Dear Birders,

At about 11:30 A.M. today, November 7, Andy Raniseth and I
discovered three WHOOPER SWANS-- an adult accompanied by two immature
birds-- at the south end of Mamit Lake, near Merritt, B.C. We left the
area about 12 noon. Mamit Lake, a moderate-sized lake about 3.5 km
long and 0.5 km wide, is located along Provincial Highway 97C between
Merritt and Logan Lake. The south end of the lake, where the Whooper
Swans were seen, along with at least 87 TUNDRA SWANS and 2 TRUMPETER
SWANS, is located about 16 km (10 miles) south of Logan Lake.
Most of the swans were resting on the mudflats along the edge of
the lake, or feeding along the shoreline. The WHOOPER SWANS were at
the extreme western edge of the scattered-out flock of swans, farthest
from the highway (about 500 metres away). Despite the distance, the
lighting conditions were excellent, with sunshine illuminating the
birds from our left-hand side.
This group of swans was seen again by Rick Howie and Syd Roberts
of Kamloops, between about 3:00 and 3:30 P.M. This time, they were
much closer to the highway, actually along the east side of Mamit Lake
(the side the highway is on). I was going to report these as
"probable" Whooper Swans, because of the distance at which they were
seen and my lack of previous experience with either Whooper or
Bewick's Swans. However, Rick and Syd saw them much closer than Andy
and I, and are adamant about the identification being positive, so I
will accept their conclusion.
The adult bird had a bill which was mainly yellow, and this
brilliant colour stood out like a sore thumb even at a distance of 500
metres (about 1/3 of a mile). The lower mandible was black; the upper
mandible was black along the culmen for most of its length, and for a
short distance on each side of the culmen, but was mainly bright
yellow. The yellow extended into a point near the tip of the bill, as
shown for Whooper Swan in a number of field guides. The size of the
bird, in comparison to the other swans, was hard to judge at 500
metres. However, the size and proportions of the bird definitely
resembled a Trumpeter Swan more than a Tundra Swan. In particular, I
noted that the bird frequently adopted the "kink-necked" at-ease
posture which is characteristic of both Trumpeter and Whooper Swans,
but not of Tundra Swans (including Bewick's Swans). No calls
attributable to the Whooper Swans were heard in 30 minutes of
observation, although the Tundra Swans were quite vocal.
I will try to send out more detailed descriptions of the 3 birds
later, or ask Rick or Syd if they can do so.
The question of whether these birds were wild or were escaped
captives is a valid one. Some other Canadian sightings of this species
have been considered to be probably escaped captives (Godfrey, Birds
of Canada, 1986). However, because there was a family group of 3 birds
(missing one of the adults); because they were with a migratory
concentration of other swans; and because the locality is close to
(though not on) the Pacific Coast, I consider it highly probable that
these swans were of wild origin.
For those interested in coming to look for the Whooper Swans:
Mamit Lake is a known Tundra Swan staging area, both spring and fall,
and it is quite likely that the Whooper Swans may stay in the area for
7 to 10 days or more. However, all swans have normally left this area
by the end of November. Washington and Oregon birders, be forewarned--
the Whooper Swans may be headed your way!!

Wayne C. Weber
114-525 Dalgleish Drive
Kamloops, B.C. V2C 6E4
Phone: (250) 377-8865
wayne_weber at bc.sympatico.ca