A recent exchange on Tweeters about swans in the Neah Bay area caused me
to review my records for the past four winters for Clallam and Jefferson
Counties.
My experience would bear out what Dennis Paulson says that
Trumpeters(TrSw) are the more common on the Peninsula. I have 21 records of
TrSw (8 from Jefferson) and only one for Tundra(TuSw). The latter was a flock
of 30 on the Waatch Estuary near Neah Bay on 4-6-94 seen with Bill Tweit and
the late date suggests a migratory flock.
I have seen swans on the Duckabush Estuary probably every time I pass
there in season and all were TrSw where I was able to determine the species
(they spend a lot of time sleeping and I need an exposed head for definite
ID). There are usually a few to 15 at Crocker Lake and Lake LeLand (both just
south of WA 104 on or just off
US 101). The largest flocks in Clallam are said to be at Lake Aldwell on the
Lower Elwah with up to 59 being reported there (they are favorites of those
fighting removal of the Elwah Dams - save the swans signs have been up in the
past). I see TrSw's most frequently in the Sequim-Dungeness area as a family
group feeding in a field and have seen family groups several times in the
Waatch
Estuary vicinity near Neah Bay.
I personally use the Canvasback like head profile of the TrSw for ID. The
TuSw has a rounder head, a smaller appearing bill with a somewhat concave
upper mandible. Adults almost always have a yellow spot (but it may be so
small that it is difficult to see). As we get further into spring ID becomes
much easier as the TrSw immatures are still very gray while the TuSw's have
become white (but don't have a yellow spot on the bill to make matters
confusing).
I called Bill Twiet for swan advice early in my WA phase, and he, always
diplomatic, said that as he grew older, he found that the the hardest birds
to identify were the all white birds and the all black birds. I liked that.
Finally, it is my impression that in SW WA the majority of swans (90%)
are TuSw and in the Vancouver, BC area the proportion is reversed. I am sure
someone can be more definite on that subject.
Bob Norton
Joyce, WA (near Port Angeles)
norton360 at aol.com
(360) 928-3053