The Morro Bay Winter Loon Study Welcome
In 2004, the Morro Coast Audubon Society (MCAS) joined the Biodiversity Research Institute (BRI) in collecting data on the health of common loons on the Morro estuary. BRI is conducting a comprehensive ecotoxicology study in North America and has gathered over 50,000 data points since 1995.
While the common loon is a fascinating species, it is increasingly evident that the pressures it faces are also affecting humans. When we study a species, whether it is the common loon, the great white shark or the San Joaquin kit fox, we ultimately study man's affect on that animal and its habitat. We also come closer to understanding that species’ affect on us. Man is part of "wildlife ecology".
There is no "good" or "bad" data. It is our concern and obligation to collect data in a logical and reproducible manner. From the principal investigator to a survey volunteer, each participant of the Winter Loon Study considers a decision tree. Choices range from "do-nothing" to "study every individual".
The common loon once bred in the state of California, as far south as Lake Tahoe and Lassen County. The closest breeding territory is now along the Canadian-Washington and Canadian-Montana border, 700 miles north. What can I practically do to help better understand this situation?
We propose to collect data from approximately 25 birds per year, including genetic, plumage progression, toxicology, weights and measurements and habitat use. We believe that this sample of the overall population will give us a window into the life cycle and pressures that the common loon faces. We hope that this will in turn give us a better understanding of ourselves and our, shared habitat.
Henry Pontarelli
Winter Loon Study, November, 2006
