food, water, and shelter for all kinds of birds, including migratory and endangered species, like those in the Northeast.
And the good news? You don’t need acres of land or millions of dollars to make a difference. A few simple changes at home—planting native flowers, setting up a feeder, or even placing decals on windows—can turn a backyard, balcony, or garden into a miniature bird sanctuary.
But until then, you can always stop by places like this one on Loon Mountain. Chickadees and nuthatches will happily snack on whatever’s in your trail mix—sunflower seeds, peanuts, walnuts, or pecans. If you extend a sunflower seed-ladened hand, a small little ball of bird might land right in your palm. Stay quiet and stand still. See what happens.
