Hello Ont Birders.
My current estimate is that there are
about 17,000 TUNDRA SWANS at the back of the LAMBTON COUNTY MUSEUM
down GREENWAY RD. and 150 SNOW GEESE. The 8 ROSS'GEESE are still
there too. They are the slightly smaller white geese with black
wingtips and are with the SNOW GEESE over the other side of the flooded field.
Only a top-of-the-line telescope will let you see the bluish base to
their tiny bills.
The Swans are in two large flocks, one of which is in the flooded
field on the south side of the Rd. The second flock is about a
kilometer behind the first flock.
A sunny morning, the earlier the better is the best time to see and
photograph the birds.
Please do not approach the birds and getting out of the vehicle
except down Greenway Rd. is counter productive because the swans will
either move away or fly off.
Please note. THE SWANS ARE PROTECTED and anyone causing them any
disturbance is quite likely to be charged by the Game Warden.
A model aircraft was reportedly flown over the swans to get some
photos with an air-borne camera. That is a No-No and is currently
being investigated.
These are TUNDRA SWANS and are not to be confused with the MUTE SWANS
which are an Alien species and are the cause of great concern because
of the damage they do to other species like drowning ducklings near
their nests.
Although Mute Swans are protected in Ontario, they are good eating
and in England were reserved for Royalty. They are the ones with
orange bills and a black knob on the forehead. They are to be found
in many parks because of their decorative properties and are now
starting to establish their own colonies around the Gt
Lakes. Ugh! Saginaw Bay in Michigan has a colony.
The TUNDRA SWANS winter on the East Coast and this is a 'Staging
Area' and is probably the largest remaining site in Ontario.
Many years ago 20,000 were counted---it took me 3/4 of an hour and
then an estimated 2,000 flew in to join them. So up to 22,000 swans
can be here at one time.
Absolutely stunning viewing. This spectacle is now being the
subject of "THE FESTIVAL OF THE SWANS" being celebrated by the
LAMBTON COUNTY MUSEUM, helped by members of 'The Friends Of Pinery
Park' and members of Lambton Wildlife Inc. The Swans will have all
left by the first week of April heading almost Westward to Manitoba
before they turn and fan out Northwards to the Tundra that extends
from the mountains in the far west Eastwards to Hudsons Bay.
There is a Western population that stays to the west of the mountains.
Flying over the Tundra in July many ponds have a nest of brown weeds
with two white dots on it. Once I saw two TIMBER WOLVES patrolling
the banks of the ponds below the aircraft.
A visit to the Lambton County Museum with its changing exhibits and
also the current Art Show is another local highligh and hard to miss.
Hope that all readers will bring their children and Grand children to
intriduce them to such a natural wonder.
On Saturday and Sunday there will be Park Staff and local local
birders with their telescopes for both adults and Children to get
beautiful views unless there is heavy rain!
SEE YOU THERE?
Alf.
_______________________________________________
ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial
birding organization.
Send bird reports to ONTBIRDS mailing list [email protected]
For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/
