Subject: [Tweeters] Whooper Swan - Yes!
Date: Dec 26 11:33:21 2006
From: Ryan Merrill - rmerrill27 at gmail.com


This morning I arrived at the spot just S of Snohomish on Hwy 9 just before
8:00, but upon only seeing a couple swans continued up to Marsh Road where I
found two large groups of several hundred swans. The closest group I could
see clearly with binoculars and continually scanned, though the farther
group was a bit far to scan effectively w/o a scope. Fortunately for me the
swans were slowly leaving and flying S/SE in small flocks. Around 8:45 one
of the groups contained the Whooper. I had a few seconds after spotting it
to see the large amount of yellow extending across the top of the bill and
down the sides. The group of swans it was with continued flying S/SE until
I lost sight of it over the hill. I checked Bob Heirman Park where there
were about 30 swans, but no Whooper. Just south of there on Elliott Road
there was another flock of 150+ swans which I was very optomistic about, but
after scanning 25+ times I couldn't come up with it.

So based on today's experience I would suggest getting to Marsh Road first
thing in the morning and scanning the flock of swans as they wake up. With
a scope it should be findable fairly easily, and without one you still stand
a decent chance of seeing it as it flies over. Viewing from Marsh Road
seemed a bit more pleasant since there was less traffic, but still be
careful. I watched from my car.

Good Luck!

Ryan Merrill
Kirkland, WA