John Latimer’s presentation on phenology (when are things happening in nature?) was entertaining and insightful. We learned about plants, insects, birds, and other animals from his 40+ year passion for recording what he observed as a mail carrier in northern Minnesota, and later as Staff Phenologist at NPR Northern Community Radio. We also heard about the network of teachers and students who have joined him in giving phenology reports on Tuesday mornings on the radio station.
One example from the presentation: John reported that most every year, ice out on the lake and the return of the loons coincide. He informed us that loons bond to the nest, not to each other. One year, a female came back without the male. She called and called, trying to attract a mate. When she got no response, she left. The next year she came back, and this time a male responded to her calls. Now there is a new pair bonded to that nest. John told us about a research project he participated in where transmitters were installed in 15 juvenile loons, but only one survived. That loon lived at least until the transmitter died, two years later. From its data they learned that the juveniles, who migrate after the adults, at least some of the time take entirely different routes to the Gulf of Mexico. This particular juvenile eventually settled for nesting season 200 miles north of where he was raised.