[mou] Record-high count of Common Loons on Mille Lacs

[Peder Svingen]

Anthony Hertzel and I conducted a 7 and 1/2 hour survey of Mille Lacs 
Lake on Wednesday (18 October). In spite of snow squalls, intermittent 
drizzle, and blustery northwest winds, we counted a total of 2,729 
Common Loons. This represents a new record-high count for Minnesota 
(2,511 were tallied at this same location 18 October 2000). The vast 
majority were along the north and west shores, including a flock of 
1,061 off Wealthwood. We also counted a total of 1,923 Bonaparte's 
Gulls.
Other highlights included a Red-throated Loon and a late Hudsonian 
Godwit along the north shore (Aitkin County), an adult Pacific Loon 
photographed on St. Albans Bay (Crow Wing County), and a late Common 
Tern at Isle (Mille Lacs County). Though not counted individually, 
numbers of Horned Grebes were estimated to be the highest since our 
surveys started there about 10 years ago.
--
Peder H. Svingen
Duluth, MN