A Tundra Swan Fly Over

Over the next few weeks, watch the sky, rivers, and lakes for large, white, long-necked birds emitting a high- pitched whooping sound. These flocks of migrating birds are Tundra Swans passing through Pennsylvania on their journey south. Tundra Swans undergo one of the longest migrations known for waterfowl, traveling from nesting grounds in the arctic slope of Alaska and northern Canada to their wintering grounds on the Atlantic coast.

The movements and timing of migration are poorly known for this species therefore it is difficult to identify the important breeding, wintering and staging habitats that the birds use. In Pennsylvania, the tundra swan is an important and highly visible waterfowl species but despite the interest in the birds, there is little information available on the habitat use and preferences, population dynamics and movements of swans wintering in the Commonwealth. Because identification of key migration habitats is necessary to protect these areas from future threats, wildlife biologists in several states in the Atlantic Flyway are now utilizing satellite technology in order to track the swan's annual migrations, movements and important stopover locations. This information will be used to identify management actions necessary for managing the species and for investigating the feasibility of a Tundra Swan hunting season in Pennsylvania.

For more information on efforts to learn more about Tundra Swan movements, see Tracking Tundra Swans, by John P. Dunn at www.pgc.state.pa.us.

Today's photos are courtesy of Hal Korber.

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