Wildlife

Arlington Pond is home to abundant wildlife.  Loons, eagles, great blue herons, different varieties of ducks and turtles are often in the water.  Beaver, red and silver fox, coyote, and deer are frequently seen in the area.  Moose and bear have been occasionally spotted.  This is a testament to the water quality of Arlington Pond and hospitable environment that surrounds it.  Fisherman catch trout, bass, pickerel, and sunfish.

Geese

APPA has supported efforts to minimize the number of Canadian Geese that nest on Arlington Pond.  While these are majestic birds, they cause significant damage to lawns when they eat and by what they leave behind.  Residents are encouraged to put up barriers on lake-front grassy areas.  APPA has funded Geese-Away deterrent lights at strategic spots around the lake.  These lights don’t harm the geese in any way, they just create an inhospitable environment, so the geese move on.

Loons

Loons are frequently seen on Arlington Pond and their call can be heard on misty mornings.  This year, barriers were erected to protect the nesting area.  Loons are a threatened species in New Hampshire and are protected by federal law.  The public needs to keep a minimum of 150 feet away from loons and nests, and boaters seen harassing loons may be subject to fines.  Those who fish are asked to use lead-free equipment, as ingesting lead is the biggest threat to the loon population.

Bald Eagles

There is nothing that matches the thrill of watching a bald eagle soar over Arlington pond, and we have been fortunate to see this happening more and more often.  The population growth has been substantial to the point where they are no longer listed as endangered species, but they continue to remain protected by federal law.  Any person who takes or kills a bald eagle, nest or eggs is subject to substantial fines. 

Chinese Mystery Snails

The Chinese Mystery Snail are an invasive species and are very hard to control. We are asking all Arlington Pond residents to pick up and dispose of Chinese Mystery Snails (Cipangopaludina chinensis malleatus) if you encounter them. They cannot be chemically controlled because they are able to open and close the flap on their shell. You can find out more information on the Chinese Mystery Snail on the following websites: 

Info on snails on The Maine Invasion
Wikipedia Entry