Swans

[greendale]

Anyone wanting a good look or photo of swans there has been about three dozen the last few days in the South West quadrant at Hopedale and Adams Road in Greendale.

Would they be tundra or trumpter swans? I have trouble telling the difference.

I have been told tundra swans are a little smaller than trumpters as well they have a small orange spot at the base of their upper mandible.

Merry Christmas to all and best of New Years.

[Gord]

Ive seen both this year. Mostly trumpeter, but a few tundra as well. A topic on identification can be found here.

www.bcbirding.proboards3.com/index.cgi?board=identification&action=display&n=1&thread=862

Thanks for the info!

[greendale]

Thanks for the link. It is sure good to see these species in our area in good numbers.

I remember back when I first came to the Valley in the 60's you hardly saw any of them.

Is there any estimate on the numbers that are now over wintering say from Hope down to the Fraser River Estuary?

[kastern]

Must have been a good year for Trumpeter Swans. Yesterday morning I saw a family with 5 young ones. Have never seen that large a family before. Have noticed quite a few families with 4 young in the last few years but I think to have 5 is a bit unusual.

Kathy

[kastern]

Here is a picture of the family of swans with 5 young.

[kastern]

This is a test to see if I can get the picture bigger.

[kastern]

Sorry guys. It takes me a while to figure out how to do these thing.
Kathy

[Gord]

Nice work Kathy! The light is really nice there...must be towards evening? Beautiful picture.

Ive noticed quite a few pairs with 4 young ones this year too. No five young familes yet. Im not sure if they are like ducks and geese where lost cyngets will join another family, and if so, you'd maybe expect to see familes of 5 and 6 often.

Regardless, large families when not as common before is encouraging to see. I think the above family were lucky to avoid the hazards that usually takes a % of young animals in their first few months.

[kastern]

Actually the swan picture was taken in the early morning - about 8:30 am. The sun (yes there actually was sun at least for a short while that day) was just coming up which resulted in the lighting.

Kathy