Common Loon Migration Study

Common loons often migrate several hundred miles to reach coastal waters during fall migration. Information about this part of the loon's life history is not well known.

The use of satellite telemetry allows biologists to track loon movements through distant migrations and during winter. A transmitter attached to a radiomarked loon periodically sends a signal which is detected by a satellite-based receiver; the data is downloaded to a earth-based receiving station. The data is interpreted by wildlife biologists and other specialists.