A Common Loon Requires Help During Migration

The following story about a common loon was submitted by the Wildlife Rehabilitation Center of Northern Utah.

Common loon migration to their wintering grounds typically begins in September and goes through November. Utah is a stopover site for many individuals heading to the Pacific Coast and Gulf of California.

This common loon was found stranded in a field at the end of September 2021 and brought to our facility in Ogden, Utah.

At intake she weighed 3,200 grams (about 7 pounds), with a body condition score of 2. The patient did not have any injuries other than some abrasions to her feet due to being grounded. We started her on EmerAid IC Carnivore fed three times per day.

She was released three days later at a reservoir about 20 miles south of her pickup location. Several common loons were seen in this location the day before.