Loons are hard to capture, especially on the wintering grounds. Little is known about the route loons take from Florida to their breeding lakes, so if the scientists succeed we'll be able to watch this migration as it happens, for the first time. According to Evers, Florida's coasts represent one of the most important wintering areas for Common Loons in the U.S. Loons wintering in Florida and the southeastern US face a variety of threats. Surveys of beached birds along Florida's coasts have found more dead loons than all other seabird species combined. Although some is due to natural causes, elevated mercury levels may be increasing mortality.
Mercury can be toxic, or poisonous, to loons.
It can also interfere with reproduction. One purpose of Ever's research is to gather information about mercury levels in loons. Mercury pollution enters the atmosphere from such sources as garbage incinerators and the burning of coal. To respond to this Challenge Question please follow the instructions at the end of this report. By March 28 last year, migrating loons had already been spotted in 10 states and 1 province.