Loon Zoom: Loon Wintering Ecology and the Significance of the Jocassee Gorges Region
A loon wintering away from the Adirondacks.
For many Adirondack lake lovers, loons feel inseparable from summer mornings and misty northern waters. But what happens after the last haunting calls fade in autumn? Loon Zoom #4, a virtual education event presented by the Adirondack Center for Loon Conservation (ACLC), explores the lesser-known half of the loon’s annual journey—where loons go, how they survive the winter, and why distant landscapes play a critical role in the health of Adirondack loon populations.
This timely program dives into emerging research on loon wintering ecology and migration, with a special focus on an unexpected but vital region far from the Adirondacks.
About the Adirondack Center for Loon Conservation.
The Adirondack Center for Loon Conservation is dedicated to protecting loons and the freshwater ecosystems they depend on throughout the Adirondack Park.
Yodeling loon in the Adirondacks.
Through research, monitoring, education, and advocacy, ACLC works with lake communities, volunteers, and partner organizations to safeguard nesting sites, reduce human-caused threats, and ensure healthy lakes for generations to come.
The Loon Zoom series is a cornerstone of ACLC’s educational mission, connecting Adirondack audiences with cutting-edge loon research from across North America.
What happens when loons leave Adirondack lakes for the winter?
While decades of research have helped scientists better understand loon breeding behavior and nesting needs, the non-breeding season remains far less understood.
This Loon Zoom focuses on this critical knowledge gap, examining what researchers are learning about loons during winter and migration—periods when loons face very different environmental pressures.
The presentation will be led by Jay Mager, PhD, a behavior ecologist and professor of biological sciences at Ohio Northern University. Mager will share insights from ongoing research into loons that overwinter in, and migrate through, the Jocassee Gorges region of South Carolina.
Recognized by National Geographic as one of the “100 Last Great Places on Earth,” Jocassee Gorges provides a unique ecological setting that supports loons far from their northern breeding lakes.
South Carolina matters to Adirondack loons.
At first glance, South Carolina may seem worlds away from the Adirondacks. Yet many loons that breed on Adirondack lakes spend their winters along southern coasts or pass through key inland regions during migration.
Preening loon.
Conditions in these areas—water quality, food availability, human disturbance, and climate impacts—directly influence whether loons return north healthy enough to breed.
By studying loons in the Jocassee Gorges region, scientists are uncovering how non-breeding habitats affect survival rates and long-term population trends. For Adirondack residents, paddlers, anglers, and lake associations, this research underscores an important truth: loon conservation doesn’t stop at the shoreline when summer ends.
What attendees will learn.
This Loon Zoom explores:
How loon behavior and habitat needs change outside the breeding season
What scientists are learning about overwintering and migrating loons
Why inland and coastal southern regions are essential to loon survival
How year-round conservation connects Adirondack lakes to distant ecosystems
The program offers valuable context for anyone interested in loon protection, lake ecology, and the interconnected nature of conservation across state lines.
event details at a glance
Event: Loon Zoom #4: Loon Wintering Ecology and the Significance of the Jocassee Gorges Region
Format: Virtual presentation
Cost: $10 per session
Registration: Online in advance
Loon Zooms are fully virtual. Access links will be emailed to registrants the day before the presentation. A recording will be sent to all registered participants the day after the event, allowing you to watch at your convenience.
Why Adirondack readers should attend.
Understanding where Adirondack loons go—and what challenges they face when they leave—adds an essential layer to local conservation efforts. This presentation offers a rare look at the full annual cycle of loons and highlights why protecting Adirondack lakes also means caring about habitats hundreds of miles away.
For more information and to register, visit the ACLC’s website.
And for more information about Loons, be sure to visit the Adirondack Center for Loon Conservation in Saranac Lake.
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Loons on ADK Talks Podcast
The Adirondack Center for Loon Conservation is one of the most popular guests on the ADK Talks podcast. Listen to their most recent appearance and find us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts.
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