Red-throated Loon - 04 Apr 2026

Yesterday Dan Steakly reported a Red-throated Loon (Gavia stellata) off the Lake Erie shoreline from Cell 2 at Pt. Mouillee SGA in s. Monroe Co. This morning I looked at the weather map and heavy rain was forecasted during the morning hours so I deferred a trip. After returning from lunch, though, the skies were partly sunny and a mild 70ºF, and Justin Labadie just posted that the RTLO was seen at the junction of Cells 1 and 2. I packed the bike and headed out.

Parking at Mouillee Creek I rode out the Middle Causeway to the north end of Cell 3 where I ran into Adam Byrne and Phil Chu. The loon was still showing nicely close to shore so I continued south along the shoreline to look for it. I stopped at the junction of Cells 1 - 2 and started scoping the lake. Winds were causing a chop on the water so ducks were difficult to find and distant. Red-breasted Mergansers, Bufflehead, Horned Grebes, Common Goldeneye and Double-crested Cormorants were seen, but no Red-throated Loon.

Brian Beauchene arrived a few minutes later and helped me scope the lake. We spent better part of 20 minutes looking for the loon but could not find it. With Brian having to leave we made a last scan of the lake and he finally spotted it farther north near the shoreline. We got looks at it through the scope then packed up; Brian had to head out so I decided to ride back north along Cell 2 to see if I could get close enough for some pics.

The pale gray Red-throated Loon was difficult to relocate. I'd ride several hundred yards, scan the lake for several minutes, finally spot it, then ride another few hundred yards to look for it again. After about a quarter mile ride north along Cell 2 I finally was able to see it without the need for binoculars or scope. The Red-throated Loon was calmly floating about 50 yards from shore and close enough to get some pics with the Sony a1+200-600mm lens. The slender, slighty upturned bill and lack of collar band helped to distinguish it from the heavier-looking Common Loon.

Red-throated Loon is a nice find here in the spring. Normally a maritime bird it winters mostly along the coasts (I saw several during my recent trip to SC). A few are spotted in the Great Lake during migration so I was thrilled to see one in Monroe Co.

Satisfied I turned my attention northward to see if any other birds were showing close to shore. Horned Grebes were seen in good numbers today with several on Lake Erie and more in Cell 4.

Bufflehead were also swimming in small rafts near shore so it was nice to get a few pics before they flew away.

A Red-breasted Merganser took off from my left in Cell 4 as I walked the dike out to the opening of the port.

As I returned to the bike I noticed the skies to the SW getting really dark. Shower bands were also seen to the south but it looked to be heading this way so I figured I better get on my way. I still wanted to ride around to the North Causeway before heading back to the car.

As I reached the small dike leading into Cell 4 I spotted several more Horned Grebes close to shore, 

One Horned Grebe was swimming along the rocky shoreline of the dike and nicely illuminated by the overhead Sun while backlit with dark skies, so I rode out onto the dike to get some photos before continuing on.

Winds were starting to pick up so I headed north, stopping only to get some pics of American White Pelicans roosting on the rocky shallows at the north end of Cell 4.

I figured I better forego a ride around Cell 5 so I headed directly along the west side of the Banana Unit to the North Causeway and west back to the dike separating Vermet and Long Pond Units. Along the way I spotted a Northern Harrier but it had no intention of allowing me to catch up to it no matter how fast I pushed the ebike.

I got back to the Mouillee Creek parking lot just as the first rain drops hit the car. I managed to get the gear and the bike back in the car and the door closed just as the skies opened up. I'd drive home in a heavy downpour and learn that tornado sirens had gone off in Brownstown. The rain all-but stopped by the time I reached the driveway.

Incidentally, a Mute Swan cull was performed at Pt. Mou yesterday; I still counted about 50 birds during my rides past Humphries and Vermet Units.

Pte. Mouillee SGA (permit required Sep 1-Dec 31), Monroe, Michigan, US
Apr 4, 2026 1:36 PM - 3:41 PM
Protocol: Traveling
6.77 mile(s)
Checklist Comments:     Cloudy, 50F. Breezy. Downpour/storms arrived as I quit!
39 species (+1 other taxa)

Canada Goose (Branta canadensis)  46
Mute Swan (Cygnus olor)  65     Cull occurred yesterday here?
Blue-winged Teal (Spatula discors)  2
Northern Shoveler (Spatula clypeata)  4
Gadwall (Mareca strepera)  5
American Wigeon (Mareca americana)  7
Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos)  36
Green-winged Teal (Anas crecca)  6
Canvasback (Aythya valisineria)  8
Redhead (Aythya americana)  5
Ring-necked Duck (Aythya collaris)  24
Greater Scaup (Aythya marila)  34
Lesser Scaup (Aythya affinis)  65
Greater/Lesser Scaup (Aythya marila/affinis)  250
Bufflehead (Bucephala albeola)  45
Common Goldeneye (Bucephala clangula)  18
Common Merganser (Mergus merganser)  12
Red-breasted Merganser (Mergus serrator)  26
American Coot (Fulica americana)  260
Sandhill Crane (Antigone canadensis)  1
Killdeer (Charadrius vociferus)  3
Bonaparte's Gull (Chroicocephalus philadelphia)  2
Ring-billed Gull (Larus delawarensis)  9
American Herring Gull (Larus smithsonianus)  12
Horned Grebe (Podiceps auritus)  19
Red-throated Loon (Gavia stellata)  1     50yds out from shore on Lake Erie opposite Cell 2. Continuing from yesterday. Pics. Upturned bill and white throat, no neck band. Still in basic plumage.
Double-crested Cormorant (Nannopterum auritum)  12
Great Egret (Ardea alba)  1
Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias)  1
American White Pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos)  125     Continuing in Humphries Unit and Cell 4. Count by 2s then 10s.
Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura)  1
Osprey (Pandion haliaetus)  1
Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus)  1
Belted Kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon)  1
Tree Swallow (Tachycineta bicolor)  1
American Robin (Turdus migratorius)  1
American Tree Sparrow (Spizelloides arborea)  2
Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia)  6
Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus)  125
Common Grackle (Quiscalus quiscula)  12

View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S316971261

This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (https://ebird.org/home)