Subject: swans
Date: Mar 28 20:44:37 1997
From: "Martha Jordan" - marthaj at premier1.net


Hello,
Several comments have been made about swans, both trumpeter and
tundra,regarding last years nesting success as seen in wintering flocks.
The success in trumpeters was down last year due to the late wet spring
and an early fall. Normally we see about 22% juveniles, and after a winter
of mortality it levels at around 15-18%. This past year we started with
about 16% and it went down from there. Tundra swan success was
approximately normal, perhaps down slightly but not outside a long-term
fluctuation.
What the observers may be seeing with tundra's are the flocks of
non-breeding birds gathering on their way north with only a family or two
tagging along. They may also be seeing breeding birds who have already
seperated from their young who are making the journey with the flocks of
non-breeders (this may account for seeing juveniles in flocks of mostly
adult birds, no families). I have observed all of these scenarios in
migrating flocks of tundras here in Washington and in Alaska.
Trumpeter families may also seperate here in Washington for the journey
north. I have observed several families break up with the parents leaving
up to a week before the juveniles. The juveniles may join a non-breeding
group of birds for the journey north although some have been observed going
with their siblings to Alaska before joining non-breeding flocks on the
summer areas.

I will appreciate any information or observations you have on swans (all
species) as they once again make the journey north this spring.

Martha Jordan
Washington Swan Working Group
marthaj at premier1.net
(206)787-0258