As loons return to the lakes across North America, they're lucky to be met with the enthusiasm of people like Mrs. Helmer of Grand Rapids, Michigan:
April 4
"I saw them today! A pair of loons and a solitary male (we think)
are here. And, even more exciting, I heard them - for the first time
in my nearly twelve years on this lake. Every spring and fall we
see them for a week or two - they must just stop by - but I have
never heard them talk. I was thrilled to hear them today. The
sound they make is unforgettable and so distinct from other "voices"
we hear on this lake. I know the loons no longer nest here. The
longtime residents tell stories about many decades ago when the
loons did nest here. I am certain that boating traffic has, sadly,
scared them off. I wonder - do they travel in groups as they
migrate?" Mrs. Helmer and the Kids, Reporting from Camp Lake
15 miles north of Grand Rapids, Michigan.
CieHelmer@aol.com
To hear two loons calling, CLICK HERE (375K pc.wav) .
With so many reports of migrating loons we've been wondering about them too:
* Do loons travel at night or during the day?
* How fast do they travel and do they stop for food?
* Are there noticeably fewer loons on the wintering grounds in Florida now that the migration is underway? Is their behavior different as they prepare to migrate?
Here are a comments from loon biologist Dave Evers :
"Loons are strong flyers and can travel fast. Their average sustainable speed is 60 mph! Loons are diurnal migrants, meaning they migrate during the day. They do stop along the way. These spots are called staging areas. In the Great Lakes for example, flocks of loons migrating north gather in the same area, maybe because the area has calm waters. They probably do not spend too much time eating. Most loons probably build their fat reserves up during the winter to make the long flight. Their migration does take alot of energy since they spend a lot of time feeding when returning to their summer home.
"Loons breed across a large area of North America (northern U.S. north to the Arctic Circle - or so). Depending on where they breed, loons from some areas migrate before others. For instance, spring migration begins in mid-March for loons nesting in the southern Great Lakes, U.S. Rocky Mountains, and New England. Some are on their breeding territories by mid-March. Many times loons migrate to an area, but their lake is not open yet. So, they may stay nearby on a lake or river that has open water. Many times the loon establishes HIS territory the very day that some of the ice melts off the lake and provides open water.
"I think the various latitudinal populations have a cue from day length more than anything else. Loons tend to arrive in southwestern Michigan at the same time each year, no matter what the weather is like or the ice conditions. They use the Great Lakes if interior lakes are iced in.
"On the wintering grounds in Florida, Pete has noticed more restlessness and movement of loons. He hasn't seen changes in numbers yet, and maybe he won't since he is viewing the tip of the iceberg. By the way, our satellite transmitter study is still a possibility this spring, but it depends on logistics and the trial loon. I'm hoping to get a definitive word from Pete that the loon has returned to normal behaviors. I haven't given up yet!"
As you read the comments from observers below, you'll notice a new species of loon is mentioned, the red-throated loon. This loon's breeding plumage is rarely seen in southern latitudes because it is acquired just before the loons leave for their nesting grounds. Red- throated loons are the smallest loon species, weighing only about 4 pounds. In contrast, common loons weigh about 10 pounds. What do you know about red-throated loons?
Challenge Question # 79
"Where do red-throated loons nest? Why might they stage along the Atlantic Coast at this time of year?"
(To respond to this Challenge Question, please follow the directions at the end of this report.)
The Following Migration Sightings Collected by the Volunteers of the National Birding Hotline Cooperative and Journey North:
From ILLINOIS:
March 23, 1996
In Sangamon County (near Springfield) a COMMON LOON was at Lake Springfield
on March 23 and one was at Sangchris (SE of Springfield) March 25.
From NEW HAMPSHIRE:
March 30, 1996
Great Bay (West of Portsmouth) had a COMMON LOON.
From MAINE:
March 31, 1996
8 COMMON LOONS and an adult BALD EAGLE were on the Bar Island Bar in
Bar Harbor on 03/31.
From MARYLAND:
March 31, 1996
Waterfowl and winter finches, among other things, continue to move through
the area. Sunday, March 31st at Loch Raven Resevoir (North of Baltimore)
there were up to nine COMMON LOONS.
The weekend trip from Cape Henlopen to Deal Island(SE shore of Chesapeake
Bay) turned up 104 species for the weekend, including RED-THROATED LOONS
From ILLINOIS:
March 31, & April 4, 1996
From DuPage County:
At Mallard Lake (W of Chicago) - A COMMON LOON were found on Sunday and
Monday. A LOON was relocated on Thursday.
From ILLINOIS:
April 2,1996
On Lake Springfield (South of Springfield) were five to six COMMON LOONS.
From NEBRASKA:
April 3, 1996
In Sarpy County on the 3rd, 5 COMMON LOONS were seen at the Offutt
Base Lake (South of Omaha).
From ILLINOIS:
April 3, 1996
At Montrose Beach (North Chicago on Lake Michigan) a COMMON LOON.
From NEW JERSEY:
April 4, 1996
"It is about peak for staging RED-THROATED LOONS, something we look
forward to each late winter / early spring. They gather in the
Delaware Bay in terrific numbers each spring before migrating north.
It's always fun to watch them begin to change from winter plumage
into breeding plumage. 55+ were in the waters around the Concrete
Ship along on April 4 and several hundred more flew when small boats
went by offshore."
Cape May Bird Observatory Staff
The Cape May Bird Observatory is a research and education
unit of the New Jersey Audubon Society.
From ONTARIO:
April 4, 1996
COMMON LOONS were seen in Burlington (near Hamilton).
From KANSAS:
April 4 & 5, 1996
Pottawatomie County:
A RED-THROATED LOON first found by Guy Smith at Pottawatomie
County Lake #2 on April 4, was seen again by Cable on Friday, April
5th. Pottawatomie Lake #2 is just a few miles northeast of
Manhattan. Also present on this lake was 1 COMMON LOON in breeding
plumage and 14 species of ducks.
From MASSACHUSETTS:
April 5, 1996
At Lake Nagog in Acton (NW of Boston) there were 9 COMMON LOONS.
From RHODE ISLAND:
April 5, 1996
On Moonstone Beach, South County: Both RED-THROATED and COMMON LOON.
From OHIO:
April 5 & 7, 1996
Northeast Ohio
COMMON LOONS were abundant at LaDue Reservoir with 31 counted on the 5th
and more than 50 seen there on the 7th.
From IOWA:
April 8, 1996
COMMON LOONS were reported this week from most large water areas.
From MAINE:
April 9, 1996
The ice went out on Chine Lake and Webber Pond. Loons were seen on both on
China Lake and Webber Pond. We can see Webber Pond from our class room. We
don't now about 3-mile Pond. The longitude is 44 North 68 and a half West.
From Katie, Mike and Dan Waterville Public Schools
Vassalboro, Maine Susan_Haines@vcs.fc.wtvl.k12.me.us
How to Respond to Challenge Question # 79
1. Address an e-mail message to: jn-challenge@learner.org
2. In the Subject Line of your message write: Challenge Question #79.
3. In the Body of your message, answer this question:
"Where do red-throated loons nest? Why might they stage along the Atlantic Coast at this time of year?"
The Next Common Loon Migration Update Will be Posted on April 18, 1996.
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