Distribution and foraging patterns of common loons on Lake Michigan with implications for exposure to avian botulism: Data

Implantable satellite transmitters (e.g., Model PTT-100, Microwave Telemetry, Inc) were incorporated into the study to provide fine-resolution location data for a sample of the adult male common loons fitted with geolocator tags in 2010 and 2011. Transmitters were implanted in the abdominal cavity following procedures developed by Korschgen et al. (1996). The satellite transmitters were programmed to transmit on a variable schedule based on the anticipated stage of migration during the loon’s annual cycle - 8 hours on:72 hours off during the breeding season, 8 hours on:24 hours off while migrating, 6 to 8 hours on:96 hours off on the wintering grounds, and 8 hours on:24 hours off during spring migration, and 8 hours on:96 hours off [...]