Trumpeter Swan Population Dynamics

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Watching a flock of Trumpeter Swans fly in unison is as marvelous of a sight, but it’s easy to forget by 1900, Trumpeter Swans were near extinction across North America due to overharvest and habitat alteration. As the populations declined, their migrations to traditional wintering areas were almost totally destroyed. By the 1940s, only about 100 trumpeters survived in western Canada. After decades of conservation efforts, the Western Canada population has begun to reoccupy vacant breeding habitat in Alberta, British Columbia, the Yukon, and the Northwest Territories and now numbers about 4,700 swans.

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A Reynolds - I learned recently that many of the lakes and ponds that are otherwise ideal nesting/rearing habitat for swans cannot be used for the simple reason they are too small for the young of the year to take off in the Fall when they are learning to fly. The swan parents must choose carefully when they select a nesting site, or their brood will be trapped by the approaching winter before the young gain proficiency and strength to take to the air. I suspect they return to nesting sites that are suitable, year after year.

Last Fall I counted 18 swans at Meiers Lake along the Richardson Hwy., more than I have ever seen there before…nice to see some species recovering from mankind’s depredations.

As always I love to see and read your posts Laurent.

judy robb - Breathtaking!

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