Meet Dave Evers, a biologist who has studied loons for almost a decade. Over the next few weeks, Dave and a team of field scientists will begin a research study that's never been attempted before. For the first time ever, they will try to track loon migration by satellite telemetry.
Dave is excited about this winter's field work because, if he can successfully track loon migration by satellite, he will learn more in a few weeks about loon migration than he's learned in all his years through banding! You can imagine his excitement: It took him 7 years to band 900 loons, and only 25 bands have been returned.
As they head into the field, they're faced with numerous challenges.
* Will they be able to capture a loon on the wintering grounds?
Loons are usually captured during the nesting season. At that
time, it's less difficult to approach and capture the loon
because the loon is protecting its young. In contrast, on the
wintering grounds loons spend their time in the ocean!
See if you can answer CHALLENGE QUESTION #8 below which asks:
"How do you think Dave will capture a loon?"
* Will the loon accept the transmitter?
This is a critical question in all telemetry studies. The
scientists do not want to harm the animal in any way. Nor do
they want the transmitter to interfere with normal behavior.
Also, it costs as much as $2,000 to track one bird by satellite.
Therefore, the scientists must proceed very carefully. During the
first stage of this study, note all the precautions they take.
Over the next months, Dave and his team will share their story with
you. Here's a message Dave sent yesterday:
To: Journey North
From: David Evers
Date: February 15, 1996
Dear Students,
We're now waiting for Barb Suto of the Suncoast Seabird Sanctuary
near Tampa Bay, Florida to call and let us know a healthy loon has
been found for the first stage of our satellite study. My field
assistant, Pete Reaman, is now in route and hopes to encourage our
Florida network's search.
Just as soon as we've captured the first loon we'll let you know!
I look forward to working with you all this spring.
Regards,
Dave Evers
Loon Biologist
BioDiversity, Inc.
CHALLENGE QUESTION # 8
How do you think Dave capture a loon?
How to Respond to this Journey North Challenge Question:
1. Address an e-mail message to: jn-challenge@learner.org
2. In the Subject Line of your message write: Challenge Question #8
3. In the body of the message, give your answer!
Classroom Activities
1. See if you can find the Suncoast Seabird Sanctuary on a map.
It's located near Indian Shores and Tampa Bay. This is where the
scientists are going to begin this project.
2. In a Field Guide, look find a map that shows where loons spend
the winter and where they breed. Why do you think they migrate?
(Begin the Life Cycle Sleuth Lesson found in the Teacher's
Manual.)
The Next Loon Migration Update Will be Posted on February 29, 1996
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