Right now, along the Atlantic and Pacific seaboards and in the Gulf of Mexico, loons are making a critical switchover. Since early spring, they have been living in lakes and rivers, drinking freshwater and eating freshwater fish. But the moment they plunge into the ocean for the winter, they must suddenly survive drinking saltwater and eating salty fish. If their bodies don't adapt quickly, they will die. Fortunately, they have a salt gland between their eyes that takes all the extra salt out of their blood.
Loons come to the oceans from all over Canada and the northern states.
That's because the farther west of the Atlantic a loon lives, the smaller it is. Wings are about the same size on each. Rather, these track towards Asia. How You Can Help Track Spring's Journey North Copyright 1998 Journey North. All Rights Reserved.