Subject: Fw: [bcintbird] Whooper Swans
Date: Nov 8 21:07:29 1999
From: WAYNE WEBER - WAYNE_WEBER at bc.sympatico.ca


Hi birders,

As described below by Mary Collins of Vernon, the WHOOPER SWAN
family was still at the south end of Mamit Lake, between Merritt and
Logan Lake, this morning (Monday, November 8). However, the Whoopers
were NOT there at 11:00 A.M. today, when Ralph and Clara Ritcey of
Kamloops looked for them. Ralph reported that there were only about 55
swans at the south end of the lake, down considerably from the 90 to
95 swans seen there yesterday and seen earlier in the morning by Mary
and Phil Gehlen. A number of swans were seen flying around the area by
Ralph.
It is quite possible that the Whooper Swans have not left the
area, but are at another nearby lake. However, if you plan to drive
some distance to look for them, be prepared for a search and for
possible disappointment.
Besides Mamit Lake, other nearby places where swans were seen by
Andy Raniseth and me, all of them along Highway 5A east and northeast
of Merritt, were:

(1) west end of Nicola Lake (about 12 to 13 km east of downtown
Merritt)-- about 20 Tundra Swans.

(2) Nicola Lake beaches near Quilchena Creek mouth (about 23.5 km east
of downtown Merritt)-- 22 Tundra Swans, with at least 1000 Canada
Geese. These are best seen from the first pullout on Highway 5A west
of Quilchena, although the view is very distant. Andy and I also saw a
RED-THROATED LOON, highly unusual in the B.C. Interior, in the lake
opposite this pullout.

(3) Guichon Flats (Beaver Ranch Flats), a large marsh about 2 km north
of the north end of Nicola Lake. I counted 129 Tundra Swans here in
the late afternoon of Nov. 6. When Andy and I drove past here the next
day, there seemed to be somewhat fewer swans (I would say 90 to 100),
but we did not do an exact count. Several swans also flew in from the
south.
On Nov. 6, there were also about 6 swans at the Guichon Ranch
ponds, about 1 km south of Guichon Flats.

If somebody really wants to look for the Whooper Swans in the next
day or two, I would suggest trying Mamit Lake first, and if
unsuccessful there, try the other 3 spots mentioned above.
If anyone sees the swans again, I would ask that they post a
message to Tweeters and/or contact the Vancouver Rare Bird Alert
(604-737-3074), or possibly phone Rick Howie in Kamloops at (250)
578-7542. I will be out of town from Nov. 11 to 15 and will be unable
to provide updates on the swans.

By the way, Mary is correct that Mamit Lake is also known as
Mamette Lake (both names are used locally), although Mamit Lake is the
gazetted name which is used on government maps.

Good luck to any and all in relocating (oops-- rediscovering??)
the Whooper Swans!

Sincerely,

Wayne C. Weber
Kamloops, B.C.
wayne_weber at bc.sympatico.ca


-----Original Message-----
From: Kathleen M Collins <macko at telus.net>
To: bcintbird at e-groups.com <bcintbird at e-groups.com>
Date: Monday, November 08, 1999 6:35 PM
Subject: [bcintbird] Whooper Swan


>Hi birders,
>This morning Phil Gehlen and I drove to Mamit or Mamette Lk.(I'm not
>sure of the spelling) south of Logan Lake. Took us a little over two
>hours from Vernon via Kamloops. There were some Kamloops birders
>already "on" the bird when we arrived. We had great views of the
>Whooper Swan, the two young and a TUSW that seemed to be "keeping
>company" with them. We saw 4 TRSWs and up to 90 or more TUSWs on that
>lake. Then to Merritt for an early lunch at the A.B.C. and home via
>Quilchena, Beaver flats, Campbell Creek, Barnhartvale etc. Could not
>find the MUSW but saw at least 350 swans altogether, a dozen or more
>Trumpeters and several hundred Tundras.
>A great day and thanks to Wayne, Rick and others for letting us know,
>Mary Collins.
>
>