It’s Time to Participate in the 2015 North American Trumpeter Swan Survey!
The North American Trumpeter Swan Survey is the official population status assessment for this species. This survey was first conducted in 1968 and has been completed at five-year intervals since 1975. The survey involves cooperators from federal, state, and provincial agencies across the United States and Canada, as well as volunteers from non-government organizations and the public. The information resulting from this coordinated effort is used to assess and track population status, evaluate restoration efforts and inform development of conservation and management plans for this species. Here in Ontario, assistance is needed to survey Trumpeter Swans during winter 2015. Ontario covers a vast area, but is a province that has many people. Having many volunteers out looking for and reporting information will provide much new, invaluable information on swan abundance, geographic distribution and seasonal habitat use that is much needed for Trumpeter Swan conservation and management. Winter is an ideal time to survey because swans concentrate where there is open water and accessible food. The survey typically is conducted during a short period of time to minimize the possibility that birds will move and be counted elsewhere in the province. It is easy to participate in the Trumpeter Swan survey and to have a hand in contributing to their management and conservation. Trumpeter Swans are very conspicuous and can be easily distinguished from the two other swan species found in Ontario, the Tundra Swan and Mute Swan. The equipment required is minimal and the required information is easy to collect. Even not seeing any swans at a locale is important to record. Even though the focus of the survey is on Trumpeter Swans, observations of other waterfowl or any birds, especially notable winter sightings, are welcomed submissions. OFFICIAL SURVEY DATE 31 January 2015 (Saturday) / weather date: 1 February 2015 (Sunday) Note: swan data collected at any time during winter is useful and will be accepted, but data from within a day or so of the official survey day is most appropriate / valuable. WHERE AND HOW TO SURVEY Trumpeter swans can be found anywhere in Ontario with open water, check ice-free areas of lakes, ponds and rivers. Please respect private property and seek permission before accessing land. Surveyors may drive or walk survey areas and it is recommended to use binoculars, spotting scope, camera, etc. to count and reliably identify swans/birds. All information should be recorded on the provided data sheets. SWAN SPEICIES IDENTIFICATION The Trumpeter Swan Society’s website is an excellent information source to help with swan identification. This organization has produced a printable brochure that will help you distinguish between the three species of swan found in Ontario. · www.trumpeterswansociety.org/swan-identification.html USEFUL EQUIPMENT · Datasheets for recording survey information (see below for a sample and one for survey use) · Identification brochure from the Trumpeter Swan Society’s website · Binoculars/Spotting Scope · Camera (with zoom lens), aids with reading/documenting wing tags and species identification. WHERE TO SEND COMPLETED DATA FORMS & SURVEY-RELATED QUESTIONS · E-mail: [email protected] · Post: Ontario Trumpeter Swan Restoration, 1482 4th Concession West, RR 1, Troy, ON L0R 2B0 Survey forms can be downloaded from Wye Marsh: http://www.wyemarsh.com/usercontent/PDFs/Global_Swan_Count.pdf If you would like a Word version of the form please email us at [email protected] _______________________________________________ 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
