In the fall of 1998, researchers counted common loons (Gavia immer) weekly on lakes Winnibigoshish and Mille Lacs to determine pre-migratory numbers, flock sizes and locations. Counts were made from shore, boat and plane. On Lake Winnibigoshish, the highest count was recorded on October 21 with 1,599 loons. A final report on this study entitled "Fall Staging of the Common Loon on Lakes Winnibigoshish and Mille Lacs" will soon be published in the Loon, the journal of the Minnesota Ornithologists Union. On Lake Mille Lacs, the highest count total occurred on October 20 with 1,688 loons, a record high count for any lake in Minnesota at any time!