Dear Birders,

The 3 WHOOPER SWANS-- 1 adult and 2 immatures-- at Mamit Lake,
B.C. (on Highway 97C between Logan Lake and Merritt, B.C.), have been
seen every day from their discovery on November 7 through Sunday,
November 14th, usually at or near the south end of the lake. So far, I
have not heard any reports of the birds being seen yesterday, November
15. However, the Nicola Valley and other nearby valleys had fog down
to ground level at least part of the day yesterday, and it may have
been hard to see the swans even if you did visit the lake.
Observers are cautioned that the swans are not always readily
visible, and patience may be needed to find them. I visited the lake
on the afternoon of November 11 and again early on the morning of
November 12 and, despite a careful search, could not find the Whoopers
either time. There is a small island near the south end of Mamit Lake,
and several observers have reported that they disappeared behind the
island (as viewed from Highway 97C) while under observation. Although
the Whoopers have been seen in flight several times, they have not
been seen (to my knowledge) anywhere else but Mamit Lake, despite the
presence of dozens of Tundra Swans at other nearby localities (west
end of Nicola Lake, Guichon Flats).
Thanks to the numerous observers who posted their Whooper Swan
sightings to either TWEETERS or BCINTBIRD while I was out of town
(November 12 to 14). Thanks also to Larry Cowan who has provided daily
updates on the Vancouver Rare Bird Alert (604-737-3074). I will try to
provide continuing updates, at least if I hear of sightings by local
observers who do not have E-mail. So far, I estimate that well over
100 birders have seen the Whooper Swans. With luck, they will stay
long enough for a few more birders to see them.

Wayne C. Weber
Kamloops, B.C.
Phone: (250) 377-8865
wayne_weber at bc.sympatico.ca