Between 0730 and 0840, 87 Common Loons flew over our deck watch in north
central Elgin County for the largest flight to date of this year's
migration and the 4th largest single day count in the last 15 years.
The loons are migrating between eastern Lake Erie and southern Lake
Huron. A line drawn between the tip of Long Point on Lake Erie and Kettle
Point on Lake Huron passes almost directly over our place. The loons that
pass over our place are flying from the southeast to the northwest. If you
live north of Lake Ontario the loons passing over your place to Lake
Simcoe or Georgian Bay will likely be flying almost due north.
The peak of the flight occurred between 0750 and 0755 when 3 groups of 13,
13, and 11 loons passed over in short order. Otherwise we saw singles and
small groups of up to 4 loons. Ross Snider, who was watching at the same
time from his deck in Ingersoll, some 10 km to the northeast of us, called
at 0815 to say that he had counted 40 or so loons up to that point. The
distance between our watches, the flight path of the loons and the number
of birds involved indicates that a large and widespread migration took
place this morning.
Our first sighting of the year occurred on April 14, a few days later than
average, and since then we have had daily counts of 1 to 19 birds. The
peak flights usually occur between April 20 and April 28 though last year
we had counts into the 50s up to May 10. The peak period on any given day
for us at the moment is between 0745 and 0800 but this will get earlier as
the season progresses. Peak times at your location will differ depending
on how far north of the lake you live.
Dave Martin, Linda Wladarski, Ross Snider
Harrietsville and Ingersoll, ON
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
