Date: November 14, 2023

Time: 6:00 p.m.

Location: Landrum Library

Speakers: Brooks Wade, of Jocassee Lake Tours and Dr. Jay Mager, Professor of Biological & Allied Health Sciences at Ohio Northern University

The Common Loon is one of the most studied birds on the planet, but most of the research has been on their summer breeding behavior while they raise their young, but who knows what they do in winter? We do! For six years, we have watched and recorded the behavior of these enigmatic birds on Lake Jocassee. It is the first ever study of loons in winter in a freshwater environment. Loons have spent most of their natural history wintering in marine environments and only within the last 100 years or so have they begun to winter on lakes such as Jocassee. This year, the study has been expanded to include loon migration in spring, when loons use Lake Jocassee as a significant stop-over lake. Both research projects will be the topic of discussion.

Brooks Wade is the co-founder, along with his wife Kay, of Jocassee Lake Tours and Jocassee Wild Outdoor Education. Brooks is the host, guide and co-investigator for the Jocassee research. It is Brooks’ passion for loons and his awareness of the unique opportunity for research on Lake Jocassee that brought the attention of the scientific community to Lake Jocassee.

Dr. Jay Mager is a professor at Ohio Northern University where he teaches courses in ecology, ornithology, and animal behavior. He is also a book review editor for the American Ornithological Society. Jay’s life of loonacy began as a young boy spending his summers in northern Ontario, and he is fortunate to have worked with many individuals and mentors who share his interests in loon biology and conservation. Jay has studied loon communication and breeding behavior on breeding lakes in the United States and Canada, and has participated in this study of wintering loons on Lake Jocassee for the past three years. He has always been fascinated by these charismatic birds, and has spent most of his life learning more about the ecological and behavioral requirements necessary for loon survival and reproductive success.

The Landrum Library Speaker Series programs are made possible thanks to our partnership with the Spartanburg County Public Libraries.

Contact Pam Torlina, [email protected], with questions or for more information.