Our beautiful state bird has returned to Minnesota. According to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, at least six of the 29 loons have returned to their breeding lake as of April 11. During the last two years the DNR has placed satellite telemetry devices in loons in an effort to study their migratory movements and foraging patterns while migrating. “This is a very exciting time in science exploration,” said Carrol Henderson, supervisor of the DNR’s Nongame Wildlife Program. “We have been able to learn more about our fabulous state bird than we have ever known before.” Most of the loons part of the research project left Minnesota in October and spent about a month on Lake Michigan before heading to the Gulf of Mexico in early December. “Before using the technology of these devices, scientists had no idea that most Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan loons ‘stage’ on Lake Michigan together before flying south to the gulf,” Henderson said. Satellite transmitters send signals about every other day, allowing researchers to see where the loons are during their travels. Donations to the Nongame Wildlife fund on Minnesota tax forms have helped fund this project, as well as funding from the Minnesota Natural Resource’s Trust Fund.
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