New Hampshire’s LPC Loon Cam nest reached one of the biggest moments of the season on May 22 when the female loon settled into the nest bowl and laid her first egg.
The egg stayed out of sight beneath her, but the moment was unmistakable. Her body lowered. Her posture changed. The stillness around the nest seemed to gather into one small, important shift.
There was no need for a clear glimpse of the shell.
After days of nest visits, pair bonding, and careful preparation, the first egg of the season was finally there.
See the moment the first egg arrived at New Hampshire’s LPC Loon Cam nest on May 22.
First Egg Arrives at New Hampshire’s LPC Loon Cam Nest
The first egg arrived at New Hampshire’s LPC Loon Cam nest on May 22, marking a major milestone for the pair and the nesting season ahead.
Watch Live <— loon nest cam
The female remained low beneath the curved shelter, pressed close into the nesting material as the misty lake stretched around her. Because the nest bowl is deep, the egg could not be seen once it was laid. Instead, the story came through her behavior: the effort, the pause, and the careful way she stayed settled over the nest.
For Common Loons, this is where the season changes.
The platform is no longer only a prepared nest. It is now an active one, holding the beginning of what the pair will spend the coming weeks protecting.
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Why the First Egg Is Only the Beginning
The first egg is a turning point, but it does not usually start the full incubation countdown. After laying her first egg, the female loon may leave the nest for a day or two to rest and recover. During that time, she or her mate may return for brief visits to check the egg, turn it, and make sure the nest remains safe.
That pause is normal.
The nest may look still between visits, but the season is already moving into its next stage. The first egg is present, and the adults are beginning the careful rhythm that leads toward full incubation.
The Second Egg Could Start the 28-Day Countdown
The next major milestone at New Hampshire’s LPC Loon Cam nest will likely be the arrival of a second egg. Once the second egg is laid, the pair should begin steady incubation. For Common Loons, the hatch window is typically around 28 days after full incubation begins, which makes the second egg the likely starting point for the countdown toward hatch. Until then, the first egg remains tucked in the nest bowl while the female recovers and the pair makes short, purposeful visits. The nest may appear calm, but its story has already turned a page.
A Small Hidden Egg Changes Everything
The most meaningful part of this first egg moment was how little needed to be seen. Instead of a bright reveal from beneath the loon, there was no clear view of the shell.
Even so, the moment was still clear: the mother loon settled low in the nest, the mist over the lake, and the quiet proof of what had happened.
In the end, one precious egg, tucked out of sight, changed everything.
New Hampshire’s LPC Loon Cam nest has its first egg of the season.
Now the nest waits for the second.
This live cam is provided by the loon preservation committee.
FAQ
When did New Hampshire’s LPC Loon Cam nest get its first egg of the season?
New Hampshire’s LPC Loon Cam nest got its first egg of the season on May 22, 2026.
Why can’t the egg be seen in the video?
The deep nest bowl hides the egg beneath the loon and the surrounding nesting material.
What happens after a loon lays the first egg?
After laying the first egg, the female loon may leave the nest for a day or two to rest and recover. During that time, either adult may return briefly to turn the egg and check on its safety.
When does full incubation begin for loons?
Full incubation usually begins after the loons lay the second egg.
How long does it take Common Loon eggs to hatch?
Common Loon eggs typically hatch after about 28 days of incubation. Usually, the countdown begins when the loons start full incubation after the second egg arrives.
