In 1995, RRBO took over the coordination of an informal spring Common Loon migration survey that was started at Metro Beach Metropark in Macomb Co. in 1992. Metro Beach lies along the western shore of Lake St. Clair beween Lakes Huron and Erie. RRBO standardized the count methods to try and better understand the migration of Common Loons in the lower Great Lakes. Loon per 10 hrs. Thus, the Common Loons observed at Metro Beach are clearly migrating.
Loons have an apparent strong preference for flying into head winds.
Weather conditions were recorded daily beginning in 1995. Thus, even though nearly half of all loons will migrate during this 6-day window, the vast majority of them will only fly into a head wind. UM-D Home Rouge River Bird Observatory Natural Areas Dept.