Birders,

This afternoon when I visited Mamit Lake, south of Logan Lake,
B.C., there were NO SWANS on the lake, and the flock of 400 or so
Canada Geese that has been there had dropped to 80 or so. The number
of Tundra Swans had also dropped sharply at the west end of Nicola
Lake (22 today compared with 43 on Nov. 11) and at Guichon Flats,
where only about 6 were seen, although it was getting dark and a
complete count could not be made.
The last sighting of the 3 WHOOPER SWANS at Mamit Lake was two
days ago, on Nov. 17. It seems probable that they have moved on
farther south.
Maybe it would be worth checking known Tundra Swan migration
stopovers in Washington and Oregon. One spot I know that has large
numbers of Tundra Swans in spring, and I presume in fall as well, is
Atkins Lake, on U.S. Highway 2 in Douglas County, Wa, between
Waterville and Coulee City. This locality is close to being due south
from Mamit Lake. Or how about Summer Lake, OR, which has hosted a
Whooper Swan previously? (I am assuming-- perhaps incorrectly-- that
the birds will stay east of the Cascades for a while.)
In any case, I am betting we have not heard the last of these
Whooper Swans.
Thanks to everyone who reported their observations of the Whooper
Swans to me, to BCINTBIRD and TWEETERS, and to the Vancouver Rare Bird
Alert. I am gratified that the swans stayed as long as they did (11
days) at Mamit Lake, and that so many people were able to see these
beautiful birds.
Happy swan-searching!

Wayne C. Weber
114-525 Dalgleish Drive
Kamloops, B.C. V2C 6E4
Phone: (604) 377-8865
wayne_weber at bc.sympatico.ca