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PARTNERING LOON ORGANIZATIONS
Winter Loon Research
This is the ninth year researching Common Loons on Lake Jocassee, the first ever study of loons in winter in a freshwater environment. By studying Common Loons in a pristine environment, scientists can better understand the factors that influence their health and survival in the winter. Although loons typically winter in marine environments along coastlines, some now use freshwater reservoirs. 100+ loons winter each year on Lake Jocassee. Wintering in freshwater lakes in the southeast is relatively new in the life history of loons. The building of large fresh water reservoirs in the southeast started with the Tennessee Valley Authority in the 1930’s. Lake Jocassee is one of the newest reservoirs in the region, completed in 1973. It is not known exactly when loons starting using these reservoirs as stay-over locations and there is simply no reference to it in the scientific literature before this century. Sponsored by Earthwatch Institute for the first 3 years, Jocassee Wild Outdoor Education and Jocassee Lake Tours are now the hosts and guides for this research. This will be Dr. Jay Mager's 9th year as lead investigator.
Spring Loon Migration Research
After five years of study of the winter behavior of Common Loons
on Lake Jocassee - the first ever study of Common Loons in winter
in a freshwater habitat - the research expanded in 2022 to the study of loons in spring migration. This will be our fourth year of studying spring Loon migration. Lake Jocassee is a significant stop-over lake for loons on their way from the northern Gulf of Mexico to their summer breeding lakes in the upper mid-west and Canadian reaches farther north. It is not uncommon to witness hundreds of loons depart en masse at first light and is surely one of the grandest natural history phenomena to observe in this part of the world. Dr. Jim Paruk, who led the first three years of winter research on Lake Jocassee, is the lead investigator for this important work.
Lake Jocassee
Lake Jocassee is a pristine mountain lake situated in the heart of the Jocassee Gorges in the mountains of Upstate South Carolina, a region National Geographic declared as one of the 50 last great wild places on earth. Lake Jocassee is a wilderness reservoir, with four mountain rivers and dozens of creeks that empty into it. There are multiple waterfalls that cascade into the lake. Many Bald Eagles populate the lake, and other waterbird species - including hundreds of Horned Grebes - are common on the lake in winter. At approximately 9000 acres and 90 miles of shoreline, it is a relatively small reservoir, making it ideal for the study of loons. In most any weather conditions loons can be located and studied with relative ease. The approachability of the loons on Lake Jocassee is always a surprise to new volunteers and researchers. It is not unusual for loons to be calmly going about their daily business within a boat length or two of the observers. Most all the research is conducted from the boats. During the one week period scheduled for the 2024 session, expect to witness molting, preening and bathing behaviors, group foraging - including the ‘herding’ of schools of small forage fish - and departure behaviors as loons prepare for and begin to leave the lake in March. The results of the research will be used to raise awareness about the importance of reservoirs as habitat for loons and other waterbirds, and how to best monitor and manage them.
                                                                                     
IMMERSION
In both research weeks expect total immersion into the lives of loons. Our days are spent observing and studying loons, our evenings spent discussing the day and enjoying talks by Dr. Mager, Dr. Paruk, and on some evenings talks by zoom with some of the country’s leading loon conservationists and researchers.
Daily Life in the Field - Winter Research
When you arrive, the researchers will conduct an orientation
and brief you on the work you’ll be doing. Field work will
begin on the second day, where you will be involved with
daytime loon behavior observations, including the use of
photography and videography to record individual and group
loon behaviors and quantify the molting sequence and
pattern.. In the evenings, you’ll head back to the field station
for dinner, an informal talk by Dr. Mager, and time to relax.
Nighttime capture and banding of loons will be attempted at
least one of the nights, weather permitting.
Daily Life in the Field - Spring Research
We are truly looking forward to having you join us for this unique
migratory experience, as witnessing the departure of hundreds of
loons from Lake Jocassee on some mornings is surely one of the
most unrecognized natural wonders of the Blue Ridge Escarpment
region. Field days for this experience will be distinctly different than the Winter Research days. We will depart the dock between 6 and 6:20am (approximately one hour before local sunrise) to travel
across the lake and position ourselves to watch loons departing from the lake (which occurs between approximately 30 minutes before sunrise and 9am). However, weather conditions can of course affect daily timing. After most loons have left, we'll spend another hour or so assessing the activity of the remaining loons, then head in for a two-hour break/siesta/lunch. We'll return to the lake around noon to watch for incoming loons and/or do a loon count at various locations on the lake; this will last approximately 3-4 hours. During most evenings, we'll head back to the field station for dinner, an informal talk by Dr. Paruk, and time to relax.
DATES:
Winter Research: March 2 - March 8, 2025
Spring Research: March 23 - March 29, 2025
COST:
Winter Session $1950 Includes lodging and all meals. $500 deposit required
Spring Migration $1950 Includes lodging and all meals. $500 deposit required.
COST FOR LOCAL COMMUTERS: $1250 per session includes evening meals. $500 deposit required.
RESERVATIONS: There are only 12 spots per session available for volunteers, so early registration is highly recommended. Please call (864) 280-5501 to reserve your spot.
CANCELLATIONS: Cancellations up to January 15th will be fully refunded. All reservations are final after January 15th.
Acommodations Volunteers will be staying together in 2 or 3 bedroom villas at Devils Fork State Park. These clean and comfortable villas are fully furnished and include linens, all kitchen appliances, basic cooking and eating utensils, heat, air conditioning, fireplace, microwave, satellite television, complimentary wi-fi, automatic coffee maker, screened porch, charcoal grill and picnic table. Volunteer Duties The living circumstance is communal, and all meals are shared. Volunteers are expected to help with basic housekeeping. Dinner will be prepared for you. Breakfast and lunch items will be available for do-it-yourself preparation. Transportation The Greenville-Spartanburg Airport (GSP) is the point of arrival and departure for those arriving by plane. All transportation to and from GSP is provided at no extra cost. Explore GSP 
Meet the Investigators and Guides |
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FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Brooks Wade
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
(864) 973-1264
