08/26/2006

Listening for loon-y tunes

Biologists monitor Common loons in the U.P.

By
Record-Eagle staff writer

SENEY — It was pitch dark, humid and wet from a just-passed thunderstorm when a wild and haunting yodel echoed across a quiet pond.

Then a splash, and the soft sounds of a paddle as a canoe returned to shore.

A research biologist walked up to a rural track at Seney National Wildlife, a large bundle of feather cradled in his arms.

"He's still big. I think he's one of the biggest males on the refuge. We're really fond of this bird. We've been watching him so long," said Joe Kaplan, with the nonprofit Common Coast Research and Conservation group.

Kaplan kneeled down on the road before a small pallet and gently placed North America's oldest observed Common loon on its back, a towel covering the bird's head, red eyes and heavy, dark bill.

A team of three research biologists worked quickly, taking feather samples and drawing blood for later mercury testing. The weigh-in was at 5,050 grams, or a bit more than 11 pounds.

The bill was measured and a new silver identifying ankle band was attached.

"It's been 10 years since we've handled him," said biologist Damon McCormick.

Kaplan collected the loon in his arms again, its sharp beak pinching at his skin. He walked into the pond and set the bird back into the water, from where it paddled back to a hidden nest and awaiting family.

"I don't really like handling them," Kaplan said. "It makes me nervous."

The bird — known as ABJ — was among the first loon chicks banded at Seney in 1987 and has become a favored mascot for the program. The researchers study life cycles and mercury exposure to loons at the refuge and other Upper Peninsula locations, such as Isle Royale National Park and Ottawa National Forest.

Record-Eagle/Sheri McWhirter
Biologist Joe Kaplan holds one of the oldest observed loons in North America.

The team has captured and banded 160 loons over the years at Seney, of which 97 percent annually return in the spring. Elaborate and detailed life histories of the studied birds account for 360 cumulative years of observation, McCormick said, including a chance to dispel certain loon mythology.

"Loons do not mate for life, and Seney was the first place to unequivocally prove that," he said.

Evidence showed loons will sometimes evict their mates to take up with other birds, even closely related loons, like their own offspring. Those nests are not always successful, research showed.

Common loons are no longer common in Michigan and are listed as a threatened species here, with about 300 nesting pairs. The population is sensitive to mercury contamination and human activities and require undisturbed areas for breeding.

Common loons are the most primitive of living birds, one of only five types of loons known in the world and the only one to nest south of tundra areas.

Loon chicks have the enchanting behavior of riding on their parents' backs for several weeks after hatching. Webbed feet and legs are at the far rear of loons, so they cannot walk on or fly from land.

However, they are expert swimmers and divers, able to spend upwards of five minutes underwater, catching fish and other aquatic creatures.

Loons are renowned for their strange, seemingly maniacal calls and yodels, as well as bizarre splashing behaviors on lakes and ponds. They can live up to 50 or 60 years, Kaplan said.

A decade ago, the mercury test on ABJ came back at 19 parts per million and results from the latest blood sample will return this autumn.

"We're hoping to capture a lot of these adults and re-test them for mercury," Kaplan said after releasing the netted bird.