Scientists say loons have been around for at least 20 million years, making them the oldest and most primitive living bird. They've spent most of that time in the water or in the air because they can hardly walk. Loons' 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. To gain enough speed to fly they have to run across the water, beating their wings and paddling with their feet. There are stories of loons landing on wet pavement which they've mistaken for deep water. Once on the ground they were stranded, unable to take off again!
These facts lead to many unanswered questions about their migration. What course do they take? Do they risk travelling across expansive areas where there's no water to rest? Most loons spend the winter on the Atlantic, Gulf or Pacific coasts of North America. They return to nest on inland lakes in April or May each spring. Males arrive within a few days of ice out and females follow a few days or a week later.
Several students have volunteered to share their research about loons with Journey North. Watch for their postings soon. If you know any legends about loons, or have stories of your own, please share them with us.
When you see your FIRST loon this spring, fill out the form below from LoonWatch and send it to us at: jn_loon@informns.k12.mn.us ******************************************************* Invitation to Help LoonWatch
From Terry Daulton, LoonWatch Coordinator Sigurd Olson Environmental Institute of Northland College Ashland, Wisconsin.
"LoonWatch is an education and research program that works to protect loons and their nesting lakes in Wisconsin and Minnesota. Other states and provinces in North America that have nesting loons also have programs like LoonWatch. (See listing below.) In Wisconsin and Minnesota, LoonWatch has over 750 volunteers who record data on loon nesting and chick production. We have fairly good data on about where loons nest and how healthy loon populations are, but we have very little data on loon migration.
"LoonWatch is very excited to be a part of Journey North. LoonWatch is a part of the Sigurd Olson Environmental Institute of Northland College in Ashland, Wisconsin. Our college is located near the shores of Lake Superior and specializes in environmental programs.
"We are hoping that you can help us to track loons as they migrate from the oceans to their inland nesting lakes. We would like you to visit lakes in your area and look for loons. They are a large water bird (8-12 pounds) which frequently dive underwater. They are bigger than ducks but smaller than geese. They have striking black and white plumage and RED eyes. You may want to go to your library and check out a book on loons or look at the picture on the Journey North poster.
"The following data sheet will help you to record your loon sightings. Also, please look for colored leg bands on loons you may see. These can be seen when the loon is flying, diving, or putting its foot out of the water (the "foot waggle"). The bands help us identify individuals along their migratory path and upon return to their nesting lakes. If you see the colored bands, record the color combinations (i.e. blue over red) and whether the bands are on the loon's left or right leg.
"Thank you so much for your help. If you would like more information on loons and our LoonWatch program please write to us at: LoonWatch, Sigurd Olson Environmental Institude, Northland College, Ashland, WI 54806. If you or your family are interested in volunteering as a "Loon Ranger" please let us know. Each summer we collect data on loons in Wisconsin and Minnesota and we need your help."
LOON OBSERVATION DATA SHEET Your Name: Address: Date of Sighting: Time: Weather: Lake Name: County: State/Province: Number of Loons:
Describe what the loons were doing (their behaviors):
Did you observe leg bands? Yes___ No ___ If yes, please fill in the following: Loons' right leg colors ____ over ____ Loons' left leg colors ____ over ____
Send to: jn_loon@informns.k12.mn.us ****************************************************** CHALLENGE QUESTION From Maine 4-H Students: Hello - Here in Waldo County loons spent the entire winter in Belfast Harbor (44.25 N, 69.00 W) The harbor did not freeze over this winter due to unusually mild conditions. Our harbor is fed by the Passagassawaukeag River.... any idea what that means? Send your guess to: janehc@umce.umext.maine.edu
******************************************************** Loon Protection Organizations in North America:
Common Loon Protection Project Maine Audubon Society 118 Old Route 1 Flamouth, Maine 04105
Loon Preservation Committee Audubon Socity of New Hampshire RR 4, Box 240 E Meredith, New Hampshire
Loon Survey Project Vermont Institute of Natural Science Woodstock, Vermont 05091
Loon Project Audubon Society of New York Hollyhock Hollow Sanctuary Rte 2, Box 131 Selkirk, New York 12158
Oikos Research Foundation Syracuse University at Utica Utica, New York 13502
Loon Lake Loon Association P.O. Box 75 Loon Lake, Washington 99148
Canadian Lakes Loon Survey Long Point Bird Observatory PO Box 160 Port Rowan, Ontario Canada N0E 1M0
Michigan Loon Preservation Assoc. 6011 West St. Joseph Highway Suite 403, PO Box 80527 Lansing, Michigan 48908
Montana Loon Project 411 W. Bush Libby, Montana 54806
Alaska Loon Watch Alaska Dept. of Fish and Game 333 Raspberry Road Anchorage, Alaska 99502
Muskoka Loon Alliance Box 3434 Granvenhurst, Ontario Canada P0C 1G0
Gatineau Fish & Game Club Box 550 Maniwaki Q C Canada J9E 3K6
Copyright 1995, Journey North. All Rights Reserved.