The Magic of the Tundra Swan Migration
December 5, 2007
This time of year the tundra swan returns to the wintering grounds here in North Carolina along the coast and it is a sight to behold. The whole concept of how a creature can fly from Canada and Alaska every year and back is a pretty amazing feat when you think about it. I had heard from some folks in that part of the state that the swans were beginning to return with some numbers this past week and so I felt an urge this past Sunday to take a ride that direction to have a look. I think part of my fascination with the swan is the haunting call it makes and the similarities of the call with that of the loon we listened to often on summer nights in New England.
We rode down to Lake Mattamuskeet National Wildlife Refuge on Sunday and I got some great photographs and took in the sights and sounds of the birds returning to their wintering grounds. I’m running a lot of the photos I took on Mooses Wild America this week so be sure to check them out as well.
There is an opportunity for schools in the area of the wintering grounds to get involved in research on the Tundra Swan that is being conducted by Sylvan Heights Waterfowl Park. They are looking for assistance with banding and tracking tundra swan along their migration route.
Sylvan Heights Director of Education Dan Louk is excited about the opportunity the project presents to Valley youngsters. “This is a real-world research project they can not only observe, but also become involved in,” said Louk. He added there is still time and room for more schools to participate, but the window of opportunity is closing fast.
In addition to participating as a group at Sylvan Heights, Louk said the students will also keep in touch with other groups of students all along the migratory track from North Carolina to Alaska. “The students will actually exchange data that all can benefit and learn from. Since the birds winter almost exclusively in North Carolina, the students here will study the wintering behavior patterns which are very different from the behavior in the breeding grounds in Alaska, which will be studied and reported on by students there,” said Louk.
This sounds like a great opportunity for people interested in helping with research to get involved. The North Carolina Wildlife Commission has been participating in researching the tundra swan for some time and has a fascinating website where you can learn about some of the research they have conducted. They have some migration studies they did back a few years ago and although it is no longer being up dated you can see the travel routes of many of the swans they banded and attached tracking devices to during that time. It’s certainly a site worth checking out if your like me and just a little bit fascinated by the distances these creatures fly each year.
I’ll be doing my part to help with the research on these birds when I participate in the hunting aspect. As one of the limited 5,000 permits drawn this year I’ll complete a survey after my hunt reporting what type of bird I took and answer a few other questions. In addition to that should I or any other hunter take a banded bird there is a reporting mechanism for that to help get the information to researchers so they are aware that a banded bird has been taken.
Within the waterfowl hunting community there is an honor in taking a banded bird and often you’ll see hunters with bands attached to their duck calls. As hunters we realize the important role we play in the conservation of the specie as well as the protection of the habitat that allows these birds to flourish.
The tundra swan is a magnificent creature and if you get the chance you should make a point of visiting Mattamuskeet Wildlife Refuge this winter and see them.
Moose Droppings is a place that chronicles my journey, Ill explore new places and ideas Ill learn new things and Ill teach the things Ive learned to others. Join me on the adventure and hopefully it will help you in your outdoor endeavors.
Great story, it makes me want to get in my car and head down that way. I have always seen the draw in Virginia for the Tundra Swan Permit, and I think now I am going to have to start putting in for that permit.
Kevin