Record high numbers of Red-throated Loons have been found at Duluth for the fourth time in the last four days. A previous posting announced the total of 174 found by Mike Hendrickson, Jan & Larry Kraemer, and Peder Svingen at Park Point on Sunday (5 May). Two days later on Tuesday afternoon (7 May), Jan & Larry Kraemer and Peder Svingen counted 287 Red-throated Loons at Park Point between the 12th Street access and Sky Harbor Airport. This morning (8 May), Karl Bardon tallied a remarkably similar total of 288 at Park Point and this afternoon, Mike Hendrickson, Jan & Larry Kraemer, and Peder Svingen teamed up to count no fewer than 355 Red-throated Loons at Duluth! During each of these surveys, we carefully excluded birds counted from previous locations as we proceeded along Park Point from Canal Park to the Sky Harbor Airport. Counts were done from Canal Park, 12th St access, 22nd St access, 31st St (Lafayette Square), 43rd St access, and the beach near Sky Harbor Airport. Our highest single point counts were 196 Red-throated Loons at 22nd St (5/8) and 169 at Lafayette Square (5/7), but high numbers have also been recorded at 43rd St and from the dunes near the airport. When multiple observers were present, we took turns recording data as the other members of our party carefully identified and counted each loon. It should be noted that at each stop there were several thousand unidentifiable birds visible far out on the lake and some were undoubtedly Red-throated Loons. It would not be surprising to find much higher numbers if we surveyed western Lake Superior by boat or by airplane (MOU members may recall that boat and airplane surveys of Common Loons at Lakes Winnibigoshish and Mille Lacs were conducted with results comparable to shore-based surveys, but Lake Superior is a whole new ball game -- maybe we can get a grant to survey western Lake Superior using a drone…). Why are record high numbers of Red-throated Loons being found this spring? We suspect that a confluence of factors has created a "perfect storm" at Duluth. The long, cold winter has kept large lakes to our north frozen much later than normal (ice-out dates in NE Minnesota are predicted to be among the latest ever recorded). As a result, loons and other waterbirds are staging on western Lake Superior for extended periods of time instead of stopping by for just a few days. Conditions for viewing birds on Lake Superior have been near perfect for each of the last four days with calm or very light winds, still, sky-blue waters, cool temperatures with minimal heat distortion, and very few fishing boats out on the lake. Afternoon surveys have the advantage of better lighting, though Karl's morning survey today under overcast conditions produced several additional species of interest (all 3 scoter species, Long-tailed Duck, Eared Grebe, and Western Grebe). Up to 3 Western Grebes were still visible from the Rose Garden / Lief Erikson Park area this afternoon and a male Ruddy Duck and 3 White-winged Scoters were found on the bayside of Park Point. There may never be a better time and place to see so many Red-throated Loons in Minnesota at once! -- Peder H. Svingen Duluth, MN [log in to unmask]