Common Loon Common Loon
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Loon Migration Update: March 8, 2001

Today's Report Includes:

Comparing Migrations of Two Satellite-Tracked Loons
While we're waiting for the loons to begin their spring migration, there's time for some brainwork using loon biologist Kevin Kenow's newest data. In 1998, Kevin's work with radiomarked Loon #2539 gave the world the very first satellite telemetry data on loons. Now data from Loon #15746 is adding to what Kevin and his co-investigators learned. How do migrations of these two radiomarked loons compare?

Loon #2539
Fall 1998

Loon #15746
Fall 2000

See the maps above. What do you see? For example, Kevin observed, "The thing that surprised me about the movements of juvenile Loon #15746 is that once it moved onto the Gulf Coast of Florida, it moved well away from the coast and continued to drift south. I expected the bird to settle into a fairly localized area nearer the coast." Look at the maps to see what Kevin means. Then do some calculations and comparisons of your own. We've got it all set up for you on this Web page:

Fill in the chart for that lesson and then come back and answer:

Challenge Question #3:
"What is the average distance traveled per day by Loon #2539? Loon #15746?"

(To respond to this question, please follow the instructions below.)

Fantastic Flyer
How fast did Loon #15746 fly? That's what Kevin Kenow wondered. After he received locations for a couple of intervals as the loon departed Lake Michigan, Kevin found out. "With a few assumptions about take-off location and accuracy of the fixes, I was able to calculate the flight speed of the bird." Now it's your turn to try! Kevin sent the information below to help you get the answers to:

Challenge Question #4:
"What was Loon #15746's approximate speed on the first leg of the trip? The second leg of the trip? The full trip?"

Trip Began Ended Time Distance
(km)		 Speed
(kph)		 Distance
(mi)		 Speed
(mph)
1st Leg 12:40 15:38   325.47   202.24  
2nd Leg 15:38 18:07   211.48   131.41  
Full Trip 12:40 18:07   536.95   333.65  

(To respond to this question, please follow the instructions below.)

Auf Wiedersehen, Loon #15746

Radiomarked Juvenile Common Loon
Photo Courtesy K.P. Kenow, USGS

Auf Wiedersehen is German for "See you again." Why didn't we say "See you back in March when the ice goes off your lake?" The battery for Loon #15746's transmitter is no longer sending, but with a little research, you will be able to send us the answer to:

Challenge Question #5:
"How do we know juvenile Loon #15746 won't come back this spring?"

(To respond to this question, please follow the instructions below.)

Why the Ocean?
The data for Loon #15746 show that it was on a lake near Gainesville, Florida on 23-26 November. Then it went to the ocean. After thinking about it, you might be wondering:

Challenge Question #6:
"Why don't loons winter on southern lakes that have plenty of fish and no frozen water?"

(To respond to this question, please follow the instructions below.)

Teacher Tip
Interested students can read more about this loon migration study on the USGS Web site:

Try This! Loon Legends and Lore
What do you notice about the loon in this photo? Do you wonder how it got that "necklace" of feathers? Why it has red eyes? You're not the only one who wonders! Storytellers have long created wonderful legends to explain these things and more. You're invited to write your own legends to explain some incredible-but-true facts about loons! You learned some facts about loons in this report. For more loon facts and writing tips, don't miss:

Start Watching for Loons!

Report your First Loon to Journey North

In many places, this is a good time to start watching for loons. First make sure you know what to look and listen for. Swimming cormorants and mergansers look a LOT like loons, especially in poor light. You'll see what we mean when you check out Journey North's Loon ID page at:

Then go out to open lakes to look and listen for these swimming birds. Remember to report your sightings to Journey North!

You're the Scientist: Discussion of Challenge Question #1
Last time we asked, "Based on the data and map, how would you describe the winter range of Loon #15746?"

Kevin Kenow

Jimmy, Fred, Sheu, and Joe from Iselin Middle School looked closely at the map and data. These 7th graders said," Loon #15746 likes to stay in the southern area of Florida for its winter range. Here, the weather is warm and the water is warm. It looks like it wants to stay near the coast. According to the map, this loon began near Jacksonville, Florida on November 23, 2000. It has moved every two days and on February 10 it reached the southern tip of Florida." (Good topic sentence, guys!)

Loon biologist Kevin Kenow learned something, too. He expected the bird to settle into a fairly localized area nearer the coast. He was surprised by the fact that the loon was so far out into the ocean, especially since loons are generally considered to use coastal areas.

How far from the coast did Loon #15746 go? We did some calculations and found that this loon's distance from the coast ranged from about 5.25 miles (8.45 kilometers) to about 63.5 miles (102.20 kilometers)!

Kevin looked at some bathymetry data for the Florida coast. At first he said, "The locations of the marked loon generally occur in 20-30 feet of water (certainly no more than 60 feet depth)." After a later review of the bathymetry data, Kevin found this: "It appears that this bird has been in water depths of 20 feet-120 feet." He also suspects the loon's movements may be influenced by currents and food availability. "Other researchers have documented loons feeding near upwellings, where currents meet and forage fish can be abundant." You can see that much still remains for scientists to learn about a loon on its wintering home range!

Freshwater to Saltwater: Discussion of Challenge Question #2

Loon Salt Glands
Photo: Judith McIntyre in The Common Loon, Spirit of Northern Lakes

"How do loons adapt to salt water?"

Hooray for Iselin Middle School 7th graders Dana, Lori, Christian, and Richard! They did some research, and here's their answer: "The Loon eats fish. It has to go into the salt water to get the fish. They have salt glands in between their eyes. Even very young chicks have the ability to remove salt if they consume salty fish."

The photo on the right shows a loon skull with the salt glands between the eyes. The skull on the left shows the depression where the salt glands were removed. Dr. Judith McIntyre, an authority on the Common Loon, found that "even young chicks, no more than two weeks old, are competent to remove salt if they are fed saline (salty) solutions."

How to Respond to Today's Challenge Questions:

IMPORTANT: Answer only ONE question in each e-mail message.

1. Address an e-mail message to: jn-challenge-loon@learner.org
2. In the Subject Line of your message write: Challenge Question #3 (or #4 or #5 or #6).
3. In the body of your message, give your answer to ONE question.

The Next Loon Migration Update Will be Posted on March 22, 2001

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