Umbagog Refugewildlife
At Umbagog National Wildlife Refuge, the timing for wildlife comes in 2 separate phases, each its own display, neither a peak: Common loons nesting, Nesting season begins in May and may continue well into July; and Most loon chicks hatch, most chicks hatching in late June and early July. Its usual window for this year has passed.
- May–JulyCommon loons nestingNesting season begins in May and may continue well into July
- June–JulyMost loon chicks hatchmost chicks hatching in late June and early July
Next 7 days at Umbagog Refuge
- TodayMostly Cloudy68° / 46°2% rain
- ThuPatchy Fog then Mostly Sunny75° / 56°28% rain
- FriRain Showers69° / 39°78% rain
- SatSunny60° / 30°2% rain
- SunPartly Sunny61° / 34°38% rain
- MonChance Rain Showers54° / 27°37% rain
- TueMostly Sunny48° / 27°11% rain
Heads up: Freezing night (low 27°F): Saturday Night, Sunday Night, Monday Night, Tuesday Night.
Today: sunrise 6:41 a.m., sunset 6:28 p.m., light until 6:58 p.m. · moon waning gibbous, 78% lit (our calculation)
Your guide to the area
Where to watch
- Umbagog Lake covesMany of the lake's coves hold their own territorial loon pair, with islands and marshy areas favored for nests; active nests are often marked with signs and float lines that boats must not cross
- Magalloway RiverPart of the refuge's loon monitoring territories along with the Androscoggin; the 1.38-mile Magalloway River Trail is also one of the places to look for northern forest birds
Nearby
- Morton Refuge276 mi3 separate phases, from between mid-March and early AprilSatChance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny
- Wertheim Refuge296 mi2 separate phases, from in the spring and summer months (March – September)SatSlight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny
- Target Rock Refuge297 miin the spring and summer months (March – September)SatSlight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny
- Fire Island308 mi2 separate phases, from from March to SeptemberSatSlight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny
- Forsythe Refuge411 mi4 separate phases, from in spring (March, April, and May)SatChance Rain Showers then Mostly Cloudy
- Cape May Refuge444 mi2 separate phases, from June, July, and August is the time when our feathered families are raised and fledgedSatChance Rain Showers then Mostly Cloudy
The year at Umbagog Refuge
- Breeding bald eagles at Umbagog Lake: nest building in March, incubating from early April (2009 refuge plan)Mar–Apr
- Common loons nesting, May into JulyMay–Jul
- Most loon chicks hatch, late June and early JulyJun–Jul
Questions people ask
When is the best time to see wildlife at Umbagog National Wildlife Refuge?
In 2 separate phases, each at its own spot: Common loons nesting, Nesting season begins in May and may continue well into July and Most loon chicks hatch, most chicks hatching in late June and early July. They're separate displays, not one long season, and neither is a peak.
Is it the season at Umbagog National Wildlife Refuge right now?
Not now: its usual wildlife window for this year has passed. Next time: Common loons nesting, Nesting season begins in May and may continue well into July.
Can I paddle or boat near the loons?
Yes, but stay outside the float lines. The refuge often protects active loon nests with signs and float lines that keep boats away, and asks everyone to respect them and never cross over.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Umbagog NWR: Species ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Can I camp on the lake?
Only with a reservation. The shoreline campsites are run by the State of New Hampshire (NH State Parks takes the bookings), so please don't call the refuge to reserve.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Umbagog NWR: Camping ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Where else can I look for northern birds?
Along Route 16 between Errol and the refuge headquarters, Greenough Pond Road near Long Pond and Bear Brook Pond, Mollidgewock Road, Mountain Pond Road and the Magalloway River Trail. Canada jays, boreal chickadees and spruce grouse are among the boreal species here.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Umbagog NWR: Species ↗ (opens in a new tab)
When is the refuge office open?
Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., all year (closed on federal holidays), at 2756 Dam Road in Errol, New Hampshire.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Umbagog NWR: Visit Us ↗ (opens in a new tab)
How big is the lake?
More than 7 miles long and over 7,000 acres, one of the largest lakes on the New Hampshire–Maine border, but only about 15 feet deep on average.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Umbagog NWR: Visit Us ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Where are the best spots in Umbagog National Wildlife Refuge?
Umbagog Lake coves: many of the lake's coves hold their own territorial loon pair, with islands and marshy areas favored for nests; active nests are often marked with signs and float lines that boats must not cross; Magalloway River: part of the refuge's loon monitoring territories along with the Androscoggin; the 1.38-mile Magalloway River Trail is also one of the places to look for northern forest birds.
What is Umbagog National Wildlife Refuge like through the year?
Common loons nesting, May into July (May–Jul), Most loon chicks hatch, late June and early July (Jun–Jul) and Breeding bald eagles at Umbagog Lake: nest building in March, incubating from early April (2009 refuge plan) (Mar–Apr).
How we know · Sources (6)
How we know
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Umbagog NWR: Species (opens in a new tab) (Sep 30) · U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Umbagog NWR: Camping (opens in a new tab) (Sep 30) · U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Umbagog NWR: Visit Us (opens in a new tab) (Sep 30) · U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Umbagog NWR: Trails (opens in a new tab) (Sep 30) · U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Lake Umbagog NWR Comprehensive Conservation Plan (2009) (opens in a new tab) (Sep 30) · National Weather Service forecast and alerts (opens in a new tab) (Sep 30)