Winter distribution of the common loon (gavia immer) and red-throated loon (gavia stellata) in the Bay of Fundy

Abstract

Common loons (Gavia immer) and Red-throated loons (Gavia stellata) are shown to overwinter along the coastal zone of the Bay of Fundy. The Christmas Bird Count, a volunteer monitoring survey, was used to trace 30 year trends in Common loon population distribution and abundance. The population of Common loons along the Nova Scotia shore appeared stable though variable while the New Brunswick population appeared to be increasing. There is an indication that the change in numbers reflects a true increase in abundance of over wintering Common loons within the Bay of Fundy and not simply a change in distribution.