The compilation of loon sightings below were collected by Journey North students and submitted by loon biologist David Evers. Evers followed the migration on the Internet this year, while preparing for his field research. He's now in Paradise, Michigan on the western shore of Whitefish Bay. He's busily answering your questions this week, with help from Terry Daulton of LoonWatch. Watch for their posting within a few days.
Loon Sightings Reported:
Date Location March 26 Elk River, Minnesota April 2 Montpelier, Vermont April 5 Elk River, Minnesota April 5 Wayzata, Minnesota April 10 Seney, Michigan (Upper Peninsula) April 9 Mt. Lake, Minnesota April 10 Branched Oak, Nebraska April 7 Youngston, Ohio April 7 Gill, Massachusetts April 5 Finger Lakes, New York April 6 Wilson, New York April 5 Chicago, Illinois April 2 Cedar Rapids, Iowa March 26 Cedar Rapids, Iowa March 22 Minneapolis, Minnesota March 26 Minneapolis, Minnesota March 31 DuPage County, Illinois April 2 DuPage County, Illinois April 1 Madison, Wisconsin March 31 Clinton County, Michigan March 26 Clinton County, Michigan March 27 Minneapolis, Minnesota March 28 Cedar Bluffs, Iowa March 25 Cedar Bluffs, Iowa March 24 Madison, Wisconsin April 9 Wayland, New York April 11 Bowdoinham, Maine April 11 Chicago, Illinois April 14 Lincoln, Maine (Penobscot River) April 11 Dakota County, Nebraska April 13 Stearns County, Minnesota April 17 Stearns County, Minnesota April 17 Chisago County, Minnesota
March 24 Was walking at Lake Mendota in Madison, Wisconsin and was thinking about this project. A loon yodeled about 10 yds off shore. They were in town on March 24 this year, 1 day after ice-off.
April 6 We saw the first loon on April 6th and saw a pair on the 9th. We have seen lots of mature bald eagles hunting the Abbacadassett River. Spring is definitely here! We have been sighting loons on the coast of Maine and on the Cathance River in Bowdoinham. David Galin, Fifth/Sixth Grade T Bowdoinham, Maine. dgalin@bruin.bowdoin.edu
April 9 I was picking up my dog from my grandpa's house in Wayland, New York (43 N, 77 W), which is about a hour south of Rochester. My grandpa was looking at something in the Loon Lake, a small lake in Wayland. He was curious and wondered what it was. I looked and noticed it was a loon. It was coming to shore to get some food. It was black with white spots on its back. Dan Pratt, Sherman School, Henrietta NY
April 13 4-13-95- 4 loons, 11am, sunny; Clearwater Lake, Stearns Co., MN. 4-17-95 2 loons, 4pm, raining, Kraemer Lake, Stearns Co. MN No bands observed. George Frederickson Apollo High School St. Cloud, Minnesota 0742ahs@Informns.k12.mn.us
April 14 Every year I spot my first loon at the same site as I drive to work. Today, two showed up. These loons appear annually below a bridge I travel over. The Penobscot River (Lincoln, Maine) has opened from ice a bit earlier this year. The lakes are still frozen and the loons seem to wait in the river till their pond opens. Other years at the same location were noted on 4/17, 3/30/89, 4/8/92. An eagle that had constructed a new nest last year, just above my loon sighting area, is perching locally, as of a week and a half ago. Peter Fisher pfisher@saturn.caps.maine.edu
April 17 Sighted on South Lindstrom Lake, Chisago County, Minnesota on April 17th. Weather: Overcast, no precipitation, 45 degrees F, No bands observed. 0138nbsh@InforMNs.K12.mn.us The loon was diving, emerging, swimming approximately 20-30 yards and drifting with waves, also avoiding boat traffic.
May 4 Of note this week, there are large numbers of water birds still being seen on Lake Superior, which are being attracted to the smelt run. Literally hundreds of HORNED GREBES are present along with a few RED-NECKED GREBES, COMMON LOONS, and a wide variety of ducks. Duluth, Minnesota/North Shore Hotline David M. Homzik homzi001@MAROON.TC.UMN.EDU
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