Scientists say loons have been around for at least 20 million years, making them the oldest and most primitive living bird. Since loons can hardly walk, they've spent most of that time in the water or in the air. Their feet are set way back on their bodies - perfect for paddling but wobbly for walking. Loons can't take flight without a long water runway so they're never found on small lakes or streams. They must run across the water beating their wings and paddling their feet to gain enough speed to fly. There are stories of loons landing on wet pavement which they've mistaken for deep water and then being unable to take off again! These facts lead to many unanswered questions about their migration. What course do they take? Can they travel across regions where there's no water to rest?
This winter scientists hope to track loon migration with satellite telemetry for the first time ever. Students will receive news from the loons' wintering grounds in Florida as this research progresses. Depending on the scientists' success, we may have the thrill of watching their maiden flight. David Evers, the principle scientist on this team and a specialist in loon behavior, will interact regularly with students. He'll provide seven years' banding data for students to analyze, pose questions for them to consider, and challenge them to predict when the loons will migrate to their nesting grounds on northern lakes. Without revealing the secret to students, teachers might encourage them to track ice-out along with this migration!
© Journey North 1996