did think it a bit odd that a pair of wild swans would decide to hang out on the lake in the middle of Cochrane, but stranger things have happened. The birds were wary of people and tended to quickly drift away instead of looking for a handout. However, I learned this morning that the birds were released by the town. Cochrane has kept a pair of Mute Swans on the lake for several years, but last year they caused a lot of problems so the town hot new birds this year.
Even though I now knew that these were domestic birds, I went back this afternoon to get a better look. Both birds have Trumpeter-like head shapes. One bird has yellow that extends to the eye and appears to have a yellow eyelid. I didn't notice any yellow on the lower mandible. The birds made a few soft honks reminiscent of Trumpeter Swans, not tundras. Given the amount of yellow on the bill and the fact that they are domestic, it's more likely that these are Whooper Swans. Unfortunately the town website and newspaper don't say anything about them. I plan to ask the town what species they are. Message me privately if you'd like to know. Rhonda Sent from my iPad > On May 28, 2014, at 1:45 AM, Rhonda Donley via ONTBIRDS > <[email protected]> wrote: > > Around 8 pm this evening (May 27) I saw a pair of swans at the south end of > Commando Lake. Both birds had more yellow on the bill than typical Tundra > Swans, but one of the birds had an extensive, somewhat raised, patch of > yellow covering half of the upper mandible. By the time I remembered that my > phone has a camera, the birds had drifted too far away for a good photo. I > heard someone say the birds had just arrived today. > > Sorry for the late post. I didn't get a chance to consult a bird guide until > now (and just noticed that ORBRC wants reports for this species/subspecies). > I will go back to the lake tomorrow to see if I can get some photos. > > Directions: Commando Lake is in the middle of the town of Cochrane. From hwy > 11 (the Trans-Canada Hwy), go north on 3rd Ave (this is where the highway > turns west; instead of turning to follow the highway, continue north into > town). Cross the railroad tracks and immediately turn right onto Railroad > Street. Stay on this street until you get to the lake (on your left). > > Rhonda > > Sent from my iPad > _______________________________________________ > ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial > birding organization. > Send bird reports to [email protected] > For information about ONTBIRDS including how to unsubscribe visit > http://www.ofo.ca/site/page/view/information.ontbirdssetup > Posting guidelines can be found at > http://www.ofo.ca/site/page/view/information.ontbirdsguide > > _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to [email protected] For information about ONTBIRDS including how to unsubscribe visit http://www.ofo.ca/site/page/view/information.ontbirdssetup Posting guidelines can be found at http://www.ofo.ca/site/page/view/information.ontbirdsguide
