SURRY — With the annual loon count approaching, Ruth Sergeson says its subjects continue to be full of surprises.

The inveterate loon watcher and Maine Audubon Society volunteer starts observing the birds each year long before the loon count and Loon Ranger program she coordinates get under way. And each year, the loons do something new and inexplicable.

“It’s been an interesting year. Every time I think I know all there is to know, they confound me,” says Sergeson, who is known as the “Loon Lady.”

In many areas, loons have only recently begun nesting and hatching eggs, which is later than usual. And loons have not been as evident as usual on area lakes, except at night, when they’ve been heard “howling.”

Sergeson said she has been hearing two kinds of yodels this year, and suspects territorial fighting. She believes a spate of hot weather may have driven the birds from lakes to the coast for cooler water and more abundant fish.

At a saltwater nest she monitors on a sloping island, the eggs have been rolling away this year, leaving them vulnerable to high tides. With human assistance, the eggs repeatedly had to be returned to their original positions.

The loons later learned to imitate people digging hollows for the eggs, Sergeson said. Volunteers may place artificial nests in the area next year, to help ensure safer nesting.

This year’s loon count will be held on lakes and ponds throughout much of the state from 7 to 7:30 a.m. Saturday, July 16. Sponsored by Maine Audubon, the count attempts to document the bird’s reproductive success.

Maine Audubon is also working with the state to track all loon nest sites for help with siting landings or other types of development, and for special protection efforts.

In Hancock County, Sergeson will begin compiling loon count results after forms are returned in late July. When the Audubon-sponsored Maine Loon Project receives all the tally sheets from count coordinators, it will use the data to estimate the statewide loon population. The data will appear in the fall issue of the Loon News.

Sergeson said the recent rescue of a loon whose bill became snarled in fishing line at Bucksport’s Silver Lake has inspired many new people to volunteer for the annual count.

Now in its second year, the Loon Ranger program will use volunteers already familiar with nesting sites to monitor and safeguard them throughout the nesting season. Loon rangers try to clean up fishing line and other debris the birds might get caught in or swallow, and also report nest disturbances by boats and people.